IBS And Diet
For patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, commonly
referred to as IBS, life becomes challenging. Depending on the
severity of your disorder, it can have a profound affect on
your life. For those who are unfamiliar with the disorder, it
is an intestinal disorder that is usually characterized by
abdominal pain, irregular bowel patterns, and constipation or
diarrhea.
Although the causes for IBS are unclear, doctors have noticed
that changing your diet can really help relieve IBS symptoms.
For some sufferers of the disorder, implementing a proper meal
plan can be the key to paving the road to reconnecting with the
life you enjoyed before IBS interfered.
Since many patients don?t realize how much diet can affect IBS
symptoms, they continue to make poor food choices. Certain
foods can actually trigger IBS episodes, causing constipation
or more commonly diarrhea. Although these ?trigger? foods often
differ from person to person, there are certain foods that
doctors suggest that patients eat, and others that they should
avoid.
One thing that you need to remember is to avoid coffee and
caffeine. Yes, this even means saying no to a cup of decaf. The
same is true of alcoholic beverages. These types of beverages
have been linked to IBS episodes and should be avoided if you
suffer from IBS.
The bottom line when concentrating on developing an IBS
friendly diet is that any food that is high in insoluble fiber
or fat isn?t a good food choice. You may ask yourself why this
is? It is because these types of food and the beverages
mentioned above can cause disruptive reactions to your
gastrocolic reflex. This is like a chain reaction that affects
the muscles in your colon. What does that mean for you? It
means pain. It can mean constipation or diarrhea accompanied by
bloating or gas.
So what should you eat? The good news is that an IBS friendly
diet doesn?t mean deprivation. You can still enjoy tasty foods.
You can indulge in healthy foods without totally denying
yourself of foods that you enjoy.
The best way to find the proper foods to eat is to talk to your
doctor. Aside from developing a special meal plan, there are
some things you should keep in mind to help you make better
food choices.
The first thing you need to do is cut down on sugar. This
doesn?t mean you can?t eat an occasional candy bar, but you
might want to opt for sugar-free snacks when possible. With so
many tasty alternatives, this is now easier than ever. Remember
that sugar is also found in breads. You want to avoid
overindulging on bread products.
When it comes to dairy products, milk doesn?t always ?do a body
good?? particularly if you suffer from IBS. Limit your dairy
consumption since it has been linked particularly with
diarrhea.
Say no to foods like jalapenos or extra spicy dishes. These
types of foods can wreak havoc on your intestines. When
seasoning your food, use moderation. Spicy food may taste
great, but your stomach may not thank you later.
A great snack or meal is soup with meat. Make sure you don?t
load up that soup with starchy vegetables. Avoid putting
grains, corn, or rice in your soup since these foods could
agitate IBS symptoms.
If you are eating vegetables, make sure to cook them. Raw
veggies or fruit should be avoided or taken in moderation. If
you do indulge in them, make sure to use a dressing that has
some acid in it. This can counteract the effects of the raw
fruit or vegetables.
Remember that there is no one set diet that will ensure you
minimize your IBS symptoms as everyone with IBS has different
requirements. To help you decide on the right diet for you, you
may want to keep a diet diary. Identify which particular foods
trigger your IBS symptoms and try to avoid them. Educated food
choices can make a real difference in the lives of IBS
patients.
About The Author: Susan Reynolds has an interest in IBS. For
further information on IBS please visit
http://www.natural-irritable-bowel-syndrome-relief.com/ibs.html
or
http://natural-irritable-bowel-syndrome-relief.com/blog/2006/08/19/ibs-and-diet/
..
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