Irritable Bowel Syndrome caused by Diet? | Nutrition & Diet | Forum

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a complex disorder with a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be related to diet. Poor eating habits such as skipping meals, low intake of fiber and fluid, excessive fatty food intake, sensitivity to milk and other dairy products (aka lactose intolerant) and too much caffeine and alcohol need to be addressed as a first step in helping relieve symptoms in IBS. All of these things will just make it worse so do what you can for yourself upfront before tackling any more difficult issues in relation to your potential IBS.

Some general dietary advice for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

The most common dietary treatment for irritable bowel syndrome has been, and still is, a high fiber diet. While this is still a great recommendation for most people, especially those who are suffering from constipation, some people will not benefit from an increase in dietary fiber, and in some the symptoms may even get worse. Like any change in diet the increase in fiber should be a gradual one, and involve a variety of fibers and an adequate fluid intake of at least 1.5 litres per day. The majority of the fluids should be water, but dilute tea or juices may be suitable for some people. Caffeinated drinks such as coffee, and carbonated soft drinks can aggravate the symptoms and should be limited, especially in the initial stages of changing your diet to combat the IBS.

IBS symptoms tend to be increased following large meals, particularly if the meal is high in fat, and if the meal is eaten quickly. So take a moment in life and SLOW IT DOWN when eating. That extra 5 minutes at the dinner table can very well save you an hour of discomfort. It can be helpful to spread your daily eating habits to 3 meals and 3 snacks per day. Also make sure that once you are done eating, you try to relax after the meal. Adding in some regular light exercise can also help reduce symptoms and keep your body functioning properly.

Excessive flatulence:

If excessive wind is a problem then exclusion of the vegetables that can cause flatulence including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and legumes including baked beans may be helpful. Give it a break on the gassy stuff, you're trying to feel better not be a wind tunnel. You can try to reintroduce these food items (1 at a time) once the symptoms have settled. Carbonated soft drinks can also exacerbate symptoms so try to keep drinking water especially in those early stages. Just like the food, your daily fluid intake should be spread across the entire day.

Some individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome may find that removing all lactose from their diet may be beneficial. Lactose is found principally in dairy products such as milk and ice creams, cheeses, and even yogurts! Remember that these foods do supply important nutrients for your body, and reducing consumption of them can affect calcium intakes. Remember to contact your local nutritionist or doctor before adding any supplements to your diet if you are looking to "make up" for the lost calcium.

Food sensitivities for IBS sufferers:

Recent studies have highlighted that the possible role of food sensitivities in some IBS sufferers can really make a big difference in how you will feel day to day. You can help yourself by watching what you eat, and keeping track of what you had on good days and bad days. Using that process of elimination to help you in the exclusion of obvious trigger foods. In complex cases an elimination diet may be necessary. This involves the exclusion of a wide range of food, followed by 'challenges' to identify the problem foods. Elimination diets are for short-term use only as they are nutritionally unbalanced. They should be supervised by a dietitian who has experience in this field.

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