I'm sorry to hear that you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), as this can be a painful and unpredictable condition which can be difficult to control. It is surprisingly common and it is estimated that around 15% of the population have, or have had, this condition. However, it should not prevent you losing weight and there are dietary measures you can take to minimise and manage your symptoms.

Firstly I would suggest that you try to identify any foods that trigger your symptoms. This is where your food diary is very useful! Each day, use the Diary Notes section on the food page to note down how you are feeling and any symptoms you experience. Over time, you may well start to see a pattern emerging between certain foods and symptoms. You can then try removing these foods from your diet for a week or so and see if you feel better. Common triggers have been found to be wheat, chocolate, eggs, citrus fruit, milk and food colourings and preservatives, so pay particular attention to those.

Overall, make sure you diet is high in fibre and whole foods and drink plenty of water (1 ½ - 2 litres a day). I would avoid strong spices, alcohol and coffee, as these stimulate excessive contraction of the muscles of the bowel. You could try peppermint tea, as this has been found to be particularly soothing when the gut is irritated.

Finally, painful symptoms are often associated with blood sugar lows, which is why they can occur early morning, late afternoon and in the middle of the night. Because of this it is best to avoid refined carbohydrates and products with sugar, as these cause blood sugar levels to quickly rise then drop too low. Avoiding these foods will also help with weight loss.

Apart from diet, IBS often benefits from exercise and reducing stress levels. I wish you well and hope you feel better soon.