Maintaining a healthy diet is especially important when you have irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. IBS is a condition that affects your large intestine. Symptoms of this condition include bloating, irregular bowels, abdominal discomfort, and abdominal cramping. According to MedlinePlus, some people may experience diarrhea, or constipation, or both, and certain foods may aggravate your IBS symptoms.
Alcohol and Caffeine
According to MayoClinic.com, alcohol and other beverages with caffeine may aggravate your IBS symptoms. MayoClinic.com says that these beverages act to stimulate your intestines, leading to or worsening symptoms such as diarrhea. They recommend that you choose water and limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine sources.
Gas-Producing Foods
Foods that commonly lead to gas may be a problem for people with IBS. Certain foods can act to increase the gas in your body, and this can worsen symptoms of IBS including bloating, flatulence, and cramping pains in the abdomen. According to MayoClinic.com, common gas-producing foods include broccoli, cabbage, beans, and cauliflower. You may need to avoid or limit these foods in order to avoid triggering or aggravating your IBS symptoms.
High-Fiber Foods
According to MayoClinic.com, fiber can help reduce constipation in people, however, it can also increase symptoms of gas, bloating and cramping. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables and beans such as apples, pears, broccoli, dark leafy greens, black beans, and pinto beans. Other high-fiber foods include whole grains such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, barley, and whole-grain cereals. MayoClinic.com recommends that you increase the amount of fiber in your diet gradually, monitor symptoms, and drink plenty of fluid to prevent triggering constipation or other pain symptoms.
