Understanding the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet

Do you know that irritable bowel syndrome diet is the best and most effective way of dealing with the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that affects around ten to twenty percent of the population in the US alone? Seventy percent of this ten to twenty percent are said to be women. The irritable bowel syndrome is manifested by different symptoms including constipation, explosive diarrhea, and abdominal pain, among others. If you want to learn more about the irritable bowel syndrome diet, continue reading this article.

There are two main symptoms of IBS: diarrhea and constipation. Diarrhea is caused by the spastic contraction of the colon while constipation is caused by the freezing up of the colon. Because these two IBS symptoms are diet related, the best way to deal with them is to go for irritable bowel syndrome diet which mainly involves reducing or probably eliminating the intake of stimulants or irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, and chocolate, since they all cause either stimulation or irritation of the GI tract that causes the IBS. The irritable bowel syndrome diet is about healthier food choices in order to reduce the IBS symptoms, because as mentioned earlier, there is no exact cure for IBS.

The irritable bowel syndrome diet or the IBS diet also suggests eating more often in a day in smaller portions. Instead of following the traditional way of eating thrice a day, it is a good idea to eat around 5 times or 6 times a day with smaller amounts. This means that when you combine the amount of foods on your 5 or 6 meals, the amount would be equivalent to the amount of your 3 meals. Large and fat-filled meals serve as irritants that cause stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation. If you will go for the IBS diet, you need to eat healthy and conscientiously. Increase intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, and lean meats can keep your stomach on a balanced plane thereby preventing any flare-ups.

Some physicians say that fiber-rich irritable bowel syndrome diet is good for reducing the symptoms of the IBS. Some of the best sources of fiber that you can include in your irritable bowel syndrome diet are whole-grain breads, cereals, kidney and lima beans, cabbage, peas, broccoli, carrots, apples, and peaches. When the stomach is empty, it is good to eat fiber first for the IBS symptom reduction. A lot of people think that the IBS diet is hard to follow but it's simple. All you need to know is the foods you are allowed and not allowed to eat and you will realize how easy it is identify the triggers and of course to reduce the symptoms of IBS.

In essence, healthy eating is the secret to successful irritable bowel syndrome diet. If you keep yourself disciplined and make the effort to stay away from the foods that trigger IBS and to keep close to healthy, small-portioned, and low-fat foods, then expect to significantly reduce your IBS syndromes. Of course, it doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself of what you want. You can still eat SOME of them. It's just a matter of choice because in the end, your health is still dependent on how you manage it.