3 Common Mistakes I Made in My IBS Journey

It’s been almost two decades (!) since I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)—though I had been suffering long before that. Before the diagnosis, I went through numerous tests and long waits for specialist appointments, but when I finally got the diagnosis, it was underwhelming. Back then, there wasn’t as much information on IBS as there is now, so I was left with more questions than answers.

I was given a diagnosis, but no real treatment plan other than medication. When I asked about making dietary changes—since I noticed I felt worse after eating certain foods—I was told, “There’s nothing you can do.” I left the appointment more confused than when I arrived.

Fast forward to today, and my IBS is in remission. I now know exactly what works for my gut, and I’ve found the balance that keeps me feeling my best. But trust me, the journey wasn’t easy, and I made a lot of mistakes along the way. Here are the top three mistakes I made on my path to IBS remission—and how I finally turned things around:

Mistake #1: I Stayed on Elimination Diets for Too Long

When I first discovered the Low FODMAP diet, it was a game-changer. Finally, I found relief from gas, bloating, and irregular digestion! However, what I didn’t realize at the time was that the Low FODMAP diet is only meant to be followed for 6 weeks before starting the reintroduction phase. Reintroducing FODMAP groups is a crucial part of the process, as these foods are vital for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.

Instead of reintroducing foods after the 6-week phase, I stayed on the Low FODMAP diet for years, which ended up compromising the health of my gut microbiome even more. In hindsight, this was a major mistake, and it wasn’t until I started reintroducing foods that I saw real improvement.

Mistake #2: I Focused Too Much on What I Wasn’t Eating

If you search for “what to eat for IBS”, you’ll likely come across countless lists of foods to avoid but not much advice on what to include. At the time, I thought I was eating healthy because I avoided gluten, dairy, and junk food. But here’s the thing: eating the same handful of “healthy” foods week after week doesn’t nourish your gut properly.

While avoiding trigger foods is important, it’s equally essential to focus on the diversity of foods you are eating. A healthy gut thrives on variety, so incorporating a wide range of nutrient-dense foods is key to restoring balance to your digestive system.

Mistake #3: I Blamed Every Symptom on Food

I became hyper-focused on food sensitivities, assuming that every bloating episode, belch, or irregular bowel movement was a result of something I ate. This sent me down an endless spiral of elimination diets, constantly searching for new sensitivities.

I realized my mistake when I went on my first vacation in five years. Despite drinking alcohol and eating foods I thought I was sensitive to, my gut felt amazing. It turned out that stress management—something I hadn’t been paying attention to—was just as important as the food I was eating.

This was a major lightbulb moment: stress can have a huge impact on gut health, and sometimes it’s not just about food.

The Real Root Cause of IBS

Looking back, I made these mistakes because I didn’t fully understand how IBS develops. I focused too much on food sensitivities, when in reality, they’re just a symptom of IBS, not the root cause. Two key factors that contribute to IBS are:

1. Changes in the gut microbiome
2. A dysregulated nervous system

Once I shifted my focus to nourishing both my gut microbiome and nervous system, everything changed for the better.

Getting Help with IBS

If you’ve experienced chronic GI issues after taking antibiotics, getting sick while traveling, food poisoning, or a period of high stress, your gut microbiome likely needs some attention. Simply going on a gluten-free or dairy-free diet won’t address the underlying cause of IBS.

That’s where my 1:1 coaching comes in. I’ll help you get to the root cause of your IBS and integrate foods back into your diet—rather than just eliminating them. If you’re ready to overcome symptoms like gas, bloating, pain, and irregularity for good, click here to learn more.