Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS can represent a significant problem for a number of people. People who suffer from this condition regularly find themselves dealing with various gastrointestinal issues, including stomach cramps, bloating, stomach pain, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. For people who suffer with symptoms of gas and bloating, it's usually a good idea to stay away from foods that naturally make them more gassy, such as Brussel sprouts, raisins, wheat germ, and beans.

This condition often flares up at the worst of times, and can indicate that you need to make changes to your dietary choices in order to reduce or prevent symptoms. Understanding your personal irritable bowel syndrome diet triggers can give you an insight into when your problem will flare up, and may also give you the tools that you need to avoid making your condition worse.

Since constipation and diarrhea are often the two most significant problems that patients with IBS face on a regular basis, this article will cover some of the dietary triggers that have been known to be related to both constipation and diarrhea. Hopefully these guidelines will help to improve your intestinal comfort.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet Triggers for Constipation:

Many patients with IBS find that particular foods make their symptoms of constipation even worse than usual. These foods might include cereals and breads that are made with refined grains, as well as various forms of processed foods such as cookies, chips, and more. Additional ingredients that could have a negative impact on constipation within the diet of a person with IBS are:

– Coffee, alcohol and carbonated drinks

– High protein diets

– Dairy products like cheese and milk

If you want to improve your dietary choices to aid with your constipation problem, then you should work to gradually improve your intake of fiber by a few grams per day until you're eating around 38 grams for men, or 25 grams for women. It's also advisable to eat plenty of foods that are high in sorbitol, such as prune juice and plums. Drinking plenty of water is also essential for tackling constipation.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet Triggers for Diarrhea:

If you find that your biggest issue with IBS is consistent or regular bouts of diarrhea, then it might help to know that certain foods can make the condition worse. For instance, too much fiber can mean that you spend more time running to the toilet, as can drinks and foods that contain alcohol, chocolate, fructose, caffeine, or sorbitol.

Additional triggers for IBS diarrhea might include:

– Fatty and fried foods

– Large meals

– Carbonated drinks

– Dairy products

– Wheat-based foods

If you are looking for ways to improve your dietary choices and reduce your experience with IBS diarrhea, then it may be a good idea to eat soluble fiber as a way to add extra bulk to your stool through oats, wheat breads, and pasta. Some people also find that it is helpful to avoid drinking too much water while they're eating. Instead, drink plenty of water around an hour after or before you have finished your meal.