Why going ‘gluten-free’ might not be the right answer for this IBS sufferer

Opera singer Virgilio Marino, 46, shares his day on a plate.

10am A glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon, a probiotic tablet, then a coffee with coconut and almond milk.

10.40am Gluten-free toast [due to irritable bowel syndrome] with Vegemite, manchego cheese, baked beans, boiled egg, tomatoes, avocado, kiwi, cashews and walnuts, plus a tablespoon of MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) oil.

11.50am An almond milk piccolo.

1.45pm A peppermint tea and two homemade crocchè, made with eggs and potato.

3.15pm A cucumber, onion and capsicum salad, two slices of prawn pizza, four crocchè and an espresso.

10.30pm At the opening night after-party, I have a glass of champagne, a chicken skewer and smoked trout in a lettuce leaf.

Dr Joanna McMillan says:

Top marks for … Your brunch, as the food variety packs in a lot of nutrients, including protein, which when consumed early in the day helps with appetite control.

If you keep eating like this you’ll … Fall short on fibre, a common problem when going gluten-free. You may also not be limiting the right foods to help with your IBS, as it is often not gluten that is the problem, but a group of carbohydrates called FODMAPs.

Why don’t you try … Seeing a dietitian to help with your IBS. If gluten-free is helping, add more options, including wholegrains like quinoa, buckwheat and brown rice.

Virgilio Marino is performing in Opera Australia’s Madama Butterfly, which runs until April 23.

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