5 Foods to Avoid with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a medical condition where a person experiences frequent abdominal symptoms, such as diarrhoea, constipation, or both.If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may notice your symptoms are triggered or worsened after you eat certain foods.

Although these trigger foods can be different for each person, some common “trigger foods” which tend to cause digestive symptoms have been identified through researches. If you are hoping to control their IBS better, it is advisable to begin by eliminating some or all of these foods, then re-introducing them, one at a time, to identify which ones may be worsening their symptoms.

Here is a list of foods to avoid with Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

* Diary

Dairy is problematic for two reasons. First, it contains fat, which can increase diarrhoea. And second, many people with IBS tend to be lactose intolerant.If you’re lactose intolerant and have IBS, you might want to consider dairy alternatives like rice milk and soy cheese. Eliminating dairy from your diet should be done with a doctor’s consultation in order to get a good calcium supplement.

* Fried Foods

The high fat content of the fried foods may be especially hard on the system for people with IBS. Frying food can actually change the chemical makeup of the food, making it more difficult to digest. Consider grilling or baking your favourite foods for a healthier option.

* Fried Foods

The high fat content of the fried foods may be especially hard on the system for people with IBS. Frying food can actually change the chemical makeup of the food, making it more difficult to digest. Consider grilling or baking your favourite foods for a healthier option.

* Beans and Legumes

Beans are generally a great source of protein and fibre, but they can cause IBS symptoms. While beans can increase bulk in stool to help constipation, they also increase gas, bloating, and cramps. If you’re like most people with IBS, you’ll want to add beans to your list of foods to avoid.

* Caffeinated Drinks

All caffeinated drinks have a stimulating effect on the intestines that can cause diarrhoea.Coffee, sodas, and energy drinks that contain caffeine can be triggers for people with IBS. It is advisable to replace the morning coffee or your energy drinks with a small snack or physical activity like a quick walk.

* Processed Foods

Processed foods often contain additives or preservatives that might trigger IBS flare-ups.A large number of processed foods, like chips or premade frozen meals, are also often fried or high in fat. It is recommended that people with IBS avoid consuming processed foods and replace them with freshly-made foods.

* Sugar-free sweeteners

Sugar-free sweeteners, also known as sugar alcohols, polyols, artificial sweeteners, and sugar substitutes, are often found in sugarless candy, gum, most diet drinks, and even mouthwash.These products contain ingredients like sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and aspartame which are hard for your body to absorb, especially when you have IBS.

* Chocolate

Chocolate bars and chocolate candies are double trouble as they can trigger IBS because of their concentration of caffeine as well as their high sugar content. Chocolate lovers with IBS should opt for vegan options instead, which might be less irritant.

* Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages are a big trigger for people with IBS because of the way the body digests alcohol. It also had dehydrating effect which harms liver function and digestion. Limiting alcoholic beverages may help reduce symptoms related to IBS. If you have a drink, consider a gluten-free beer or a drink that’s mixed with plain seltzer and doesn’t have artificial sweeteners or added sugar.

* Garlic and onions

Garlic and onions are great flavouring agents in your food, but they also can be difficult for your intestines to break down, which causes gas. Painful gas and cramping can result from raw garlic and onions, and even cooked versions of these foods can be triggers.

* Cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables can be difficult to digest. When your intestine breaks these foods down it causes gas, and at times, constipation, even for people without IBS.

Apart from this, it is also advisable to avoid whole grains, vegetables, and fruits contain insoluble fibre.Insoluble fibre content in whole grains may cause IBS symptoms. Many people with IBS are also gluten intolerant.Certain grainsnamely rye, wheat, and barley, which contain gluten should be avoided.