Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet

There are many different 'triggers' that lead to IBS and a bad diet is one of the top culprits for the cause of IBS. Many people find that their Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms become worse when they eat certain types of foods.

Before changing your diet, however, keep a journal for every meal that you eat for at least several weeks, and record the date, time, and foods that you eat during the day along with the duration and severity of any IBS symptoms that arise.

With this journal, a doctor or dietitian may be able to note a pattern to the triggering and worsening the symptoms of IBS, allowing you to change your diet and avoid the symptoms. For example,, if dairy products cause your IBS symptoms to flare up, then you could try eating less of those foods. However, dairy products are an important source of calcium and other nutrients, so if you reduce your intake of these, then you need to ensure that you get adequate nutrients in the foods you substitute, or else take supplements. You might be able to tolerate yogurt better than other dairy products because it contains bacteria that supply the enzyme needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk products. So, eating yogurt may help you better deal with the dairy products in your diet.

Drinking six to eight glasses of plain water a day is important, especially if you have diarrhea. The water your body loses needs to be replaced.

Drinking carbonated beverages, such as fizzy drinks and sodas, may result in gas which can cause discomfort and trigger other symptoms of IBS. Chewing gum and eating too quickly can lead to swallowing air, which also leads to gas. To avoid or reduce the symptoms of IBS, avoid foods and eating habits that cause gas.

Large meals can cause cramping and diarrhea and place additional stress on the colon. Eating smaller meals more often, or eating smaller portions, may help reduce the severity of the symptoms of IBS and also reduce the frequency at which these symptoms occur.

Eating meals that are low in fat and high in carbohydrates, such as pasta, rice, whole-grain breads and cereals (unless you have Celiac Disease ), fruits, and vegetables can help.

If by modifying your diet your condition does not improve then you may need to consider Irritable Bowel Syndrome medication which is a lot more powerful and can either be of the stronger perscribed variety or the herbal type which can be purchased easily on the Internet.