5 Diets Suitable for IBS Sufferers

 

Healthy Diet is important for those with IBS

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says that 15% of people in the UK suffer from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). This chronic medical condition wreaks havoc on the gastrointestinal tract, and the symptoms can be both painful and frustrating. The extent of IBS differs between cases, but people typically have constipation, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain, which are bought on by changes within the gut. Part of living with IBS is eating the correct foods, which we’ll cover throughout this article. 

General IBS Diet Rules

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to IBS diets, but the general consensus is that eating regular meals/snacks and avoiding trigger foods will go a long way to reducing an IBS Flare Up. Common trigger foods include insoluble fibres and highly fattening foods. As well as this, experts recommend smaller meals and eliminating fizzy drinks, which will heavily reduce bloating. 

Gluten-Free Diets

Having IBS doesn't mean you have coeliac disease, but many sufferers find

that gluten-free diet helps to reduce symptoms. This type of diet can help

those with IBS to reduce inflammation, gas and bloating.

Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet, often seen written as the "keto diet," has seen a

significant resurgence in recent years. This diet is fairly simple- it's

all about bringing more healthy fats into your diet while reducing

carbs. The outcome of this diet is a rise in ketones, which

are used to give the body energy. According to scientific research,

the energy provided by ketones can help reduce the side effects of IBS.

Low-FODMAP Diet

An extremely popular approach for people suffering from IBS is the

low-FODMAP diet which involved reducing certain carbohydrates that

are difficult to digest. When large amounts of FODMAPs build up

in the intestines, the stomach will bloat and cause excessive gas.

By reducing high-FODMAP foods like apples, garlic, onions, and

certain beans, you will find that you have more control over troublesome

IBS flare-ups.

Elimination Diet

Everybody with IBS will be triggered by different foods, so following a diet

that cuts out entire food categories may not suit everybody. Instead, foods

can be removed one at a time to see if symptoms let up, and then they can

be eliminated if positive changes are found. 

High Fibre Diet

A fibre-rich diet is often recommended by experts, as it’s been proven to

reduce instances of constipation and irregular bowel movements. However,

you need to understand the different types of fibre, as certain ones work

better. For example, soluble fibres are more efficient when it comes to

reducing IBS symptoms. 

There may be no cure for IBS, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help

your body out by eating friendly foods. Seeing as everyone is different,

a little trial and error will be needed to find the perfect diet.