I've known for quite awhile that something was definitely messed up with my digestive system; as it hasn't been "normal" since I was probably about 18 or 19 years old. It's gotten progressively worse, and then a couple of months ago it got out of control. I was in horrible pain and discomfort, bloating, cramping, and generally feeling like I was dying.
So I finally broke down and saw a doctor, who checked just about everything imaginable before diagnosing me with IBS. I was slightly annoyed with myself when I discovered that the relief of stress from now knowing I wasn't dying after all made a huge difference in my symptoms. The doctor told me that I was going to HAVE to find a way to manage my stress, and also keep track of what I eat and make note when something seems to hurt me; that way I can begin eliminating things from my diet.
I thought it sounded easy enough, but I found out really quick that I was very wrong. It seemed like almost every meal I had, something was causing me pain, but I didn't know why.
So I had to start keeping a food diary. Not just with the MEALS I was having (i.e. "Spaghetti" or "tacos"), but the individual ingredients in those meals. Then I could start to see, "oh...maybe it's the kale that was in the salad yesterday, since it was also in my pasta today."
Granted, stress plays a HUGE role in my IBS symptoms...probably more than any of the food triggers, but there are still so many foods causing pain that I haven't figured out yet.
It's a long and, frankly, disheartening process. Sometimes it feels like there's nothing at all wrong with me...and then I eat lunch. Then I feel like I'm being torn apart from the inside. Going out to eat is hard. Going over to people's houses for dinner is hard. Hell, eating at home is hard! That's why I've thrown together this little printable for myself and for anyone else who might have use of it. It's an easy way to keep track of the foods I'm eating, what time I'm eating them, and how they're affecting me. It's helped me to discover that popcorn messes with my stomach (WHY does the universe hate me, btw?), lactose banishes me to the bathroom for the next couple of hours, and too much wheat makes my belly swell up like a balloon.
So here you go; feel free to print this bad boy out as many times as you like! If you'd like a sheet without my name at the bottom, head over to here buy a brand-free copy in my Etsy shop. Click the picture below to be taken to the printable PDF file, and enjoy!
I hope this is as useful a tool for you as it is for me!
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