Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder, which causes a great deal of discomfort in the affected person. The symptoms of this ailment include bloating, cramping, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea. Overeating, excess consumption of alcohol, too much smoking, stress and excess medication are the factors that interfere with the normal digestion process of a person. This leads to malfunctioning of the colon, which is responsible for absorption of nutrients and water present in the partially-digested food. The problem of distorted bowel movement can be easily cured by stress management and following a controlled diet, rich in fiber. Check out the diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, along with some useful tips, in the lines below.

Food For Irritable Bowel Syndrome

People suffering from irritable bowel syndrome should include fiber in their diet. Have a bowl of un-toasted muesli for the breakfast. You may substitute it with high fiber cereal, oatmeal or barley, accompanied by fortified soy milk. Another breakfast food, recommended for IBS patients, is grain toast with honey and green tea.
Sandwiches, made with whole wheat bread and low fat cheese, tinned fish and salad can serve as the lunch. You may include fresh fruit with low fat yoghurt as well, in the diet plan. Lean grilled chicken with lemon juice and pepper, served with salad and boiled potatoes, is another option to have during the daytime.
Have porridge, along with fresh fruit, for supper. Make sure that you drink water only a few minutes after the dinner. This will ensure a smooth bowel movement.
Sourdough bread, prunes, pasta figs, French bread, fresh peas, oat bran, raisins, brown rice and dried beans are rich sources of fiber, which can be included in the diet of people suffering from IBS.

Tips

Inculcate the habit of relaxed eating. Chew the food properly. Do not stuff your mouth with big pieces of food. Instead, take small bites at a time.
Drink at least eight glasses of water in a day. Water helps make the bowel movement smooth.
Limit your intake of beverages, like coffee and tea. Replace them with diluted fresh fruit juice (without sugar).
You may cut the in-between snacks, but never ever skip you meals. It is a fact that people tend to overeat, when they skip one or two meals.
Reduce the amount of fat in your diet. Avoid eating burgers, pizzas, chocolates and pastries. Substitute them with fibrous food.
The gastrointestinal problem would aggravate due to smoking and excess consumption of alcohol. Therefore, you should get rid of both the habits, if you are suffering from IBS.
You should cook the meat until it is tender. Make sure that you have only lean meat in your diet.
Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. However, you should stay away from certain vegetables that aggravate the gastric problem, like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and garlic.

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