H8bigbiz,

I seem to have diverticulitis or just an extremely delicate gut. And I have a severe redundant (long) colon.

I too focus on root vegetables (but only parsnip, kabocha squash, potato and radish), no raw veggies and very little meat and fish. Eggs whites and pea protein powder isolate are decent protein sources for me, as well as Lactaid milk.

You have likely tried dropping wheat and highly refined/processed foods. You should try dropping all grains if you haven't yet tried that. I can't even eat rice or oats (even a little bit is a problem), so if I can't maybe you can't either.

I am sure you have tried all the regular laxative-type foods like prune juice, apple juice (I can't go this route) as well as mineral oil (laxative) and slippery elm (inner bark) tea. As well as chewing your food for a long time before swallowing.

I had hard stool all the time, no matter how much I drank. And also had IBS-C like responses to food and switched to a very limited diet. However, then this limited diet started causing IBS-C symptoms.

My gut and food scene got better once I added in the Intoleran brand dietary enzymes for starch, sugar and fiber intolerances. They have a nice "all in one" product that also adds in lactase (I seem to benefit from more lactase than the Lactaid milk provides).

Since I got so much gain from that, I added in a pancreas supplement for assistance with fat and protein, and I can eat more meat and fish (two bites instead of one).

These supps give me a little more breathing room, food-wise, and make my stool rather normal, at least for now. What a gift. but gut health seems to be a moving target for me.