Can Changing Your Diet Help With IBS?

For countless people after eating is the time they expect IBS symptoms to increase. And for some people particular types of  foods tend to make it worse.

There doesn’t always seem to be a certain food that causes all sufferers to have worse signs and symptoms. Physicians do not recommend a specific diet to handle symptoms. Nevertheless, with a process of elimination some sufferers find they do far better if they don’t eat particular foods. These foods may cause the intestines to contract, which can aggravate IBS in people who have looseness of the bowels as their major symptom.

A cautious 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 doctor. You may want to seek advice from a registered dietitian who can help you make changes to your diet.

Dairy, for example, is something you should eat less of if you find that it increases your symptoms. You might be able to put up with yogurt better than other dairy products due to the fact it contains bacteria that provide the enzyme required to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk products. Of course dairy is a good source of calcium, amongst other things. 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.

Constipation, one of the possible symptoms of I.B.S. can be made easier in many cases with dietary fiber. Fiber, however, won’t aid with diarrhea or reducing any pain levels you might have. Good natural sources of fiber are found in things like fruit and vegetables, of course, but also in whole grain products.

High fiber diets keep the colon mildly distended, which may help prevent spasms. There is some fiber that can help keep your stools ’softer’ so they’re easier to pass. That’s because it helps the stools to retain more water. Doctors usually recommend a diet with enough fiber to produce soft, painless bowel movements. High fiber diets may cause gas and bloating, although some people report that these symptoms go away 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.

Large meals can cause cramping and diarrhea, so eating smaller meals more often, or eating smaller portions, may help IBS symptoms. 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. They do this by causing rapid spasm or contractions – similar to a ‘charley horse’ – in the colon and that’s why they can cause constipation or diarrhea. 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.

Eat slowly and have meals in a quiet, calming environment.