Things You Can't Eat With Ibs

Characterized by altered bowel habits and abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, affects adults and elderly people. The most common pattern is constipation alternating with diarrhea, with one of these symptoms predominating, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." IBS symptoms may be caused or exacerbated by one or more foods in 25 percent of patients, according to the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association." A meticulous dietary history may reveal foods that aggravate symptoms.

Caffeine

Common irritable bowel syndrome-provoking agents include coffee, tea, chocolate, and medications containing caffeine, according to the journal "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases." Caffeine quickly stimulates the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea.

Poorly Absorbed Carbohydrates

Sorbitol, a poorly absorbed carbohydrate found in sugarless chewing gum, diet drinks, and artificial sweeteners, can precipitate irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, according to "Office Practice of Medicine." Foods containing high amounts of fructose, or high-fructose corn syrup in honey, grapes, and raisins aggravate the gastrointestinal tract.

Fatty Foods

Irritable bowel syndrome patients exhibit increased sigmoid motility and serotonin secretion after a meal, which can cause diarrhea. People with IBS should avoid fatty foods like pizza, sauces, gravies, stews, soups, fried foods, spiced foods, and barbecued foods that contain multiple substances that stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, according to the journal "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases."

Fermentable, Nonabsorbed Carbohydrates

If gas is a problem, foods that make irritable bowel syndrome symptoms worse include fermentable, nonabsorbed carbohydrates like beans, cabbage, brussels sprouts, onions, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and celery, according to "Office Practice of Medicine." The fermentation process takes up to 48 hours; consequently, delayed gas and bloating due to foods and beverages commonly occurs, according to the journal "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases."

Bread

People with irritable bowel syndrome should avoid bagels, sourdough and multigrain bread. In comparison, bread that is not a problem includes white bread, Italian bread, and English muffins, according to the journal "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases."