What Can You Eat If You Have Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome has a higher percentage of women than men suffering this condition, it is not only an embarrassing condition, but it can also be painful and unbearable. Irritable bowel syndrome can alter the lifestyle of those that are suffering this condition and IBS may lead to change in social engagement, changes in work schedule, and the kind of food you eat and how you exercise and so on.

You should seek medical attention when you have any of the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome for care and how to reduce the pain. It is unfortunate that there is no treatable procedure for irritable bowel syndrome yet, but it can be managed properly.

One of the ways to manage irritable bowel syndrome is by changing your diet, by eating food and taking drinks that will not induce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. This is one of the most effective ways to manage irritable bowel syndrome. And we are going to list some of the kind of food and drinks you can take and how you can plan the way you eat to manage this condition.

• You can eat fiber if you have irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. You should considerably increase your fiber intake in your meal slowly, as this will help to reduce constipation in irritable bowel syndrome. The fiber content should be more in men compared to that needed by women and you should consider soluble fiber such as vegetables, fruits, whole grain bread, and beans. It is estimated that men need a total of 38 grams of fiber per day while women need about 25 grams per day.
• You should eat smaller portion of food if you have irritable bowel syndrome. If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, you should avoid eating too much at a time. You should try eating a smaller meal at intervals as this will reduce stress on the colon and allow food to digest properly. Another good effect of this is that it helps to prevent diarrhea and constipation when you eat little at a time.
• You should drink plenty of water if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, you will have to increase your water intake daily as this will aid in cases of constipation by aiding bowel movement. It will also help in replenishing fluid and energy lost during diarrhea. You should avoid drinking water during a meal as it is advisable to drink before or after a meal.
• Planning a regular eating schedule will help in irritable bowel syndrome. It is encouraged that you stick to a regular eating planned schedule when you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. This will enable the body to get used to the pattern and enable the body to recover adequately in cases of diarrhea. You should take your breakfast early enough so as not to leave the digestive system free from the air which might result in gas or bloating or cramps and pains in the lower abdomen.
• Stay away from alcohol, sweetened drinks, and caffeine if you have irritable bowel syndrome. These are drinks that might trigger the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and should be avoided to ensure that the condition is not worsened. Carbonated drinks like beer and sodas will add more gas to the system which will result in gas, bloating, cramps and abdominal pains. Caffeine and alcohol had also been known to trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, thus next time you go out, you should have this in mind. You should also avoid taking drinks with straw as this will induce gas into your system through the unfilled part of the straw.
• Avoid any food or drink that triggers irritable bowel syndrome symptoms immediately. It is true that everyone reacts to substances differently because our body systems are quite different. When you noticed that symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are triggered immediately you eat or drink anything, you should take note of that and avoid such next time.

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Also Read:

• Can Acid Reflux Cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
• What Not to Eat with Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
• Is Milk Bad for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
• Can Eggs Cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
• Is Yogurt Good for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?