Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be a tricky condition, as it can affect every patient’s digestive health in a different way. Some might experience diarrhea, while others might suffer from constipation. In some cases, patients might suffer from alternate episodes diarrhea and constipation. Moreover, every patient has their own sets of triggers including stress, medications, menstruation, lack of physical movement and certain types of foods. Among these, foods make up a large part of triggers.

Fiber-rich diet
If a patient is suffering from IBS symptoms such as constipation, then they should consume more fiber. This is because fiber makes the stools softer and bulkier so that they are easier to pass. It is important to remember that there are two types of fibers soluble and insoluble and based on certain research conclusions, experts suggest that people should focus on including the former option in their IBS diet plan. Soluble fiber is found in fresh fruits, beans, barley, oats, sweet potatoes, Brussel sprouts, carrots, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts.

Gluten-free diet
Numerous people with IBS are diagnosed with intolerance toward a protein named gluten, which is usually found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. To confirm gluten sensitivity, one should see how their body reacts after having such foods. If they experience symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and gas on multiple occasions then they should immediately inform their doctor and cut off gluten from their diet completely. One doesn’t need to worry about giving up on gluten as today it can be replaced by viable substitutes such as quinoa, buckwheat, rice, polenta, and millet.

Low FODMAP diet
The doctor might ask some patients to try a diet known as a FODMAP diet, which recommends lowering or avoiding the intake of foods having complex carbohydrates. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. Some of the FODMAP foods that can trigger IBS are as follows:

• Vegetables like asparagus, beans, broccoli, lentils, garlic, mushrooms, cauliflower, onions, snow peas, artichokes, and cabbage
• Foods having wheat and rye
• Cashews and pistachios
• Fruits like apples, cherries, mangoes, plums, nectarines, blackberries, and watermelon
• Dairy products including milk, cheese, yogurt, ice-cream, and custard
• Food products containing high-fructose corn syrup like candies, canned fruit juices, sodas, breakfast cereals, sweetened yogurt, and jelly
• Candies and chewing gums containing artificial sweeteners such as mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol, and maltitol

Low-fat diet
Foods having a high amount of fat can easily trigger IBS symptoms like diarrhea. They can also lead to constipation if the fat content is high but lacks a sufficient quantity of fiber. Therefore, patients should skip on foods like full-fat dairy, animal fats, and fried foods. Instead, they should include fruits, grains, vegetables, and low-fat dairy in their IBS diet plan.

It is critical to understand that the key to finding the best IBS diet plan is to keep experimenting with food habits if one doesn’t work out. Likewise, patients should keep the doctor in the loop to understand and adopt safe eating regimens.