IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome has symptoms like constipations, gas, diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain, which can cause a great deal of suffering. Amongst the many treatments for IBS is to follow an irritable bowel diet. Changing your diet can often help your Irritable Bowel by reducing some of your symptoms.

Do remember though that it is always wise to speak with your physician before making any huge change to your diet, especially as some foods are thought to actually make ibs symptoms worse. He or she will be able to point you in the right direction and let you know which types of foods are best and which types of food to avoid.

So what would be included in an average Irritable Bowel Diet?

This will be personal to you, and so that you can keep a check on foods that cause you problems, I always suggest keeping a journal of foods that help and foods that don’t. As an example, fibre rich foods can be good for controlling IBS symptoms if you suffer from constipation with your Irritable Bowel Syndrome. These food types help to keep the colon distended which stops it from going into spasms. Some of the fibre types store water in the stool, which makes it much easier for you to pass them. Main foods with fiber are fruits, cereals, whole grain breads and of course vegetables. Don’t, however, make the mistake of suddenly including too much fibre into your irritable bowel diet all at once – do this slowly and you are less likely to suffer with bloating etc.

It is also important to make sure you have enough fluid during the day – recommended amount is 6 – 8 glasses. Fluid can help to stop constipation and also helps you to stay hydrated so dehydration will not be a problem if you suffer with diarrhea.

Some things that are best avoided on an irritable bowel diet are fizzy drinks, eating large meals, eating too fast, and chewing on gum, as these can set off your symptoms.

As mentioned before, keep a journal, and you will soon see what foods work best for you in helping to keep your ibs symptoms at bay.

As mentioned before, keep a journal, and you will soon see what foods work best for you in helping to keep your ibs symptoms at bay.