An irritable bowel diet can help alleviate symptoms of IBS, but it varies for each person. Keeping a food journal, avoiding trigger foods like caffeine and dairy, and eating small, fiber-rich meals can help regulate symptoms. Hydration is also important.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a stomach and intestinal disorder that causes cramps, constipation, diarrhea, and other abdominal discomfort. Although there is no cure for the disorder, certain foods have been known to cause flare-ups of the condition. By creating an irritable bowel diet, chronic IBS sufferers can alleviate some of their discomfort and function more normally.
An irritable bowel diet is not a concrete concept. People can be triggered or sensitive to different foods, and what may help one patient may cause symptoms in another. Learning to develop an irritable bowel diet requires careful observation of the foods that are eaten and how they affect the digestive system. Some experts recommend keeping a daily food journal to help determine which foods may calm or upset your stomach.
Most IBS conditions are the result of the stomach not being able to properly process some types of food. Foods high in fat, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners tend to cause painful symptoms in many IBS patients. Most dairy products should be avoided, as many people with IBS develop some form of lactose intolerance, but some IBS patients recommend probiotic yogurt for its beneficial bacteria that can aid digestion.
Hydration is an important part of an irritable bowel diet. Drinking enough water can help regulate symptoms and prevent dehydration during bouts of diarrhea. Alcohol, coffee, and caffeinated soft drinks and teas have been linked to IBS symptoms in some patients, and may need to be avoided.
Because IBS affects the digestive system, many irritable bowel diets recommend eating small meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals. Giving the digestive system less time to process it at once can help prevent any symptoms from appearing. Eating small meals can also help identify specific foods that cause an adverse reaction; after a big meal, it can be hard to tell which food caused which problem.
For many patients, an irritable bowel diet should be high in fiber to help combat flare-ups of the condition. Eating double fiber bread and green leafy vegetables can provide additional fiber that can regulate intestinal problems. One of the main concerns of IBS patients is the development of gluten intolerance. Have a doctor test you for gluten allergies before stocking up on fiber-rich whole grain breads.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is not only healthy, but may be beneficial for many people with IBS. However, patients who have adverse reactions to acid-rich foods should be careful with citrus fruits, which can cause stomach upset. Combined with soy protein or white meat and fiber-heavy carbohydrates, an IBS patient can avoid many unpleasant flare-ups.
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