Foods to Avoid with an Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) encompasses a group of gastrointestinal disorders such as bloating, cramping, abdominal pain and irregular bowel movement. Unlike other severe intestinal disorders, irritable bowel syndrome causes no long-term health problems and/or damages to the gastrointestinal tract. Many people suffer from irritable bowel syndrome at some points of their life. As per statistics, one out of every five adult Americans have irritable bowel syndrome.

There are no specific causes of irritable bowel syndrome. According to medical studies, it is revealed that majority of the patients with this bowel disorder have sensitive or overactive intestinal tract. The diagnosis of IBS is done based on the physical examination and medical history of the patient. In order to rule out other medical conditions, the physician may consider performing blood tests and stool test. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can be controlled effectively by managing stress, diet and making lifestyle changes.

Foods to Avoid with an Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The best long-term treatment option of irritable bowel syndrome is to follow a healthy diet and avoid foods that trigger the symptoms of IBS. Since people respond differently to different diets, there are no specific foods for irritable bowel syndrome. On the contrary, there are certain food items that exacerbate and/or worsen the symptoms of IBS. Following are some of the foods that are not recommended for people with irritable bowel syndrome:

Dairy Products
Irritable bowel syndrome is most common among people with lactose intolerance. In such a condition, one should avoid milk and other dairy products. Such food items can be replaced with yogurt or other probiotic drinks.

Fatty Foods
Fatty foods or foods rich in fats are strictly not recommended for irritable bowel syndrome. Fats are difficult to digest, thus causing intestinal spasms and aggravating the discomfort symptoms of IBS. Considering this, deep fried foods should be avoided.

Poultry and Red Meat
In majority of people with irritable bowel syndrome, poultry and red meat are main triggering foods. Hence, one should limit the intake of poultry and red meat to prevent the onset of IBS symptoms. Instead, a patient can include skinless white meat and seafood in the diet.

Vegetables
If bloating is the main problem, then one should avoid vegetables that trigger gas formation such as cabbage, broccoli, onion, garlic and bean. Limiting the intake of these vegetables help in managing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Fruits
For people with fructose intolerance, the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can be reduced to some extent by avoiding the fruits such as apple and grapes. Healthy fruits for IBS are banana and raisin.

Caffeine
Caffeinated foods like coffee and other soda drinks should be avoided, as caffeine worsens irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, one should limit the intake of soda or carbonate drinks in order to to prevent bloating.

Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweetener, particularly sorbitol, is commonly used in sugar-free candies and chewing gums. It causes diarrhea and other bowel problems. Hence, an individual with IBS should avoid artificial sweetener.

Alcohol
Alcohol is a gastric stimulant that may cause strong reactions in the gastrointestinal tract. Excessive consumption of alcohol worsens the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Speaking about the healthy foods for irritable bowel syndrome, the diet should include adequate amounts of fiber rich foods. Both types of fiber, either soluble or insoluble, help in improving bowel movement by maintaining the intestinal health. While including fiber rich foods, ensure that the amount is increased gradually, otherwise fiber taken in large amount at a time can lead to other bowel symptoms.