Can a change in your diet help your irritable bowel syndrome?

For numerous people after eating is when they anticipate the symptoms of IBS to be worse. Signs and symptoms can be made much more intense by certain types of foodstuff.

There doesn’t seem to be a certain food that causes all people to have more serious symptoms. Doctors do not advocate a specific diet to deal with symptoms. But through trial and error, a lot of people find that they feel much better when they stop eating certain food. Those foods might aggravate IBS symptoms, by triggering intestinal contraction – this is particularly true of sufferers whose chief symptom is diarrhea.

A careful eating plan can reduce symptoms for many I.B.S. sufferers. If you keep a regular record you can see which foods tend to cause the most symptoms. Always discuss your results with your general practitioner. A registered dietitian can advise how you might change your diet. For instance, if dairy products cause your symptoms to flare up, you can try eating less of those foods. You may well be able to put up with yogurt better than other dairy products because it includes bacteria that provide the enzyme needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk products. Dairy products are an important source of calcium and other nutrients. If you do find that you have to avoid dairy then it’s important to ensure you get plenty of nutrients in the rest of your food. You may even have to take a supplement.

In many cases, dietary fiber may reduce IBS symptoms, particularly constipation. However, it may not help with lowering pain or reducing diarrhea. Good natural sources of fiber are found in things like fruit and vegetables, of course, but also in whole grain products. A high-fiber diet keeps your colon a little bit ‘full’ and that can help to prevent colonic spasm. Some fiber also helps to keep your stool softer and easier to pass, by helping the stool retain water. Doctors tend to recommend enough fiber in your diet to help cause painless, easy bowel movements. For some people there is a side effect of gas and bloating, but it tends to go within a few weeks. Increasing fiber intake by 2 to 3 grams per day will help reduce the risk of increased gas and bloating.

Drinking six to eight glasses of plain water a day is important, especially if you have diarrhea. Don’t forget that sodas can also increase gassiness and bloating – they are not a substitute for water. Chewing gum and eating too quickly can lead to swallowing air, which also leads to gas.

You may find that you can improve or reduce your IBS symptoms just by eating smaller meals more frequently. Large meals can sometimes cause diarrhea and cramping so switching to smaller meals can be helpful. Eating meals that are low in fat and high in carbohydrates such as pasta, rice, whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables may help.

Limit or eliminate foods that may make diarrhea worse, including caffeine, alcohol, foods high in sugar, fatty foods, gas producing foods such as beans, cabbage, and broccoli, and the artificial sweeteners sorbitol and xylitol often used in sugarless gum and sugarless candy.

Fats are pretty powerful stimulants to your G.I. tract – they can cause constipation and diarrhea. Fats can cause the same type of rapid spasms or “charley horse” muscle contractions in the colon, and again result in either diarrhea or constipation. The foods that seem to be the biggest triggers for IBS are generally high in saturated fats. Foods like red meat, fried food, dairy products. Foods like dairy and meat contain certain proteins that can be very difficult for the body to digest.

It’s a very good idea to take your time when eating and whenever possible to eat in a relaxing atmosphere – stress at the dinner table is a bad idea.