Small dietary changes make a big difference
The following information is provided as a general guideline, as every person digests foods differently, and some people can tolerate foods that others cannot. Our goal is to share information and also to call attention to the fact that food DOES matter. For our readers suffering from digestive disorders, the foods that you eat can vitally affect the healing process. While your body is healing, you want to put the least amount of stress on the digestive system as possible. If you are having problems with your bowel movements (excessive bowel movements and/or constipation), it only makes sense that what you put in you body will affect the way it comes out.

Note that not every food is listed. If you are wondering whether you can tolerate a specific food, it may be a matter of trial and error. Ingest a small amount, wait, and if your condition does not worsen, it may be tolerable for you. Remember, everybody digests foods differently. Just listen to your body.

- Individuals with Diarrhea

Foods to Eat: White Rice, Ripe Bananas, Broth Soups, White Toast, Baked or Broiled Chicken, Fish and Turkey, Well-Cooked Vegetables

Foods to avoid: Dairy Products, Lettuce and other Raw Vegetables, Beans, Fresh and Dry Fruits (except bananas), Coffee, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft Drinks, Greasy, Fatty Fried Foods, Spicy Foods, Candy and Chocolate.

Tips: Drink lots of water to keep hydrated, eat small, frequent meals, chew your food well, and try to manage stress so that it doesn’t affect your body and its functions.

- Individuals with Constipation

Foods to Eat: Fresh Fruit (particularly prunes, figs and apricots), An Assortment of Raw Vegetables, Broth Soups, Baked or Broiled Chicken, Fish and Turkey, Prune Juice

Foods to Avoid: White Rice, Ripe Bananas, Peanuts, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft Drinks, Greasy, Fatty Fried Foods, Spicy Foods, Candy and Chocolate.

Tips: Drink lots of water, exercise, avoid laxatives and fiber supplements when possible, and try to manage stress so that it doesn’t affect your body and its functions.

Recommended herbal supplement: Dual-Action Cleanse

- Individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Follow the recommendations for diarrhea and/or constipation, if either one is a problem for you.

Tips: Drink lots of water, avoid carbonated beverages, caffeine, dairy products, limit consumption of beans, broccoli and cabbage if gas is a problem for you, and try to manage stress so that it doesn’t affect your body and its functions.

Recommended herbal supplement: Bowtrol Colon Health

- Individuals with Heartburn, Acid Reflux, GERD, Gastritis and Ulcers

Foods to Eat: Eat the foods that you have noted your body tolerates well, and also raw vegetables and Papaya, Drink Chamomile Tea

Foods to Avoid: Citrus Fruits and Juices, Tomatoes, Onions, Carbonated Beverages, Greasy, Fatty Fried Foods, Candy and Chocolate, Highly Processed Foods, Peppermint, Spearmint, Spicy Foods

Tips: Drink lots of water, chew your food well, and try to manage stress so that it doesn’t affect your body and its functions.

Individuals with Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis

Foods to Eat: Baked or Broiled Chicken, Fish and Turkey, Broth Soups, White Toast, Well-Cooked Vegetables, Fresh Fruit (particularly prunes, figs and apricots), an Assortment of Raw Vegetables (if you don’t suffer from diarrhea)

Foods to Avoid: all Nuts, Seeds, and Fruits and Vegetables that contain Seeds, and Kernels (including Corn and Popcorn), Coffee, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft Drinks, Greasy, Fatty Fried Foods, Spicy Foods, Candy and Chocolate.

Tips: Drink lots of water, try to manage stress so that it doesn’t affect your body and its functions.

- Individuals who Follow a Vegetarian Diet

Foods to Eat: Soybean Products (Tofu, Soy Milk, Soy Oil, Soy Flour, Soy Based Meat Substitutes, Soy Cheeses, etc)

Foods to Avoid: Follow the information that corresponds to your symptoms or diagnosis

Tips: Drink lots of water, take a high potency vitamin supplement, and try to manage stress so that it doesn’t affect your body and its functions.

Recommended vitamins: Multi Vitamin for Women

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine states,”Genetically Modified foods have not been properly tested and pose a serious health risk. There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation.”

Last May the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) called on “Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM (genetically modified) foods when possible and provide educational materials concerning GM foods and health risks.” They called for a moratorium on GM foods, long-term independent studies, and labeling.

AAEM’s position paper stated, “Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food,” including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. They conclude, “There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation,” as defined by recognized scientific criteria. “The strength of association and consistency between GM foods and disease is confirmed in several animal studies.”

More and more doctors are already prescribing GM-free diets. Dr. Amy Dean, a Michigan internal medicine specialist, and board member of AAEM says, “I strongly recommend patients eat strictly non-genetically modified foods.” Ohio allergist Dr. John Boyles says “I used to test for soy allergies all the time, but now that soy is genetically engineered, it is so dangerous that I tell people never to eat it.”

Dr. Jennifer Armstrong, President of AAEM, says, “Physicians are probably seeing the effects in their patients, but need to know how to ask the right questions.” World renowned biologist Pushpa M. Bhargava goes one step further. After reviewing more than 600 scientific journals, he concludes that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a major contributor to the sharply deteriorating health of Americans.

Among the population, biologist David Schubert of the Salk Institute warns that “children are the most likely to be adversely effected by toxins and other dietary problems” related to GM foods. He says without adequate studies, the children become “the experimental animals.”