Not necessary but it can help. See your GP first. Coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and some infections cause similar symptoms and need different treatment. Coeliac testing in particular must be done while you are still eating gluten, so starting a restricted diet early can make the result unreliable. Once other causes are excluded, dietary treatment for IBS is safe and effective to begin.

No. The elimination phase typically runs for two to six weeks, long enough to see whether symptoms settle. After that you reintroduce foods one group at a time to find your personal thresholds. Staying in the elimination phase long term narrows your diet unnecessarily, can reduce nutrient intake, and may reduce the diversity of bacteria in your bowel.

It depends on the type. Soluble fibre, found in oats, psyllium, chia and citrus, holds water and often improves both constipation and diarrhoea. Insoluble fibre, such as wheat bran and raw vegetable skins, adds bulk and can increase bloating and pain in a sensitive gut. The amount matters too: gradual increases are tolerated far better than sudden ones.

Some are, but the effect is strain-specific rather than general. Certain strains have evidence for reducing bloating or overall symptom scores, while many supermarket products have not been tested in IBS at all. A four-week trial of one product at a time, with symptoms recorded, tells you more than switching between brands. Your dietitian can help you choose and evaluate one.

Usually not. Many people who feel better without wheat are reacting to fructans, a FODMAP found in wheat, rye, onion and garlic, rather than to gluten itself. That distinction matters because sourdough, spelt and small portions of wheat are often tolerated. Testing this properly during reintroduction can return bread and pasta to your diet.

Yes, with planning. Legumes are a core protein source and also high in FODMAPs, but canned and rinsed chickpeas or lentils are tolerated in small portions, and firm tofu, tempeh, eggs, quinoa and nuts fill the gap. Protein, iron, calcium and B12 need checking during the elimination phase, which is why supervision matters more for plant-based eaters.