I’ve talked a few times on my blog about my “I’m allergic to food” diet, which is a headline I stole from an article written about me in a college newspaper. Well this month is “IBS Awareness Month,” making it the perfect time to inform everyone about the syndrome that runs my everyday life. (You know how guys think about sex every 7 seconds? Well I don’t think about IBS that often, but it is quite frequent throughout that day.)
If you had asked me a few months ago how I felt about having IBS, I would have looked at you with a “did-you-seriously-just-ask-me-that” look and cry. These days though I’ve really come to accept this mysterious syndrome that prevents me from enjoying almost all common foods (dairy, gluten, caffeine, alcohol, red meats and anything high in fat).
RIP fast food; you are missed.
The way I look at it, if I were to incorporate these foods into my diet I would be miserable. The benefits of not eating certain foods will always outweigh the sacrifice. Lately I’ve actually enjoyed certain aspects of having IBS: I’ve been cooking, focusing on my interests (as opposed to going out to the bars four times a week), become really healthy and I’ve really learned a lot about myself, which is important as a 22-year-old.
This is me- IBS and all- and I’m happy with myself.
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I’ve included the article (found at UWeekly.com) if you would like to read more!
The “I’m allergic to food” diet
Many Ohio State University students have fond memories of late-night fried-food eating at 2 a.m. Senior Lindsay Wiese has some of those memories too, but those types of meals became a thing of the past when her food allergies intensified.
After many painful days in the beginning of her freshman year, Wiese discovered that she was lactose intolerant and consequently unable to properly digest dairy products.
“A lot of food allergies start happening – one when your body starts changing, and two during any stressful or changing period of your life. So I think that’s why it started freshman year,” Wiese said.
However, throughout her sophomore and junior years, the food-related illnesses continued.
“I started taking wheat out of my diet, which helped a lot, but it still wasn’t 100 percent. I had an endoscopy and discovered that it actually wasn’t Celiac Disease [Gluten allergy], but IBS,” Wiese said. “It’s actually worse [than Celiac], and it has the worst name ever – Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It just sounds gross.”
There are varying degrees of IBS. Wiese’s severe case means that she can’t have foods high in fat – so no red meat or pork, no deep fried chicken or foods made with a lot of oil or butter. She also has a gluten sensitivity similar to Celiac Disease, a lactose intolerance, and can’t consume caffeine and or alcohol.
“I still go out once in awhile, but it’s really hard to be around a lot of really drunk people. I end up drinking lots of Sprite,” Wiese said.
Restaurants pose another challenge for Wiese. Fortunately Columbus does have some gluten-free, lactose-free outlets.
Wiese’s favorite is the Pad Thai at Haiku in the Short North. She can eat sushi, provided that she flavors it only with gluten-free soy sauce. Her other favorites are P.F. Chang’s and Noodles and Company – both of which offer gluten-free options.
Wiese is also excited about trying Z Pizza, which offers full vegan menu.
She’s said goodbye to her coffee addiction and love of study break chocolate and began making life and attitude changes. Part of that entailed getting a cookbook tailored to those with IBS and swapping meal ideas via Twitter @IBSyndrome.
“It’s nice because, being in a college (environment), there aren’t really people I can relate to,” Wiese said.
A typical lunch for her isn’t much different from anyone else making a sandwich. She uses gluten-free rice bread, turkey, lettuce and French’s Mustard, because it’s already gluten-free without having to shop for a special kind.
As content as she is with the changes she has had to make to her diet, there are still some campus staples she misses.
“I miss French fries so much. I just want to go to Mad Mex and get waffle fries so badly! Panera’s soup in a bread bowl – I miss that too,” Wiese said. “I live vicariously through what other people eat.”
Other than diet choices, she also takes pills to stay healthy. In addition to fiber supplements twice a day and a probiotic, Wiese said she takes anti-depressants, not for depression but because they have been shown to balance out how the brain works with her stomach.
Overall, she has a positive attitude and outlook.
“I used to be the type of person that if someone asked me to go out, I’d be out there in two seconds because I’d always feel that I was missing out on something, and now … I’ve learned that it’s okay to be by myself once in awhile and to really just enjoy things that I can do and try to encourage people to do them with me… like being outside or going to the movies. I’m really more comfortable with myself,” Wiese said.
