Dietary Prevention & Relief of IBS Diarrhea, Constipation, Pain
Kit includes a generous supply of Heather's Tummy Fiber and Heather's Tummy Tamers for the dietary management of IBS symptoms, particularly diarrhea, constipation, alternating bowel motility, and pain, plus the diet and cookbook Eating for IBS. The Tummy Fiber must be used twice daily, staring at a low dose and increasing gradually until bowel motility stabilizes, and then continued daily on that maintenance dose. The Tummy Tamers can be used just as needed and work best to head off problems when taken in advance of symptoms. For example, if mornings are a rough time, take a capsule last thing at night before bed. Eating for IBS has comprehensive dietary information and 175 delicious recipes, for addressing multiple IBS symptoms.
Heather's Tummy Fiber is a medical food for the dietary management of IBS symptoms. Acacia senegal is a natural (not synthetic) whole food soluble fiber with a clinically proven prebiotic effect. Studies have shown that soluble fiber, as part of the diet, helps regulate bowel motility (alleviating both diarrhea and constipation), and relieves abdominal pain from IBS.
Acacia senegal's prebiotic effect stimulates the growth of healthy gut flora for ideal bowel stability, which can reduce bloating, gas, and bowel irregularities from IBS.
Heather's Tummy Fiber is unique, because it has a good gastrointestinal tolerance and a proven significantly bifidogenic effect. Heather's Tummy Fiber is formulated specifically for the dietary management of IBS and improved bowel stability
Heather's Tummy Tamers Peppermint Oil Capsules are a medical food for the dietary management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. Clinical studies have shown that, as part of the diet: peppermint relieves abdominal pain, diarrhea, and urgency; fennel helps relax the gut and aids bloating; ginger contains powerful digestive enzymes and aids nausea. Enteric peppermint oil capsules have been clinically tested and shown to help the dietary management of IBS symptoms in both adults and children.
Heather's Tummy Tamers Peppermint Oil Capsules are unique because they are specially formulated for intense bowel soothing that addresses global IBS symptoms through the combined effects of peppermint, fennel, and ginger oils. We also use a very special enteric gelatin shell to improve tolerance for those prone to heartburn or reflux.
Eating for IBS confirms what every IBS sufferer instinctively knows: that diet plays a direct role in gut function, and that the abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating from bowel disorders can be directly controlled through diet. This is true not just for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but also for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis, plus diverticulosis and diverticulitis. The Eating for IBS diet can make the difference between living a normal, happy, outgoing life versus spending every day stuck in the bathroom enduring pain, bowel dysfunction, and misery.
Contrary to what many believe, eating for IBS and IBD does not mean deprivation, never going to restaurants, boring food, or a limited and therefore unhealthy diet. It does mean learning to eat safely by realizing how different foods physically affect the GI tract, and how foods can help or hurt both diarrhea AND constipation, as well as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and nausea. Foods can either prevent or trigger IBS or IBD symptoms.
For example:
* There are two kinds of fiber…one soothes the colon and regulates gut function but the other can cause severe attacks
* Dairy is a common trigger…even in people who are not lactose intolerant
* Peppermint, chamomile, and fennel can prevent pain, spasms, and bloating better than some drugs
* Bland foods are not automatically safe foods
In Eating for IBS, Heather Van Vorous, who has suffered from IBS since age 9 and gradually learned to control her symptoms through dietary modifications, offers sympathetic information tailored specifically to the needs of IBS and IBD sufferers. She provides a comprehensive overview of IBS, explicit eating and cooking strategies, travel and restaurant advice, daily menus, supermarket ideas, and 175 delicious recipes. How delicious? Eating for IBS was a finalist for the IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) Health and Special Diet Award - also known as the "Julia Child" award.
IBS and IBD sufferers will be thrilled to discover that they can enjoy traditional homestyle cooking, ethnic foods, rich desserts, snacks, and party foods - and don't have to cook unusual or special meals for themselves while their families follow a "normal" diet. Eating for IBS will forever revolutionize the way people with bowel dysfunction eat - and live.
People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome desperately want to eat without fear. This groundbreaking book tells IBS sufferers exactly what they need to know to relieve diarrhea and/or constipation NOW, and how to maintain stability by preventing symptoms in the future. Eating for IBS is the first and only work written by an author with IBS, with the express goal of helping others who suffer from the same disorder.
It offers sympathetic suggestions based on first-hand experience as well as nutritional and medical research, comprehensive eating and cooking guidelines, travel and restaurant advice, supermarket ideas, and gourmet recipes - all tailored specifically to the needs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
In addition, the IBS dietary guidelines can aid diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain from bowel dysfunction related to Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, or IBD), diverticulosis, diverticulitis, enteritis, and fibromyalgia.
Chapters
INTRODUCTION
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! For twenty years I thought I was the only person in the world with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I wasn't, and neither are you. This introduction explains my personal history with IBS and how I struggled, with eventual success, to learn how to control my symptoms through diet. It also tells the story of how I learned that I am NOT all alone with IBS, how and why I began sharing information with other people, and how their personal stories affected me and led to this website and book.
SO WHAT IS IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME, AND HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE IT?
This chapter tells you exactly what you need to know to make sure you have been properly diagnosed with IBS. Odds are that you haven't had all the necessary tests, so they're listed here along with the diseases you need to make sure you've had ruled out. You'll also learn precisely what a diagnosis of IBS means, what it does not mean, what type of research into the disorder has been done, and exactly what is happening to your body during an attack.
A NEW WAY TO EAT - TRIGGER FOODS, SOLUBLE VS. INSOLUBLE FIBER
This crucial chapter tells you in detail how to rapidly stabilize your GI tract by eating properly. You'll learn to recognize which categories of foods can trigger symptoms – pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating – and why other foods help prevent these problems altogether. Detailed explanations are given for how soluble versus insoluble fiber affects IBS, what fat does to the GI tract, and how trigger foods and drinks physically affect your gut. You'll learn precisely what to eat and what not to.
DIET STRATEGY, STRATEGY, STRATEGY
This is the information you need to easily transition from knowing what to eat to how to eat, as both elements are crucial for IBS. Eating safely is not just about avoiding trigger foods (some of which are crucial to good health), but about incorporating them without risk. How is this done? This chapter tells you, in explicit detail, and gives you the tools you need to eat without fear each and every day, whether you're at home, traveling, or ordering at a restaurant. Learn tips, tricks, helpful hints, and how to focus on substitution, never deprivation, for delicious food indulgences that won't trigger attacks.
A NEW WAY TO LIVE
Now that you know how and what to eat to keep your GI tract stable, you have to deal with your needs in the real world. Here's how to manage questions, concerns, and a possible lack of support from the people in your life, from friends and family to coworkers. Your health is a priority, and you cannot compromise it for someone else's sake simply because they don't understand or appreciate your dietary needs. This chapter gives you the mental support you need to overcome IBS.
EATING FOR IBS RECIPES
Try a wide sampling of delicious dishes, from refreshing drinks to home-baked breads, from hearty soups and main dishes to sinfully scrumptious desserts. You simply won't believe they're all IBS safe – but they are! Recipes vary from traditional American favorites to exotic ethnic specialties. Each and every one is a genuine treat to eat, and a healthy choice for anyone who enjoys a great meal - whether they have IBS or not.
EATING FOR IBS MENUS AT-A-GLANCE
These suggested daily meal plans are structured for maximum convenience. Many of the items listed can be prepared well in advance, and will keep for many days in the fridge to be used as needed throughout the week. Dinner for one night is typically served as lunch the next day, and homemade quick breads serves as snacks, breakfasts, and desserts. You're certainly not obligated to follow these menus precisely. I've tried to design very generous daily suggestions, both in terms of variety and quantity. You can easily reduce the scale and make changes or substitutions. The important thing is to follow the basic formula of having soluble fiber as the basis for each meal or snack, the first thing you always eat, and the item you eat in the greatest quantity.
IBS KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
You might need to re-stock your kitchen with IBS safe staples and ingredients. This chapter tells you exactly what you need.
DIRECTORY OF IBS DIET RESOURCES
You should be able to easily find all the ingredients needed for the IBS kitchen right in your own local grocery store or health food market. If you can't, this directory offers all the resources you need.
No fructans, galactans, polyols, fructose, lactose
No FOS or inulin, nothing synthetic
No GMOs (genetically modified organisms)
No sugar, salt, artificial sweeteners, citric acid, oxalates, or yeast
Tasteless, non-thickening, grit-free
Add to cup, then add liquid
Or, add to moist foods
Start with a low dose
Increase gradually
Take twice daily
For Improved Bowel Stability
Heather's Tummy Fiber is the only soluble fiber supplement specifically formulated for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It's a medical food for the dietary management of IBS symptoms. Acacia senegal is a natural (not synthetic) whole food 100% soluble fiber with a clinically proven prebiotic effect. Studies have shown that soluble fiber, as part of the diet, helps regulate bowel motility (alleviating both diarrhea and constipation), and relieves abdominal pain from IBS.
Heather's Tummy Fiber also:
* Increases good gut flora - it's a prebiotic, and significantly bifidogenic
* Has excellent gastrointestinal tolerance, will not cause bloating and gas
* Slows down colonic fermentation (actively decreasing gas and bloating)
* Is completely safe and healthy for daily, lifelong use
* Is safe for use in children
Soluble fiber is key to preventing the abdominal spasms and bowel dysfunction of IBS. Soluble fiber works by regulating bowel motility from either extreme, and modulating water content in the bowel to form a stabilizing gel that relieves cramping and prevents both IBS diarrhea and constipation.
Heather's Tummy Fiber is a slowly fermenting prebiotic soluble fiber that has no FODMAPS (poorly digested short chain carbohydrates). Acacia senegal's prebiotic effect stimulates the growth of healthy gut flora for ideal bowel stability, which can reduce bloating, gas, and bowel irregularities from IBS.
Heather's Tummy Fiber is unique, because it is formulated specifically for the dietary management of IBS.
Heather's Tummy Tamers Peppermint Oil Capsules
Prevent IBS pain, spasms, bloating, gas; calm and relax the GI tract
New! Patented, special enteric gelatin improves tolerance for those prone to heartburn or reflux
Enteric properties now built right in!
Made with local peppermint oil, steam distilled from peppermint fields in Washington state
We choose the best volatile oil profile from each harvest, for the highest medicinal strength.
No gluten, soy, FODMAPS, allergens, preservatives, colors, additives
Take one capsule at a time on an EMPTY STOMACH with just enough cool liquid to swallow easily
For Intense Bowel Soothing
Heather's Tummy Tamers Peppermint Oil Capsules are a medical food for the dietary management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. Clinical studies have shown that, as part of the diet: peppermint relieves abdominal pain, diarrhea, and urgency; fennel helps relax the gut and aids bloating; ginger contains powerful digestive enzymes and aids nausea. Enteric peppermint oil capsules have been clinically tested and shown to help the dietary management of IBS symptoms in both adults and children.
Heather's Tummy Tamers Peppermint Oil Capsules are unique because they are specially formulated for intense bowel soothing that addresses global IBS symptoms through the combined effects of peppermint, fennel, and ginger oils.
We make our Tummy Tamers here in Kent, Washington with local peppermint oil, steam distilled from peppermint fields in the Columbia River Valley. This means we can spec for peppermint oil with the best volatile oil profile from each harvest, for the highest medicinal strength.
We now use a patented, very special enteric gelatin to improve tolerance for those prone to heartburn or reflux. This gelatin has enteric properties built right in, for better protection against heartburn than simple enteric coatings, which are delicate and easily compromised.
Eating for IBS
Comprehensive diet & recipes for all symptoms
Author: Heather Van Vorous
Paperback: 256 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1569246009
Explicit IBS diet information
175 great recipes
Addresses multiple IBS symptoms
Calms the gut
Teaches tasty substitutions, never deprivation
Safe foods vs trigger foods
Soluble vs insoluble fiber
How to eat & cook for IBS
Restaurant advice & travel
Fast & easy meals, plus full menus
By the author of First Year: IBS & Heather Cooks!
Finalist for the IACP Julia Child Cookbook Award
Library Journal's Cookbook Bestseller List
Excerpts & recipes licensed by Novartis Pharma
Excerpted by physicians & dietitians worldwide
By an author with IBS, for everyone with IBS!
Heather's Tummy Fiber Directions
Start with a low dose twice daily
Increase gradually
Keep increasing until symptoms stabilize
Start with 1/2 level teaspoon, twice daily. Just stir into moist foods with breakfast and dinner. Or, add to an empty cup, then stir with a fork as you gradually add room
temperature liquid. Let rest for a minute, then stir again to completely dissolve.
Does not dissolve well in boiling hot or ice cold liquids, but once fiber is liquified you can boil or chill beverage.
Or, stir into any moist food.
Gradually increase your dose. Add an extra 1/2 teaspoon every 3-5 days and keep increasing until symptoms stabilize.
Diarrhea can resolve fairly quickly as you gradually increase your dose. Constipation, if chronic and severe, may take
several weeks and require a gradual increase to the higher dose range of 4-5 tablespoons per day.
Daily Dosages Adults 12 Years & Older:
On average, symptoms stabilize at a final dose range of 4 to 18 grams (2 teaspoons to 3 tablespoons) per day total,
divided into two separate doses. You may need more or less. Max daily dose is 30 grams (5 tablespoons).
Cooking: Add 1 tbsp per cup of liquid, whisk.
Baking: Add 1 tbsp per cup of flour, whisk.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 2.5 g (one packet)
Servings Per Container: 25
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value*
Calories
10
Total Fat
0 g
0%
Sodium
0 g
0%
Total Carbohydrates
2 g
1%
Dietary Fiber
2 g
9%
Soluble Fiber
2 g
Protein
0 g
0%
Not a significant source of calories from fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sugars, vitamin
A, vitamin C, calcium or iron.
* Percent daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Cautions: For use under a physician's supervision. Keep out of the reach of children. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. Under 12 years old consult your physician. Use within 12 months of opening. Store airtight in a cool, dry place. Organic product. Color variations are normal.
Take with just enough cool (not warm) liquid to swallow easily
If you are at all prone to heartburn, take no less than 1 hour before eating
If you are not prone to heartburn, you can take 15 minutes before eating
Do not chew
Daily Dosage:
Take 1 capsule, one to three times daily
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 Softgel
Servings Per Container: 90
Amount Per Serving
Peppermint Oil (Mentha piperita)
0.2 mL/181.0 mg*
Fennel Oil (Foeniculum vulgare)
0.02 mL/19.3 mg*
Ginger Oil (Zingiber officinale)
0.02 mL/17.6 mg*
*Daily Value not established.
Cautions: For use under a physician's supervision. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or nursing. Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place.
Acacia Senegal Tummy Fiber FAQ
How Does Tummy Fiber Work to Prevent IBS Pain, Constipation, AND Diarrhea?
How Soluble Fiber Helps IBS Diarrhea
The "soluble" in soluble fiber means that it dissolves in water (though it is not digested). This allows it to absorb excess liquid in the colon, preventing diarrhea by forming a thick gel and adding a great deal of bulk as it passes intact through the gut.
This gel (as opposed to a watery liquid) also keeps the gastrointestinal muscles stretched gently around a full colon, giving those muscles something to easily "grip" during peristaltic contractions. This prevents the rapid transit time and explosive bowel movements that are common with diarrhea.
How Soluble Fiber Helps IBS Constipation
By the same token, the full, gel-filled colon (as opposed to one clenched tightly around dry, hard, impacted stools) provides the same "grip" during the muscle waves of constipation.
This allows for an easier and faster transit time, and the passage of the thick wet gel also effectively relieves constipation by softening and pushing through impacted fecal matter.
If you can mentally picture your colon as a tube that is squeezing through matter via regular waves of contractions, it's easy to see how a colon filled with soluble fiber gel is beneficial for both sides of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome coin—diarrhea and constipation.
How Soluble Fiber Helps IBS Pain and Cramping
As a glorious bonus, normalizing the contractions of the colon triggered by your gastrocolic reflex—whether they are too fast or too slow—helps prevent the violent and irregular spasms that cause lower abdominal cramping pain, a hallmark of IBS.
Heather's Tummy Fiber: Daily IBS Support with Added Benefits
Best of all, Heather's Tummy Fiber Supplement can be taken daily and indefinitely with no harmful side effects or risk of addiction.
In fact, soluble fiber has health benefits far beyond managing IBS. It has been shown to:
Lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol
Reduce the risk of heart disease
Minimize colon cancer risks
Slow the absorption of fats and carbohydrates, improving glycemic control
Prevent the formation of free radicals
Help manage diabetes
Tummy Tamers Peppermint Oil Capsules FAQ
What makes Heather's Tummy Tamers peppermint oil capsules so special?
IBS Relief That Feels Like Magic — In a Pill!
Over 1 MILLION bottles sold and 1,500+ glowing reviews can’t be wrong.
Heather’s Tummy Tamers aren’t just peppermint oil capsules — they’re a clinically‑proven, gut‑soothing breakthrough designed just for people with IBS.
If cramps, bloating, urgency, or unpredictable bathroom runs are ruling your life… this is for you.
Why Tummy Tamers Work When Others Fail
Inherently Enteric Gelatin Power: Our patented gelatin shell is built to survive stomach acid and release peppermint, fennel, and ginger oils exactly where IBS pain strikes — in your intestines. It's not just enteric coated. The gelatin itself is enteric!
Fennel Oil — beats gas, bloating, and cramps into submission
Ginger Oil — calms nausea, fuels digestion, and eases discomfort
Reflux‑Friendly: Special enteric gelatin lets peppermint skip your stomach — so even many with heartburn can enjoy the benefits.
Clinically Backed. IBS‑Focused. Life‑Changing.
📊 16 clinical trials reviewed in Phytomedicine name peppermint oil capsules “the approach of first choice” for IBS.
💬 Customers call Tummy Tamers “fast‑acting,” “a lifesaver,” and “the only thing that works.”
These aren’t generic mint pills. They’re a medical food formulated from the ground up to tackle every IBS symptom — diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, pain, and spasms — without triggering new problems.
What You’ll Feel
Bloating? Gone.
Cramping? Calmed.
Urgency? Under control.
Gas? Goodbye.
Pain? Eased away.
Every capsule is a precision‑timed release of comfort, restoring your gut to a calmer, happier state.
The Heather’s Tummy Care Promise
💚 100% Happiness Guarantee — Lifetime returns, no questions asked.
💚 Free Shipping on 2 or more bottles.
💚 Trusted by over a million customers — and recommended by IBS sufferers worldwide.
Who It’s For
IBS with diarrhea ✅
IBS with constipation ✅
IBS‑mixed ✅
Sensitive stomach? ✅
Occasional reflux? ✅ (though not suitable for everyone with severe GERD)
Bottom Line:
This is the peppermint oil capsule for IBS relief — not a generic supplement, not a guess‑and‑hope remedy. Tummy Tamers are engineered to change your daily life.
If you’re ready to stop planning your world around your gut… this is where you start.
Why is Acacia Senegal Special?
It's a Slowly Fermenting Prebiotic
Clinical studies have also shown that Heather's Tummy Fiber Supplement, made from Acacia Senegal, has unique benefits over other soluble fiber sources.
In the large intestine, Acacia Senegal fiber stimulates the development of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria, which leads to the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These SCFAs play numerous beneficial roles in the physiology of the human body.
Additionally, daily consumption of Acacia Senegal fiber at doses below 15 grams/day has been shown to avoid the gas, bloating, and cramping often associated with other soluble fiber supplements.
How Much Water Do I Have to Add to Tummy Fiber?
As much or as little as you like! There is no minimum amount of water required to mix Heather's Tummy Fiber.
You can use just enough water to liquefy it, or you can use a whole glass. Both options are equally effective.
As long as there is sufficient water in your gut, the soluble fiber will work properly.
Heather's Tummy Fiber has no viscosity, so there is no choking risk at all. This means you are not required to drink a large glass of liquid with it—unless you prefer to.
You only need to use however much (or little) water it takes to dissolve the powder. Alternatively, you can simply sprinkle the fiber on moist foods instead of mixing it into a drink.
Because the fiber does not thicken in liquids, it cannot coat your throat, and therefore does not pose a choking hazard.
Add the fiber to an empty cup and then add just enough water to liquefy it - just like dissolving cornstarch - to prevent clumps.
Once liquefied, you can drink it right away or fill the rest of the cup with more liquid if you prefer. You can also cook with it or add it to soft, moist foods like applesauce or oatmeal.
How is Tummy Fiber Better than Other Fiber Supplements?
Heather's Tummy Fiber is very different from high-viscosity fibers like psyllium and methylcellulose. Those fibers require a large glass of water to prevent choking and must be consumed quickly before they thicken.
With Heather’s Tummy Fiber, there is no such concern. It stays smooth in liquids, offers flexible dosing, and poses no choking risk—making it safe, easy, and effective for daily IBS management.
Plus Tummy Fiber Acacia Senegal is a slowly fermenting prebiotic that is unrelated to the rapidly fermenting prebiotic FODMAP fiber supplements
If I Take Other Supplements and Medications, When Do I Take the Tummy Fiber?
Here's how to easily schedule your Tummy Fiber with meals, supplements and medications:
Treat your fiber like food. The easiest and most effective way to take Heather's Tummy Fiber is by adding it directly to your meals — ideally at breakfast and dinner. This gives your digestive system 24/7 IBS symptom coverage.
Once you combine fiber with your meals, the only remaining concern is supplements and medications that must be taken on an empty stomach. Simply schedule those around your meals and fiber intake.
Heather’s Tummy Fiber will not interfere with nutrients in food and will not interfere with medications or supplements that can be taken with food.
For medications or supplements that require an empty stomach, the rule of thumb is to take them one hour before meals or two hours after you eat food or your fiber.
Can I Mix Tummy Fiber into Foods or Drinks in Advance?
Yes, you can! Heather’s Tummy Fiber is completely inert and stable, which means you can’t damage it, and it will not go bad. It is unaffected by heat, cold, or time.
You can safely add the fiber to any food or drink— whether you're cooking, baking, or mixing it into a bottle of water. Add it to your meals, beverages, or recipes as far in advance as you like.
The fiber will not mold, mildew, spoil, or lose its effectiveness. Whether it’s refrigerated, frozen, boiled, baked, or microwaved, the Tummy Fiber will stay fresh, effective, and it will work regardless..
The fiber is impervious. The food or drink you add it to will eventually go bad, but the fiber itself won’t.
So prepare it ahead of time without worry.
This flexibility makes Heather’s Tummy Fiber ideal for meal prepping, cooking, or on-the-go use, supporting your IBS management routine with zero hassle.
Can I take Tummy Tamers peppermint oil capsules every day?
Yes. Many people take their peppermint oil capsules every single day to prevent IBS flare‑ups. (I do!)
They are take as needed, so key their use to how your IBS is doing. Follow the label directions and consult your doctor if you're unsure.
Can Tummy Fiber Make IBS Symptoms Worse Before It Makes Them Better?
No. Tummy Fiber is 100% Acacia Senegal, which is a 100% soluble fiber.
Soluble fiber cannot cause or worsen diarrhea or constipation, or flip one to the other.
But it also won't help you until there is enough of it in your gut 24/7 to regulate motility.
In the meantime, everything that is impacting your gut will keep impacting it.
It's a process to work up your dose, and you are still on a very low end.
Details:
There are two kinds of fiber, insoluble and soluble.
Insoluble is a stimulant and can set off IBS symptoms, and if you have strictures, it can cause intestinal blockages.
The Tummy Fiber is pure soluble fiber so it won’t do that – it can't.
It’s not a stimulant, it’s a bowel motility regulator.
It can’t cause blockages, diarrhea, or constipation, but it also will not help you until you gradually work up to enough of it in your gut, 24/7, to regulate motility.
In the meantime, everything else will keep impacting your gut and you will likely keep fluctuating day to day.
The Tummy Fiber is 100% soluble fiber, it can’t make anything worse, but it also will not help you with just the first dose or two, or first few days or two.
For constipation, it likely won’t help the first week or two either.
This is because you are starting at a low dose that won’t do anything at all — it is just to get your gut used to more fiber gradually.
All fibers are indigestible, so you always want to increase fiber slowly and steadily.
Do not skip doses.
Do not jump your dose up and then down and then up and then down.
Do not skip days – none of this will work.
This is a process. It can’t be erratic. It takes some time and patience, and you have to follow the process consistently, day in and day out, or soluble fiber will not do what you want it to do.
You need to start with just ½ teaspoon twice daily and then gradually increase.
Add an extra ½ teaspoon to just one of your doses, every 3–4 days.
So add an extra ½ teaspoon to your morning dose, wait 3–4 days, and then add an extra ½ teaspoon to your evening dose.
Wait 3–4 days, and then increase your morning dose again, etc.
You’ll keep following that pattern and gradually work up to the dose your gut needs for normal motility.
A rough average final dose for diarrhea is 1–3 tablespoons per day total.
For alternating diarrhea/constipation, probably 2–3 tablespoons per day total.
For constipation, a likely 3–5 tablespoons per day total.
That shows you the huge dose range, and also how far you will likely have to increase from the starting dose of just ½ teaspoon twice a day.
The fiber cannot make anything worse, but again, until you gradually work up to enough of it in your gut, it won’t help you either.
It has to reach the point where it can control your bowel motility.
You just will not have enough of it in your gut to affect you at all until you have worked your way far enough into the process.
I will tell you candidly — it will probably take you a few months to work up to the dose you would need to resolve chronic constipation.
In the meantime, you’ll still have symptoms, and you may need to use laxatives if you’re already doing that.
You should see improvements kick in as you gradually get your dose up around 3 tablespoons per day total.
Then you’d keep gradually increasing until you feel stable day in and day out.
You can’t just jump to this dose though – fiber does not work that way. I wish it did!
But you have to gradually get your gut used to more fiber, and then reach the point you need for motility regulation.
Once you hit that, you stay at whatever that dose is, morning and evening, as soluble fiber literally only works when it is physically present in your gut.
Does Acacia senegal work as well for constipation as for diarrhea?
Yes, it does - but Acacia is not a laxative or drug. Acacia can work wonders for constipation, but it not an overnight solution. It makes a great deal of difference how you take Acacia, and it's well worth the time and effort to do it right.
First of all, these are the best ways to NOT get the results you want:
* Try Acacia at a low dose for just a few days, then give up because there's no change.
* Go from zero to the maximum dose in one week flat, then give up because it's not working and now you're all bloated and gassy as well.
* Start taking Acacia at the same time you suddenly stop taking laxatives, enemas, or colon cleanses you've been using regularly, then give up because your constipation is suddenly worse, not better.
The cardinal rule with Acacia is to start at a low dose (for Acacia, just 1/2 a level measuring teaspoon, twice daily), and increase gradually. Constipation seems to require a much higher daily dose than diarrhea, and it can take several weeks, or even a few months, to slowly work your way up to the maximum daily dose. Acacia is not a laxative, and it will not give "overnight relief", so taking a low dose for a few days will not alleviate your symptoms. What it will do is begin to acclimate your gut to a higher daily dose of fiber, and this is the goal. Don't give up as soon as you start - just realize that using Acacia is a slow, steady process. You will see improvements along the way.
It's tempting to think that if you need to reach the maximum dose to see the best results, you can just force your body to adjust to a high dose as fast as possible. After all, if your constipation will resolve on an Acacia dose of, say, 25 grams a day, and it might typically take someone, say, 8 weeks to reach that dose, you'll be way ahead of the game if you race your way up to that dose in your very first week - right? Nope - wrong.
By definition, if you have IBS, you do not have a normally functioning gut. No matter how your IBS symptoms manifest (constipation or diarrhea, bloating or pain) your GI tract - and specifically, your gastrocolic reflex - is hyper-reactive to normal stimuli. Your goal should always be to keep your gastrocolic reflex stable so you can soothe and regulate your gut function.
Suddenly overloading your bowel with a fiber dose that is possibly ten times what you were taking before you started Acacia will do nothing but give you bloating and gas, as your GI tract struggles to deal with all of this unexpected fiber. Fiber is, after all, an undigestible carbohydrate, and your body needs to work to process it through your digestive tract.
Asking your gut to go from no soluble fiber supplement to a maximum daily dose too quickly is like trying to become a marathon runner by sprinting as hard and as fast as you can without rest. It won't work, you'll be frustrated, and you'll give up. Instead, go slowly, increase your dose gradually, and give your body the time and gentle approach it needs to adjust to the Acacia increase. You can't beat your colon into submission with IBS, you need to kindly, patiently, and consistently coax it into normal motility. Acacia can help do this for you if you give it a fair chance.
If you've been regularly using laxatives, or artificially increasing colon motility through other means (enemas, colon cleanses, harsh stimulant herbs such as senna, cascara, aloe) the odds are pretty good that your bowel is dependent on them. If you suddenly stop using them, bowel motility might shut down and your constipation will seriously worsen. This would be the case even if you didn't add Acacia at the same time.
It is definitely possible to transition from a laxative or other unnatural methods of alleviating constipation to Acacia. But, you can't simply switch from one to the other in a single day and expect equivalent results. What you can do is keep taking your usual dose of laxatives while you begin your Acacia and start to gradually increase your Acacia dose. When you've been able to reach a fairly high daily dose (say, 2-3 tablespoons) you can start to gradually decrease your laxative.
Keep increasing the Acacia and continue decreasing your laxative, taking each step slowly and carefully. This is not likely to be a fast process, but the slower and steadier you go the more likely it is to have a highly successful result. I've heard from numerous people who transitioned off of laxatives, senna, enemas, and even prescription constipation drugs and onto a soluble fiber supplement, with terrific results. But it took anywhere from one to six months, depending on how long their bowels had been dependent on the laxatives. Good things can be well worth the wait, and this is one of those situations where patience is truly a virtue. IBS is a lifelong problem for most people, so giving yourself a few months to make a tremendous improvement is not really taking too much time in the grand scheme of things.
Does it matter how or when I take the fiber, with or without food, what time of day?
Nope! What matters is that you find a schedule that works for you. It doesn't matter to your gut if you take the fiber with or without food, between meals or right with them, as long as it's in your gut it will regulate motility. What counts is that you start at a low dose twice daily and work up gradually until you hit the dose your gut needs for normal motility. Your goal is to keep the fiber in your gut 24/7, because it literally only works when it is physically in your gut. The details of your schedule, whether the fiber is with or between meals, are entirely up to you.
How do Heather's Tummy Tamers compare to IBgard capsules?
Feature
Heather's Tummy Tamers®
IBGard®
Peppermint Oil Content
✅ 180mg pure Pacific Northwest mentha piperita peppermint oil — the standard dose in most IBS research studies
🚫 90mg peppermint oil per capsule
Extra Symptom Support
✅ Added fennel & ginger oils for bloating, gas, and nausea relief
🚫 No fennel or ginger oils
Clean Label
✅ All natural ingredients! No artificial colors, preservatives, or additives
✅ Hand‑made in small batches in our own IBS‑dedicated facility in Kent, WA, USA
🚫 Mass‑produced by general supplement manufacturer
🌿 The Clear Winner for IBS Relief
Double the peppermint oil. Triple the symptom‑fighting power. Crafted just for IBS in our own facility. Why settle for less?
100% Happiness Guarantee • Free Shipping Over $44
How do I use Heather’s Tummy Tamers for best results?
Take 1 capsule on an empty stomach. Take with just enough cool water to easily swallow. Do not chew. Wait 30–60 minutes before eating. Do not take with food or other supplements.
- Use as needed for symptom flare-ups
- Take up to 3 times daily for ongoing symptom control
- Take last thing at night before bed to head off am problems
How do I use Tummy Fiber Acacia Senegal?
Starting with 1/2 level teaspoon twice a day (daily dose of 1 teaspoon total). Every 3-4 days or so, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon to one of your daily doses. Alternate which dose you increase so you are going slow and steady.
You don’t want to increase your dose too much, too quickly, as your gut needs to get used to any fiber increase gradually. All fibers are indigestible, so suddenly or drastically increasing your dose can cause bloating and gas.
Keep stepping up your dose every 3-4 days or so until you gradually reach the dose that resolves your constipation and/or diarrhea.
In general, constipation resolves at 3-5 tablespoons/day and diarrhea at a lower dose, typically 1-3 tablespoons/day. If your symptoms resolve at a lower dose than is typical, stay there. If you need more than the average dose, that is just fine, continue to gradually increase. The maximum daily dose is typically 5 tablespoons per day.
The maintenance dose is different for each person depending on their specific symptoms.
The fiber will work regardless of how you take it - added to plain water, sprinkled over moist foods, added to foods you cook, on an empty stomach, full stomach, etc. In general, it's usually most helpful to take the fiber right before or right in a meal as it will help keep your gastrocolic reflex calm after you eat.
How much should I take? How often? When?
If you're not currently taking a soluble fiber supplement, begin with a low dose of Acacia (try 1/2 level teaspoon twice daily) and gradually increase. This means a level measuring/baking teaspoon - not a teaspoon that you'd use to stir a drink or eat soup. A utensil teaspoon is much larger than a measuring teaspoon. And a level teaspoon is about half of a fully rounded teaspoon. So you can inadvertently start at a much higher dose than intended if you're not using a level measuring teaspoon. As you gradually increase your dose, you can get to a maximum level of about five tablespoons a day total (divided doses are preferable). This means a measuring/baking tablespoon. You do not HAVE to get to the maximum dose, and if you stabilize at a lower dose please feel free to stay there. Take your time as you increase your dose - slow and steady is much, much better than racing to a higher dose before your gut is used to the increase in fiber.
Raise your Acacia fiber dosage level by 1/2 - 1 teaspoon at a time, every few days or every week, until your bowel function has stabilized. Diarrhea and spasms should resolve in just a few days, especially as you increase your fiber dose; constipation, particularly if it has been chronic and severe, may take several weeks. Try to gradually increase your Heather's Tummy Fiber until you're taking 15-25 grams daily (this is about 2-4 level tablespoons); if you stabilize at a lower dose, simply stay there. It's always best to divide your daily dosage of Acacia into two or three doses (or even four), as the whole point of taking a soluble fiber supplement is to keep your gut filled with soluble fiber at all times. This will help to prevent bowel dysfunction and abdominal pain in the first place, and with IBS it's always better to keep yourself stable and head off problems, instead of trying to resolve attacks once they've begun.
I find it most helpful to take Acacia on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning and again before meals. It provides a great soluble fiber supplement "buffer" for meals that follow, and it's a terrific way to get and keep myself stable as soon as I roll out of bed. It also gives a good safety margin when I've gone too long without eating, or when I know I'll be eating a meal that is too high in fat or insoluble fiber for digestive safety. This is most often a factor with restaurant meals, so I make a habit of taking Acacia right before I leave the house to go out to eat. If mornings are your worst time of day as they are mine, taking a fiber supplement dose just before you go to bed at night can help head off problems when you arise.
Though Heather's Tummy Fiber has the benefits of all soluble fiber supplements in terms of helping to normalize bowel function and motility, clinical studies have shown that it also increases good gut flora. This is why Acacia will actively help reduce bloating and gas, whereas other types of fiber supplements (particularly psyllium, inulin, and for some folks guar gum as well) can worsen these symptoms. The prebiotic effect of Acacia senegal (this simply means that it supports the growth of probiotics - beneficial bacteria - in your gut) can show very quickly or can take several weeks of daily use. In essence, the Acacia supplement is building up the beneficial flora in your GI tract to a healthy level, and how quickly you see results from this can depend on the state of your gut flora in the first place.
The active benefits from Heather's Tummy Fiber supplement in terms of a reduction in gas and bloating are separate from the fact that this fiber supplement is less likely to cause gas and bloating in the first place. This aspect of Acacia senegal is termed its "gastrointestinal tolerance" - Acacia fiber actually slows down colonic fermentation, which decreases gas and bloating. This means that on top of the fact that you should see a reduction in gas and bloating once the prebiotic effect is in full swing, you also should not see any increase in gas or bloating when you start the fiber supplement in the first place.
I've been stable for a while but now things are flaring, how do I adjust my Tummy Fiber dose?
This can happen. You’ve worked up your Tummy Fiber dose, been stable for a while, but now something has come along and really upset your gut. Diet changes, stress, new medications, something has impacted you. So now the dose that used to keep you stable is no longer doing the trick. That’s ok, if this happens you just need gradually increase your dose. You have to work up to a higher dose of fiber in your gut 24/7 to once again stabilize motility. Whatever your gut needed before, it needs more help now, so it needs more tummy fiber. Make your increases gradual. Try adding an extra ½ tsp per day every 3-4 days, and stair step your dose up like this until you get back to your stable point. That will be the new daily dose for you. Once you reach the new higher dose that resolves your symptoms, and you feel good again, that’s where you will now stay.
Is Tummy Fiber Acacia Senegal high carb? Will it make me gain weight? Can I take it if I'm diabetic?
For folks who are worried about weight gain, glycemic control, diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or their carbohydrate intake, Heather's Tummy Fiber is a great way to get the benefits of soluble fiber without any carbohydrates or calories. The FDA has declared water-soluble gums such as Acacia to be a good source of soluble dietary fiber, which by definition means that they are not digested in the human gut. However, the FDA has also mandated that the caloric value of gums be declared as a carbohydrate with 4 calories per gram. The FDA is currently being petitioned by scientists on the Calorie Control Council to change this mandate, as it has been established that gums do not contribute calories as carbohydrates do, since gums are not completely metabolized in the body. In plain English, this simply means that though FDA labeling requires all dietary soluble fiber supplements, including Acacia, to list a calorie content, in reality there are virtually no calories in Heather's Tummy Fiber at all.
The net result of this is that with the Acacia fiber supplement you are getting all of the benefits of soluble fiber without any carbohydrates or calories. For diabetes and other diseases, there are terrific advantages to a diet high in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber slows the rate of carbohydrate absorption (this gives an advantage to taking Heather's Tummy Fiber right before a meal), and improves regulation of blood sugar. Soluble fiber also decreases LDL ("bad") blood cholesterol levels, and therefore reduces the risk of heart disease, which is a serious risk for diabetics. PCOS patients can also benefit from soluble fiber, as it helps to stabilize their blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of food sugars into the bloodstream, decreasing the load on their pancreas.
Should I use Peppermint Oil Capsules or Peppermint Tummy Tea? Can I use both?
You can absolutely use Tummy Tamers Peppermint Oil Capsules and Peppermint Tummy Tea — just not at the exact same time.
Why not? Because hot tea will break down the capsule’s patented enteric coating too quickly, releasing the oils before they reach your intestines.
When to Use Your Capsules
Think of Tummy Tamers as your pain and bloating prevention strategy:
Take them on an empty stomach.
Allow about an hour to kick in — they’re timed to work where IBS symptoms start.
Perfect before meals, especially dining out.
If mornings are rough, take one last thing at night before bed to head off problems.
When to Use Your Tea
Peppermint oil capsules are stronger, but Peppermint Tummy Tea is your flexible, fast‑acting rescue:
Works on a full or empty stomach.
Pain relief can start immediately — as soon as the menthol and other volatile oils touch your mouth’s buccal mucous membranes.
Perfect for those “uh‑oh” moments when you need help right now.
Your IBS Game Plan
Use Tummy Tamers to head off trouble before it starts.
💚 Prevention + Rescue = IBS control you can count on.
What are Heather’s Tummy Tamers Enteric Peppermint Oil Capsules, and how do they work?
Heather’s Tummy Tamers are a specially formulated, medical food for IBS relief.
Each capsule contains peppermint, fennel, and ginger oils in a special patented enteric gelatin. This ensures direct delivery to the small intestines, where they help prevent and relieve:
- Abdominal cramping and pain
- Gas and bloating
- Intestinal spasms
- Post-meal IBS flares
The Tummy Tamer oils work synergistically as antispasmodic, anti-gas, and carminative agents.
What are the key benefits of Tummy Tamers capsules?
- Patented enteric gelatin - prevents reflux and heartburn
- Targets symptoms where they begin, in the intestines
- Combines peppermint, fennel, and ginger oils for full-spectrum support
- No fillers, chemical additives, dyes, preservatives, artificial colors
- Gentle and effective for even ultra-sensitive digestion
What does raw Acacia Senegal look like? How is it made into Tummy Fiber?
Heather's Tummy Fiber is the all natural gum of the acacia senegal tree. Raw acacia gum is collected much like maple syrup, though the gum is more a solid than a liquid. The gum forms as gold or amber colored, crystal-like pieces; these pieces are what the acacia gum looks like when it is collected from the outside of the tree. The gum is then dissolved in water, filtered, and the liquid is sprayed onto very large heated surfaces to sterilize the fiber and so the water can evaporate. That's it. There is no processing, no bleaching, no hydrolyzing, and nothing is added. What's left after the water evaporates from the dissolved crystals? Just the fine, white powder that is Heather's Tummy Fiber.
There are no chemicals used in processing the acacia, or in our packaging facility. Because this is a natural gum with nothing added, and not a synthetic product that is highly processed, the grain size and color of the finished powder can vary slightly from lot to lot, and even within a single lot. These natural variations are normal and to be expected.
What makes Heather’s Tummy Tamers different from generic peppermint capsules?
Here’s what sets our Tummy Tamers apart:
Feature
Heather's Tummy Tamers
Generic Peppermint Capsules
Patented Enteric Gelatin
✅ Burp-free formula!
🚫 None or just a single-layer external coating
Oil Blend
✅ Peppermint + Fennel + Ginger
🚫 Peppermint only or ground dried leaf, not oil
Designed for IBS
✅ Yes, IBS-targeted medical food
🚫 General digestion
Manufacturer Focus
✅ Tummy Care is an IBS-focused brand
🚫 Mass supplement manufacturer
What's the easiest way to dissolve your Tummy Fiber Acacia Senegal powder?
1) Stir right into moist foods instead of adding to liquids.
2) For adding to liquids, it works best if the liquid temperature is cool or lukewarm, not very cold or boiling hot. Once the acacia is dissolved, you can add any more liquid of any temperature you wish.
3) Add Tummy Fiber first to your empty cup, mix it with just enough liquid to dissolve it (like you'd dissolve cornstarch), and then add the remaining liquid.
4) Stir with a fork instead of a spoon.
5) After stirring initially, let it sit for about 60 seconds, then stir again and any remaining lumps should dissolve.
6) Instead of adding a big spoonful all at once, sprinkle on moist foods while stirring.
7) Add the Tummy Fiber to the blender in smoothies.
What's the source of gelatin in Heather's Tummy Tamers?
Until 2017 the gelatin in our peppermint oil capsules was a mix of bovine/porcine. Starting with lot code 21610121 in early 2017, our gelatin is strictly bovine, non-porcine.
Videos about IBS Diet Kit #2 Eating for IBS, Tummy Fiber Acacia, Peppermint Capsules
Sara from BOYNTON BEACH, FL
Purchased on 9/22/2024
Reviewed on 10/13/2024
This is the only product I found ever that helps with my IBS.
After going to many gastrologist, having every test done. They all came back normal. Just gave me more pills. Nothing helped until I found Heather‘s tummy care. Bought her book and products. And it worked. No more pills, no more pain. Just follow her advice.
Elizabeth from El Rito, NM
Purchased on 7/10/2024
Reviewed on 7/31/2024
The Peppermint oil pills Work
Its great. The day after they arrived I woke up with a tummy ache and I had not slept well due to tummy ache. I got up early took a peppermint pill and lay back down. I could actually feel the peppermint soothing my tummy and when I got up later I was ok.
Magic pills as far as I can tell. Thank you Thank You. Elizabeth in NM
John from Orange Beach, AL
Purchased on 4/20/2024
Reviewed on 5/11/2024
So glad I found your website!.
After years of gut problems, and trying different doctors and all kinds of remedies, Heather's website information and products have started giving me some relief and control. All the information available on her website explains more about IBS than any gastroenterologists and GP doctors that I've seen.
Thanks Heather and your team!
Beth from LITTLETON, NC
Purchased on 3/13/2023
Reviewed on 4/3/2023
I have started reading the book and looking at the recipes. Have not cooked any yet. It seems to be very helpful.
I have been taking the fiber powder for about 4-5 days. Not sure when to increase the amount.
Haven't taken the gel capsule yet. What it the best product that will help after you eat and need to leave and drive and will help give me peace of mind that I will not have an attack? Thank you!
Cynthia from BURTCHVILLE, MI
Purchased on 11/19/2022
Reviewed on 12/10/2022
First time purchaser
What an education! What awesome, helpful products to get me through the learning stage. Finally, relief is in sight. Can't thank you enough. Will be sharing this information and product availability with my doctor!!!
Kathleen from RICHBORO, PA
Purchased on 8/31/2022
Reviewed on 9/21/2022
Excellent products
I am feeling better since using your products. I am trying to wean off Metamucil and use the acacia powder. I am learning a great deal from the book! Ty so much.
