Steph McGovern reveals how she finally overcame health issue which affects millions and left her ‘really embarrassed’
THE TV presenter revealed the diet strategy that helped sort a major health issue she was facing.
Steph McGovern, who has dealt with a chronic condition since childhood, revealed how she has been able to manage her symptoms with the help of one simple diet trick.
The 42-year-old has shared her secret to managing her IBS symptoms, sharing the key strategy that has helped her keep the condition under control.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects the digestive system with symptoms such as cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation.
Steph gave details to the Mail on Sunday about her dietary habits, including that the salad she had at 2pm was her first meal of the day.
She revealed that sticking to a strict eating window has “totally sorted” her symptoms.
She said: “The earliest I eat is 11am and the latest is 7pm, although I fast for longer when I can. My IBS is totally sorted now.”
Steph previously mentioned that she “assumed that it was an intolerance”.
It wasn’t until later in life that she had her gut “tested”, but the findings “came out as the worst third of the population”.
Steph said: “It was one of those shocking moments and obviously I was being filmed at the time, but I was really embarrassed.”
The tests revealed she had a “bad diversity of bacteria” in her gut.
She also mentioned last year that she incorporates kimchi into her meals and enjoys “kefir drinks every so often”.
Intermittent fasting (IF), a dietary approach that alternates between periods of eating and fasting, comes in various forms such as the 5:2 diet, 16:8 plan, alternate day, and 24-hour fast.
The 16:8 method restricts food consumption to an eight-hour window each day. While some believe IF can aid weight loss, others warn of potential side effects like irritability and anxiety.
Medical News Today notes that research on the relationship between IBS and intermittent fasting is limited, with some researchers suggesting that IF might improve digestion and gut health.
However, other experts believe that eating smaller, more frequent meals may be more advantageous for individuals with IBS.
What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a long-term digestive condition that causes abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements.
It is a different from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, which means it’s related to problems with how your brain and gut work together. This can make your gut more sensitive and change how your bowel muscles contract.
Symptoms: Stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, excessive gas, urgent need to have a bowel movement, nausea, heartburn, and lack of energy.
Triggers: Eating certain foods, emotional stress, constipation, or diarrhea.
Duration: Symptoms can come and go over time, and can last for days, weeks, or months at a time.
Severity: Symptoms can vary between individuals and affect some people more severely than others.
Treatment: IBS is usually a lifelong problem. However, it’s possible to live a normal life with IBS with the right treatment and lifestyle changes. Some common approaches include:
- Dietary changes, such as eliminating or reducing problem foods
- Stress management techniques, such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and cognitive behavioral therapy
- Certain supplements and over-the-counter and prescription medications
Some famous people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include model, actress, and television host Tyra Banks, who revealed her IBS on her show Tyra.
The former Playboy Playmate and MTV host Jenny McCarthy has spoken about her IBS, which includes chronic diarrhea and gas.
The fitness star and mother Lucy Mecklenburgh has shared her experience with extreme bloating.
The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke has spoken about her IBS on This Morning.
Steph broke down in tears during her last ever episode of Packed Lunch back in December after The Sun revealed that Channel 4 axed its flagship daytime show two months prior.
Now she’s decided to step away from the camera and do something totally different.
The broadcaster revealed that she’s written a novel while at Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
Steph revealed: “Deadline is a book idea I’ve had since my early days on breakfast TV.
“Writing it has given me the chance to spend the last few years secretly living in a parallel universe where the high-pressured, high-profile environments I’ve worked in, and the colourful characters I’ve met along the way, have all fed into my own invented dark story of power, corruption and lies.
“I’m buzzing to be launching the book at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.
“I’ve been coming here to stalk my favourite authors for ten years. Now to be here as an author myself is mind blowing.”
Deadline will be published by Pan Fiction in July next year.
Channel 4 made the decision to axe Steph’s Packed Lunch because they are trying to “compete with streamers” such as Netflix and Apple TV.
A source told us at the time: “This decision has come totally out of the blue; Steph’s Packed Lunch has been going from strength to strength, and has an incredibly loyal fanbase.
“It feels like Channel 4 are shooting themselves in the foot with this one – citing the need to do less live programming in order to go toe to toe with Netflix et al. It’s nonsense.
“Channel 4 is supposed to be a public service broadcaster, offering viewing something a bit different, and pushing boundaries.
“And to axe a regional-based show seems like yet another cronyism move by an out-of-touch bunch of north London-luvvie execs.”
Steph’s Packed Lunch hit our screens in 2020.
The broadcaster launched the programme from her own home during lockdown and it soon became a huge fan favourite.
The last instalment aired in December at the channel’s first high profile regional launch, based at Leeds Dock.