Irritable bowel syndrome affects the large intestine, causing abdominal pain, gas, cramping, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. Although IBS can be very uncomfortable, it does not permanently damage the colon. Many people manage this condition by changing their diet and paying attention to what foods trigger symptoms. Following your health practitioner's guidelines, eating recommended foods that do not aggravate your condition and trying to live a healthier, less stressful life, can help to alleviate symptoms and manage your irritable bowel syndrome.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Some people suffering from IBS find that when they eat certain foods their symptoms intensify. Cruciferous vegetables can exacerbate common IBS problems, such as gas and cramps. That does not mean that you can never eat these nutritious, fiber-rich vegetables. Once you have been diagnosed with IBS, your health care provider might suggest taking a break from high fiber vegetables and then slowly adding small portions of these vegetables, including broccoli and cauliflower .
Keep track of the foods you eat and to note which foods aggravate your irritable bowel syndrome. As your digestive tract adjusts to foods with fiber, you may find that the symptoms decrease, and gradually, you can begin eating a variety of vegetables that once caused discomfort.
Starchy Vegetables
Potatoes are high in soluble fiber, a low residue fiber that can be soothing to the digestive tract. Soluble fibers absorb some of the water in your colon and form a gel that helps move fecal matter through the intestines. The soluble fiber in foods helps stabilize and regulate intestinal contractions, but high residue foods that contain insoluble fiber can cause bloating and gas. When introducing or re-introducing certain vegetables to your diet, slowly add small amounts of foods that contain soluble fiber and are prepared in a way that does not irritate your gastrointestinal tract. You can try baked or boiled potatoes, sweet potatoes, mashed peas and pureed beans, but if any of these foods aggravate your condition, stop eating it for awhile.
Vegetables With Soluble Fiber
Irritable bowel syndrome is sometimes called a "functional disorder" because the colon shows no signs of disease when it is examined, yet the condition is very real and has different triggers for individuals afflicted with IBS. A high-fiber diet, consisting of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods, is recommended for IBS patients by many health practitioners. In a 2004 Lehigh Valley Health Network factsheet, dietitian Janet Zusi explains that soluble fibers in foods are less likely than insoluble fibers to irritate the colon and intestines. Some examples of vegetables composed of soluble fibers are carrots, mushrooms, beets, squash, parsnips and some soy products. Vegetables are less likely to cause intestinal discomfort if they are cooked, mashed, pureed or used in drinks and soups.
Health experts may not always agree that eating foods with more soluble or less insoluble fiber helps reduce or prevent IBS symptoms. For some people who have IBS, eating fiber-rich foods leads to symptoms such as gas and bloating.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- VirginiaTech: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- American Academy of Family Physicians (FamilyDoctor.org) : Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Tips on Controlling Your Symptoms
- University of North Carolina Wilmington: Tips for Relieving Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- American Gastroenterological Association: Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network: Diet Dos and Don'ts for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
