Can An Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet Really Prevent IBS?

People suffering from IBS may be wondering up to what extent an Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet can go in preventing the syndrome. Also called spastic colon, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is diagnosed based only on the presenting signs and symptoms that include abdominal pain that is chronic in nature, bloating and flatulence, and changes in bowel habits (periods of diarrhea alternating with periods of constipation). IBS is not exactly life threatening, but since it is essentially a chronic disorder that cannot be cured, you really wouldn't want to be dealing with the symptoms almost every day, would you? Thankfully, symptom relief can be experienced through diet and medications, taking into consideration the contributing factors to IBS.

The IBS Diet

The recommended Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet is based on the following considerations:

· It appears that skipping meals, not drinking water sufficiently, and not having enough fiber in the diet all contribute to IBS.

· Individuals suffering from lactose intolerance or milk sensitivity are likely to suffer from IBS as well.

· Certain vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower and baked beans may cause flatulence, a symptom of IBS.

· Caffeine consumption can trigger IBS.

· Heavy meals composed mostly of fat and which are eaten quickly can worsen IBS symptoms.

With these in mind, the general recommendations for people with IBS when it comes to diet are:

· Get into a high-fiber diet, but do it gradually, and always with sufficient water intake during the entire day. Loading yourself with fiber immediately will not get you immediate and great results. Remember the fable about the hare and the tortoise. In the long run, the tortoise won the race. Patience does pay off eventually. Consuming too much fiber at one time may even worsen your condition because your body needs time to adjust to this change in your dietary habits. And when you are on a high-fiber diet, it is important that you increase your water intake as well.

· Avoid coffee and softdrinks as much as possible as they can worsen IBS symptoms.
· Avoid gas-forming vegetables as well.
· If you are having difficulty digesting milk and milk products, get on a diet that does not involve these.
· Eat slowly and chew your food very carefully.
· Don't lie down or sleep immediately after meals. It helps a lot if you walk around a bit, giving your body time to digest the food you have eaten.

IBS Meal Plan

Ideally, here are some foods to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and in between meals.

For breakfast:

· A bowl of high-fiber cereal or porridge
· Fresh fruit
· Soy milk fortified with calcium
· Wholegrain toast with organic honey
· A cup of tea

For lunch, the following food items can be very beneficial to IBS sufferers:

· Wholegrain sandwich with low-fat cheese
· Lean beef or tinned fish
· Fresh fruit and low-fat yogurt for desert
· A glass of either water, tea or juice.

For dinner, food choices have to be light but healthy nonetheless:

· Grilled chicken with pepper and lemon juice
· Boiled potatoes
· Toast
· A glass of water

For snacks to be served in between these meals, choices include:

· Fresh fruits
· Low-fat yogurt
· Unsalted crackers
· Low-fat cheese
· Toast with honey
· Water, tea or juice

For more options, try exploring the virtual library. Online are loads of dietary resources, recipes, and so much more, to help IBS suffers deal with this syndrome. You may as well consult a dietician or a specialist to help you map out the most appropriate irritable bowel syndrome diet that is right for you.

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