Do you have irritable bowel syndrome? AS, you need to change your eating habits to control your symptoms. In this article, we will introduce 6 types of diets for irritable bowel syndrome.
This disease is a condition that predominates in women under 45, although, of course, there are men and people older than that age who suffer from it. This problem, which affects the large intestine, can cause abdominal cramps, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. As we have already said, today it is a common condition, but the exact causes that cause it are unknown. If you suspect you have irritable bowel syndrome, see your doctor for an evaluation.
Diets for irritable bowel syndrome
The symptoms can be very annoying, so get them under control specialists often suggest dietary changes. However, there is no consensus on the best diet to control symptoms. As a general rule, it is usually suggested:
- Do not eliminate foods from your diet unless there is a medical indication.
- Avoid carbonated drinks.
- Limit the consumption of fatty foods.
- Increase your fiber intake.
- Don’t eat large meals.
- Drink between two and three liters of water a day.
- Avoid the intake of legumes, cruciferous vegetables and other gas-producing foods.
- Eliminate tobacco and alcohol from your diet.
It is worth noting that the diet to control the symptoms of irritable bowel must be personalized. Consult a professional before changing your diet.
1. Low FODMAP Diet
Among the diets for irritable bowel syndrome we find the low FODMAP diet. That means, a diet based on minimizing the consumption of short chain carbohydrates: fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols.
How would you help reducing the consumption of these foods to control irritable bowel symptoms? Very easy: many people do not absorb these components in their small intestinethen they continue to the colon where they feed the bacteria and symptoms are generated.
Some research they support it if the carbohydrates mentioned were avoided, the discomfort would be reduced by avoiding fermentation of food by bacteria. However, there are no conclusive studies on this.
Earlier this year, the Spanish Society of Digestive Pathology announced that, after an initial phase of severe FODMAP restriction for 4-8 weeks, it is advisable to gradually reintroduce the foods to check tolerance and develop the least restrictive diet possible.
Note: This diet, due to the restriction of some important foods, must be carried out under specialized medical supervision. The possible benefit-risk must be assessed on a per-person basis.
2. Lactose-free diet
In case your doctor suspects lactose intolerance, a partial exclusion of dairy products could be made for one to two months, then reintroduce the food and observe the patient’s reactions.
In many cases, irritable bowel syndrome is associated with problems with the metabolism of dairy products, according to study published in Neurogastroenterology and Motility. This option of consuming foods without said sugar can improve the condition of the patient.
3. Gluten-free diet
According to several surveys, it is estimated that 30% of celiacs were previously classified as having irritable bowel syndrome. For this reason, in case of suspected gluten sensitivity or allergy, the doctor may decide to exclude foods with gluten to see if it was the trigger of the discomfort.
4. Diet for constipation
If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome with chronic constipation, some specialists may advise you to include foods rich in insoluble fiber in your diet, Accelerates intestinal transit. It is present in vegetables and whole grains.
When your problem is changing episodes of constipation with diarrhea, you should integrate regular intake of soluble fiber into your dietary habitspresent in foods such as oats and barley, seeds and fruits.
5. Diet for diarrhea
Among the diets for irritable bowel syndrome we have to mention an option to control diarrhea. This is a very common symptom in some cases of irritable bowel. Moreover, requires great attention due to possible problems of malabsorption of essential nutrients.
If you regularly suffer from diarrhea, you should avoid the consumption of coffee and alcohol, since these are two intestinal stimulants. The same goes for dairy products. However, it’s important to include other sources of calcium in your diet, such as soy milk.
Also, taking probiotics regularly could help solve this problem, as stated by a research published in the journal Food and function. Its consumption can be carried out through fermented foods or through supplements.
6. Recommendations of health institutions
It is impossible to draw up a list of recommended foods for all people with irritable bowel syndrome because, as we said at the beginning of the article, the diet should be individualized according to each patient’s symptoms and response to food.
However, we will introduce you below a selection of foods whose consumption can be considered recommended, restricted or prohibited performed by the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service of the Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid (Castilla y León, Spain).
Recommended foods:
- Wholemeal bread, wheat bran and whole grains.
- Whole egg.
- Fruits and vegetables.
- Skimmed dairy products.
- lean meats
- Peanuts.
- White fish.
- Moderate amounts of olive oil.
- Waterfall.
- Infusions.
restricted foods
- Blue fish.
- cured meat.
- Legumes.
Forbidden food
- Flatulent vegetables, such as cauliflower or broccoli.
- Fatty cheeses and dairy products.
- Red meats and sausages.
- Bread.
- Butter and margarine.
- Spicy.
- commercial sauces.
- Coffee.
- Alcohol.
- Fizzy drinks.
Note: These are recommendations in terms of food, so the patient’s previous tolerance should be assessed. It is possible that some of the “safe” foods cause you discomfort. Remember that these adverts are not 100% suitable for everyone.
Optimize your diet for irritable bowel syndrome
Before making any changes to your diet, visit your doctor. An irritable bowel syndrome specialist will be the right person to design your diet according to your symptoms and personal needs.
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