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Cooked apples seem to help my ibs-d (I think!)

I am not saying this would help everyone. But after being unable to eat any fruit for ages, for a couple of weeks now sometimes I have tried cooked apples, peeled, cored, cut into small pieces and simmered in a tiny bit of water for about 10-15 minutes, then mashed with a fork.
I would cook two at once, and keep them in a covered dish in the refrigerator. I added a bit of runny honey once they were cooled, but some plain sugar or coconut sugar would be fine (I just didn't have any.)

I found that on the day following the apple my bowel movements were much more normal and healthier. I have deliberately had gaps of days without it in between , to see if it really makes any difference or not.
And every time I eat it my gut is a bit better the next day.

I know apple is supposed to be high Fodmap, so I didn't know what would happen, but I started off with just 2 or 3 teaspoons, then when that was okay, I tried more the next time.

I don't know if it will continue to help or if it's just a coincidence so far. Or maybe it's "pectin" in the apples which helps?
I know raw apples really upset my gut so this is interesting.

  1. Great tip! I have to try this. I know banana has helped me. Raw. I have had cooked apples before and they are delicious. I think I will give this a whirl. -Elizabeth (team member)

    1. Hi I can also eat cooked apples but not raw. My doctor says the cooking process destroys the acidity or something like that which aggravates the bowel. Bizarrely I can only eat eggs cooked a certain way too so maybe there are more foods that people can enjoy cooked rather than raw. Honey is a no go for me. This would be so much easier if the IBS diet was the same for everyone


      1. Oh I see...it's the acidity in raw apples which upsets the bowel? That makes a lot of sense.
        It's good that you can eat cooked apples too. Bananas disturb me unfortunately. Even half a banana at breakfast time can upset my gut a little the next morning, and that's a pity because they are rich in Potassium.
        I hadn't eaten the stewed apple for a week or so, and tried it again the last 2 days. Again it seemed to have a positive effect, on quality of stools the next days.
        Today I experimented with about 10 peeled black grapes! We shall see what happens. I used to be okay with them, but then not so good, but decided to try them again.
        I think it might be the pectin in apples which helps the gut (?)

        1. I have heard eating apples at the start of a meal may help with eating less. I know cooked broccoli is easier on my stomach than raw broccoli.

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