I have IBS with Lactose Intolerance and 20lbs of baby weight to loose. HELP!

Hi Jami,

Unfortunately, there is no sure fire cure for IBS. As with most gastrointestinal issues, everyone reacts to foods differently. Usually high fat foods are one culprit with IBS, but I encourage you to keep a food diary to see which foods cause reactions for you. Start by writing down everything that you eat along with when you have reactions. You should begin to see a pattern, if you notice that you always have a reaction after certain foods or certain types of foods - eliminate them and see if your IBS improves. Many people who have lactose intolerance can eat yogurt, which is a great source of calcium. You can also try low-fat soy milk as a substitute for milk.

The good news is that IBS and lactose intolerance shouldn't prevent you from following a weight loss program. Once you determine which foods you can't eat, concentrate on the one's you can and start cutting calories. You don't need to cut out entire foods groups to decrease calories, start by decreasing your portion sizes.

The most successful weight loss programs include diet and exercise. You can visit www.MyPyramid.gov to determine how many calories you should be eating each day in order to lose weight healthfully. A weight loss of no more than 2 pounds per week is recommended.

However, if you are breastfeeding you want to make sure that you are eating enough calories to support milk production. Women who are breastfeeding should consume an additional 500 calories each day to ensure that the quality of the milk they are producing is adequate. MyPyramid.gov also provides recommended calorie amounts for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should also check with your doctor before you begin exercising after giving birth.

Good luck and good health.

Heather Reese, MS, RD