If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, you are probably plagued with numerous gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating and gas. Although you should first consult with a doctor to put you on a proper medical treatment plan, you can also incorporate dietary changes into your lifestyle to help you better manage your symptoms at home.
Step 1
Eat a wide variety of foods that contain soluble and insoluble fiber to improve intestinal function, says FamilyDoctor.org. Foods that contain insoluble fiber, such as wheat bran, whole grain bread and pasta and beans add bulk to your stool and help move waste material through your digestive system. Foods that contain soluble fiber, such as fruits and vegetables and psyllium husk, a dietary herb, help to ease constipation and diarrhea. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that a doctor may recommend an IBS patient take 1/2 to 1 tsp. of a powdered psyllium husk supplement once daily at first, then gradually increase the dosage to four times daily to help ease symptoms.
Step 2
Drink eight to 10 glasses of water each day. Water helps fiber move through your gastrointestinal system. Therefore, if you do not drink enough water, you could become constipated, which can worsen your IBS symptoms.
Step 3
Eliminate or severely restrict carbonated beverages from your diet. Carbonated beverages can initiate intestinal gas, which could make your IBS symptoms worse.
Step 4
Keep a food journal to determine what foods trigger your IBS symptoms, suggests the UMMC. Write down what foods you eat for each meal, and how you feel before and after you eat the meals. Discuss your findings with your registered dietician and conventional medical doctor to determine whether you have hidden food allergies that are causing your irritable bowel syndrome.
Step 5
Eat five to six mini-meals throughout the day instead of a large breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eating small meals eases the load on your digestive system, which in turn can lessen your IBS symptoms over time.
Step 6
Eliminate foods such as ice cream and ice-cold drinks from your diet to maintain a calmer GI tract. Cold foods cause your intestines to restrict, which could initiate an IBS flare-up, says Help for IBS website. Therefore, avoid cold foods as much as you possibly can.
Step 7
Eliminate alcohol and artificial sweeteners from your diet. These foods can over-stimulate your intestines and cause diarrhea, says the American Dietetic Association on EatRight.org. Replace artificial sweeteners with natural sweeteners such as agave nectar, and talk to your doctor about your alcohol use if it is excessive and you have trouble giving it up.
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