IBS Diet
How to Set Up and Follow an IBS Diet
The most popular IBS diet was set up by a woman who has been afflicted by IBS for many years. She uses the premise of insoluble versus soluble fiber to help combat IBS symptoms.
Foods that are high in fiber of the soluble form are the foundation of the snacks and meals in the IBS diet. They should be the first things you eat when your stomach is empty. Good foods to start with include sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, corn tortillas, rice cereals, white breads, oatmeal, pasta and rice.
You can eat foods with insoluble fiber too, on this IBS diet, but with caution. Do not eat them on an empty stomach, and only eat them in small portions with soluble fiber foods. Foods that rate high on the soluble fiber scale include popcorn, beans, nuts, seeds, muesli, granola, cereals, whole grain breads, bran, bread and whole wheat flour.
There is also a list of foods for the IBS diet that should not be eaten at all. These are coconut milk, fried foods, egg yolks, dairy products and red meat. Your diet needs to be kept at a low level of fat, but never all the way fat free. You can also use peppermint oil or other like supplements to reduce your incidence of symptoms.
The IBS diet also has a set of rules. If you want to keep your symptoms away, follow these rules:
Always eat foods with fiber of the soluble type first. Eat foods high in soluble fiber whenever you have an empty stomach. Make sure you eat more soluble type fiber foods at every snack and meal.
Minimize the fat in your IBS diet. It should be twenty-five percent of what you eat, at a maximum. Try to eat more heart-healthy foods. When you eat out, ask how the food is prepared and what the fat content is.
Do not eat foods high in fat before eating your soluble fiber foods first. It's better if you omit high fat foods altogether.
Be sure to stay away from all trigger foods – this includes alcohol, soda pop, coffee, egg yolks, fried foods, dairy products and red meat.
Don't EVER eat any insoluble fiber, without eating soluble fiber first or at the same time. Foods of the insoluble fiber type can be made a bit safer by pureeing, chopping or cooking.
Eat little portions of food, and eat them leisurely, calmly and frequently.
If you're not sure whether you can eat a food while on the IBS diet, DON'T eat it. You're better safe than sorry.
Make food fun and make eating pleasurable. Eat safe foods, but enjoy your meals and snacks.
Remember, YOU are in control of your IBS diet. If you see something you shouldn't eat, just say no.