Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic lower intestinal disease that is affected by emotional stress. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, loss of appetite and diarrhea. There is no cure for IBS, but you can follow a diet regimen to relieve the symptoms. Some foods make the symptoms worse and should be avoided. Others you should eat more of to achieve a symptom-free life.
Diagnosis
IBS is usually diagnosed through exclusion, when it is determined that the symptoms are not caused by other diseases such as Crohn's disease, diverticulitis or colitis.
Treatment
Treatment of IBS is usually a lifestyle change that relieves the symptoms. Being physically active and having adequate sleep usually reduces anxiety and stress, which relieves some of the symptoms of IBS. However, the most popular treatment is dietary therapy. There is no specific diet regimen that can be prescribed for IBS in general, because each person presents different symptoms. Therefore, you should keep a record of foods that are irritating and foods that you can tolerate well. Avoid changing dietary practices too abruptly, and gradually ease into new diet practices.
Foods that Cause Irritation
Certain types of foods are generally not tolerated among patients with IBS. Avoid whole milk, whole milk cheeses and heavy cream due to their high fat content. Avoid grains that your body does not tolerate. The main restrictions in the meat and proteins group are related to the fat content of these foods. Foods that you should avoid include meat marbled with fat, poultry with skin, deli meats such as hot dogs, sausages, salami, and bacon; and fried meats, poultry, fish or eggs. Also, avoid dried beans and peas as these foods tend to cause gas.
As with the grains, you should test your tolerance of vegetables. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, leeks and corn may cause gas. Avoid prune or grape juice as the sugar content coupled with their laxative properties may cause diarrhea.
Limit your fat consumption to one teaspoon of butter, oil, or salad dressing per meal. This includes the oil that you use for cooking.
Avoid caffeinated or carbonated drinks. Caffeine is a diuretic that may result in constipation. Carbonated drinks will increase bloating and gas. Avoid high-fat sweets and desserts such as cakes, pastries, ice-cream, cookies and doughnuts.
Tips for Planning Meals
How you eat is equally important as what you eat. Creating a regular schedule for your meals will help your digestive system keep a routine. Aim for four to six small meals a day, and try not to skip any of them.
If constipation is a grave problem for you, increasing your fiber intake gradually may help relieve it. Foods such as whole wheat, oats, brown rice, nuts, fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber.
Keep yourself hydrated. Drink seven to nine glasses of water a day. Keeping yourself hydrated will help relieve constipation or prevent any serious complications related to the dehydration that may be caused by diarrhea.
Sample One-Day Menu
The first meal of the day can consist of one cup of oatmeal cooked with water or low-fat milk and one fruit. Follow this meal with a snack, such as a cup of natural fruit or vegetable juice and a quarter cup of almonds.
For lunch, eat something with a little more sustenance, such as three to four ounces of grilled or baked chicken breast with half a cup of cooked vegetables and a third of a cup of cooked rice. If you are looking to increase your fiber intake, change the cooked white rice for cooked brown rice.
In the afternoon, a possible snack could be eating an apple with one teaspoon of peanut butter and a cup of hot decaffeinated tea. This will give you an energy boost without exacerbating any symptoms.
For dinner, a sample menu could consist of four to five ounces of baked fish, one cup of broth-based soup and one loaf of whole wheat bread. For some people this will be enough food for the day, but you may add another snack if you wish. A sample night-time snack is three whole grain crackers with low-fat cottage cheese.
References
- Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Disease; Mark DeLegge (editor); 2010.
- IBS-Life: Foods to Avoid With IBS
