Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a gastrointestinal disease characterized by abnormal changes in bowel movements, ranging from diarrhea to constipation, that cause abdominal pain and cramps. IBS usually occurs after a gastrointestinal infection and is often manageable with dietary changes. Consult your doctor about meal plans for IBS.
Breakfast
A healthy breakfast includes a bowl of mixed fruit, such as strawberries, raspberries, bananas, peaches, watermelon, mango and cantaloupe, topped with mixed nuts and soy yogurt. Fruits contain high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Mixed nuts, such as almonds, pecans, hazelnuts and walnuts, contain protein, healthy fats and fiber. Soy yogurt is a good source of protein, calcium, healthy fats and antioxidants, including isoflavones and fiber. People with irritable bowel syndrome can benefit from a high-fiber diet, as long as the foods do not contain gluten, a protein in wheat, barley and rye, which can cause intestinal inflammation. Eating foods with fiber can relieve symptoms associated with IBS, according to research by scientists at the University of Valladolid, Spain, published in "Nutrition" in September 2004.
Lunch
For lunch, have a bowl of tomato rice soup followed by baked halibut with steamed spinach and broiled potatoes. Halibut is a cold water fatty fish that contains healthy fats called omega-3 fatty acids. Research by scientists at Albany Medical College in New York, published in "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" in January 2007, reports that rice, fish and potatoes are tolerated by people with IBS. Eating gluten-free foods can help the intestines return to normal after six months, according to research by scientists at the Ernst Moritz Arndt University in Greifswald, Germany, published in "Clinical Gastroenterology Hepatology" in July 2007.
Dinner
Enjoy a plate of roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, corn bread and carrots. These foods are gluten free and tolerated by people IBS. Since each person with IBS differs in the types of foods that induce discomfort, you can choose the particular vegetables or food items that do not trigger your symptoms.
Snacks
Snacks are especially important to people with IBS since physicians often advise patients to eat smaller more frequent meals to avoid symptoms. Eggs, soy products, peanuts and rice are foods that do not normally pose any problems. Eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on gluten-free bread or a cup of rice pudding can satisfy your hunger and palate.
References
- PubMed Health; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; July 7, 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Gluten-Free Diet; Jan. 29, 2010
- "Nutrition"; Effects of a High-Fiber Diet on Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial; Rocio Aller, et al.; September 2004
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; June 25, 2009
- "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases"; Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Outpatients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using a Food and Beverage Intolerance, Food and Beverage Avoidance Diet; Richard MacDermott; January 2007
- "Clinical Gastroenterology Hepatology"; Predictors of Clinical Response to Gluten-Free Diet in Patients Diagnosed with Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Ulrich Wahnschaffe, et al.; July 2007
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