Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

What is the Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

When you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it is very important to eat the foods and follow the eating habits that are best for your condition. IBS may cause various symptoms such as pain in the abdomen, constipation, or diarrhea.

Choosing the right foods can help to ease the discomfort from these symptoms. Work with your health care provider and diet and nutrition specialist (dietitian) to find the eating plan that will help to control your symptoms.

What are tips for following this Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

• Keep a food diary. This will help you identify foods that cause symptoms. Write down:
  • What you eat and when you eat it.
  • What symptoms you have.
  • When symptoms occur in relation to your meals, such as “pain in abdomen 2 hours after dinner.”
• Eat your meals slowly and in a relaxed setting.
• Aim to eat 5–6 small meals per day. Do notskip meals.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
• Ask your health care provider if you should take an over-the-counter probiotic to help restore healthy bacteria in your gut (digestive tract).
  • Probiotics are foods that contain good bacteria and yeasts.

Your dietitian may have specific dietary recommendations for you based on your symptoms. He or she may recommend that you:

• Avoid foods that cause symptoms. Talk with your dietitian about other ways to get the same nutrients that are in those problem foods.
• Avoid foods with gluten. Gluten is a protein that is found in rye, wheat, and barley.
• Eat more foods that contain soluble fiber. Examples of foods with high soluble fiber include oats, seeds, and certain fruits and vegetables. Take a fiber supplement if directed by your dietitian.
• Reduce or avoid certain foods called FODMAPs. These are foods that contain carbohydrates that are hard to digest. Ask your doctor which foods contain these carbohydrates.

What foods are not recommended?

The following are some foods and drinks that may make your symptoms worse:

• Fatty foods, such as french fries.
• Foods that contain gluten, such as pasta and cereal.
• Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and ice cream.
• Chocolate.
• Alcohol.
• Products with caffeine, such as coffee.
• Carbonated drinks, such as soda.
• Foods that are high in FODMAPs. These include certain fruits and vegetables.
• Products with sweeteners such as honey, high fructose corn syrup, sorbitol, and mannitol.

What foods are good sources of fiber?

Your health care provider or dietitian may recommend that you eat more foods that contain fiber. Fiber can help to reduce constipation and other IBS symptoms. Add foods with fiber to your diet a little at a time so your body can get used to them. Too much fiber at one time might cause gas and swelling of your abdomen. The following are some foods that are good sources of fiber:

• Berries, such as raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries.
• Tomatoes.
• Carrots.
• Brown rice.
• Oats.
• Seeds, such as chia and pumpkin seeds.

Where to find more information

• International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Summary

• When you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it is very important to eat the foods and follow the eating habits that are best for your condition.
• IBS may cause various symptoms such as pain in the abdomen, constipation, or diarrhea.
• Choosing the right foods can help to ease the discomfort that comes from symptoms.
• Keep a food diary. This will help you identify foods that cause symptoms.
• Your health care provider or diet and nutrition specialist (dietitian) may recommend that you eat more foods that contain fiber.

The items listed above may not be a complete list of recommended sources of fiber. Contact your dietitian for more options.