Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine.
Symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain & cramping
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea or constipation, or both.
IBS is a chronic condition that you’ll need to manage long term. And many with IBS wonder – what is best for them to eat to avoid a ‘flare up’.
The Irritable bowel syndrome diet sets eating guidelines for people suffering from the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Adherence to the irritable bowel syndrome diet is crucial because this will help prevent the symptoms of this illness. However, there are instances when people fail to follow this diet strictly. There are certain instances when some people merely forget that a certain food can be bad for them.
There are seven specific areas in which people with irritable bowel syndrome fail to follow their diets:
1) Coffee – Coffee has become the heart of America today. No, a better term would be coffee has become the lifeblood of America. This is the reason why companies like Starbucks flourish in the United States. There’s no denying how much people today depend on coffee to fuel them for the day ahead.
However, did you know that coffee is a big “no-no” in the irritable bowel syndrome diet? This is not merely due to the caffeine, since decaffeinated coffee should also be avoided in the irritable bowel syndrome diet. Coffee should be avoided because there is an enzyme found in it that can trigger the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It is also an acidic drink which would cause your irritable bowel syndrome symptoms to worsen.
2) Yogurt – Since yogurt is promoted as being healthy for the digestive system, most people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome forget to exclude it from their diet. What people need to realize is that all dairy products must be left out of the irritable bowel syndrome diet. This is because the proteins whey and casein which are found inside yogurt and other dairy products are very difficult to digest. This means that eating dairy products are likely to trigger the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
3) Alcohol – Just as people are inclined to drink coffee in the morning, they are also inclined to consume alcohol in the evening. People say that alcohol helps in relaxation, but some are puzzled by this statement. This is because people also reason that they drink coffee to help them become alert. Does this mean that people need help in everything that they do? But that’s a question for another day.
Alcohol should be excluded from irritable bowel syndrome because it irritates your digestive tract, triggering symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
4) Vitamins – Some people think that they should take vitamins in order to avoid the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The truth is, however, different vitamins affect the body in different ways. Some vitamins could sooth the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and some could aggravate it. The only way to know for sure is to go consult your physician for some advice on which vitamins to include in your irritable bowel syndrome diet.
5) Avoiding fruits and vegetables – People who know that these contain insoluble fiber avoid fruits and vegetables because they think that these will trigger the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
However, you should realize that avoiding these foods could be akin to inviting diseases into your body. It is true that foods containing insoluble fiber can trigger your symptoms, but eating these foods with a quantity of soluble fiber will be the best thing you can do.
6) Soluble fiber – Some people neglect to take soluble fiber supplements. They might think that these supplements will aggravate their symptoms simply because soluble fiber is mainly advertised to be a laxative. However, people should know that soluble fiber is a stabilizer, and should be included in the irritable bowel syndrome diet to help you minimize the symptoms.
7) Soda – Carbonated drinks should not be included in your irritable bowel syndrome diet. These are not included in the advice to drink plenty of water. This is because of the fact that carbonated drinks will definitely trigger your irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
Knowing what foods to avoid can make all the difference with managing IBS.
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