A Melbournian too!
Hi Tony (or should I say "G'day")
Will have to follow up the Fructose malabsorption theory.
(I have a problem with Wheat & most other grains, but not plain dry biscuits).
2004 testing including a colonoscopy & gastroscopy revealed no signs of villi damage (associated with Coeliac disease), but I've since read that you can be borderline & it doesn't show in the colonoscopy.
I currently follow a regime which is about 97% dairy free, rarely grains except dry biscuits, organic red meat x2per wk, fish, organic eggs/fruit/vegetables/nuts (which I've been eating for 25 years but have recently broken a tooth in half, so the dentist advised a few less nuts) & seeds (which I must chew properly or I get excruciating bowel pain).
Gone off organic chicken a bit as I ended up in hospital with suspected food poisoning in late January this year.
I gave up lentils about 4-5 years ago & other kidney/cannalloni beans etc a couple of years ago (too much fibre - excruciating bowel pain again despite eating Dhal & other vegetarian Indian food for more than 25 years).
But I have discovered PSYLLIUM HUSKS!
For all those people with IBS or grain sensitivities, it's the most wonderful form of fibre. I have a "rice flakes with psyllium husks" cereal, AND a tablespoon of plain psyllium husks sprinkled over the top. I mix it with freshly ground flaxseeds & organic rice milk & put it in the fridge overnight (if I remember to do this, that is).
Served with a sliced banana & 4-5 organic walnuts chopped on top (I say organic nuts because I think they taste better & are better for you).
Voila! (if you are not adverse to the texture) It resembles a gluggy, bread & butter pudding (which I loved as a child). It has to be the most soothing, bulky fibre breakfast imaginable. it's comfort food. I do eat alot of fruit & veg also, but this food combination for breakfast is finally the answer to my IBS.
2 1/2 years of chronic diarrhea was resolved in Feb 2004 (with the "clean-out" white drink, that one had to drink all day, before the colonoscopy).
My Blastocystis Hominus parasitic infection which was not cleared by numerous antibiotics was finally over (which also brought an end to my mainly raw diet in summer - I suspect I acquired the parasite through insufficiently washed raw cabbage/salad greens etc)
If you make the bowl of cereal up fresh in the morning, you need to ensure you drink plenty of liquid - psyllium husks expand quite a bit.
I have steamed english spinach & soft boiled eggs or, maybe fresh sauteed mushrooms & spinach on the weekend for a change.
I wish I'd gotten around to this discussion earlier. Food (ie Food as Medicine) is my favourite health topic, but the time I have spent on the site in the last couple of days will have to take a break soon. I need to get back to work or I'll be out of a job.
"Have a Good Day", Tony,
Victoria