Irritable bowel syndrome is a digestive disorder characterized by abdominal cramps, bloating and alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are usually triggered directly after a meal, so it can be helpful to determine which specific foods cause symptoms and avoid these foods. An elimination diet is often the best way to determine the foods that exacerbate symptoms.
Basics
An elimination diet involves removing specific foods and food additives from the diet in an effort to narrow down the foods that are causing undesirable symptoms. Cleveland Clinic notes that a physician or dietitian will supervise an elimination diet during the first two to three weeks.
Planning
There are four major steps to follow to ensure a successful outcome. The first step is planning. During the planning step, the individual affected by irritable bowel syndrome keeps a food diary, usually for a week. Food items, serving sizes and symptoms are written down in the food diary.
Avoiding
The second step, which lasts for two weeks, is called avoiding. During the avoiding step, all forbidden foods are avoided. When on the elimination diet, avoid milk, tea, coffee, soda, eggs, bacon, lunch meat, peanuts, peas, processed foods, citrus fruit, sugar, wheat, chocolate, food dyes, beans and corn. Fruits that were consumed more than once per week prior to beginning the elimination diet should also be avoided. The University of Wisconsin Integrative Medicine notes that during this step, food labels must be read carefully. Initially, the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome will become worse before they become better.
Challenging
The third step of an elimination diet is called challenging. During this phase, the dieter reintroduces one food group at a time back into the diet. This food group can be eaten for one day only and a new food group should be reintroduced every three days, according to the University of Wisconsin Integrative Medicine. During this phase, reintroduced foods and resulting symptoms are recorded.
Long-term Diet
The final step of an elimination diet is the creation of a long-term diet. Using the information obtained during the first three steps of the diet, the dieter and a physician or dietitian will determine which foods cause the symptoms. Once these foods are determined, a long-term eating plan will be made.
Symptoms of Food Sensitivity
While abdominal cramps, bloating, constipation and diarrhea are the characteristic symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, there are also a number of other signs and symptoms that can indicate food sensitivity as well. These symptoms include fatigue, nasal congestion, dark under-eye circles, headaches, muscle aches, irritability, memory loss and hyperactivity, according to the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Association of America. The occurrence of any of these symptoms should be noted in a food diary.
