IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that affects the digestive system. It is a poorly understood condition, but it is known that diet can have a significant impact on how people experience this kind of disorder. This is why it is important to know which foods to avoid with IBS.

Foods to Avoid with IBS – Expert Advice:

If you suffer from IBS, you will know just how debilitating this can be. It has a significant impact on your daily life. This is why it is so important to know what foods you should avoid. In fact, people with chronic IBS often have to change their entire lifestyle. They find that there are foods they cannot eat, activities they cannot enjoy, and social environments they must avoid. They do this because they worry that they may have a flareup, and it means that they become isolated from the world.

Luckily, the condition can be managed. Education is the most important thing in achieving that, and you must learn which foods to avoid with IBS. While there are some foods known to aggravate this condition, it is also known that most people who suffer from it have certain foods they react to, when others don't. Hence, your starting point should be to hold a food and activity diet, so that you know whether there are certain things you consume or do that make matters worse.

Another thing that is known to aggravate this syndrome is stress. Unfortunately, this is often a vicious cycle. When people are slightly stressed, they can have an IBS flareup. This, in turn, makes them more stressed, increasing the flareup, and so on. Hence, trying to avoid stress is one of the most important things of all.

Drinks and Foods to Avoid:

1.Alcohol

Alcohol, and particularly when they are carbonated drinks. Different types of alcohol are likely to have different effects, so do note this in your diary.

2. Gluten

Gluten, which very commonly affects this condition, particularly if the foods are eaten in the form of white bread or pasta. People with IBS do not have celiac disease, but just respond to certain gluten through IBS cramps.

3. Soy

Soy, which is actually one of the eight greatest digestive health irritants. You must try to avoid soy, and particularly foods that have been processed with soy.

4. Sweeteners and sugar alternatives, particularly aspartame.

Some people actually worry that aspartame could be carcinogenic, and research is being conducted to look into this. If you don't want to consume sugar, perhaps because of weight issues, then you need to find a natural alternative, such as pure leaf extract or Stevia. However, you should only use it in moderation.

5. Sugar

Sugar is also a strong irritant for people who have IBS, particularly if it is table sugar, which is highly processed. It is also found in white breads and pastries, for instance.

6. Fats, and particularly the bad fats.

Good fats like omega 3, found in oily fish and healthy grains and seeds, should be included in a diet as standard. However, animal fats and oils should be avoided as much as possible.