5 effective diet tips to combat IBS

5 effective diet tips to combat IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), associated with symptoms like constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, or diarrhea, can be a regular hindrance to your day-to-day activities and can be extremely uncomfortable. However, an individual stands a great chance to improve and manage this problem through proper food. In fact, one of the useful IBS treatment includes the right kind of diet plan.

  • Avoid fatty foods
    Intake of animal fat should be reduced as these contain saturated fat which affects the gut. Also, products like butter, cheesecakes, and pastries should be cut off. An individual should consider switching these unsaturated fats with fats found in vegetable oils like rapeseed, sunflower, avocados, nuts, and olive oil.
  • Include more fiber
    One of the best IBS treatments is to keep a check on the fiber intake. In fact, this is the most important nutrient to manage IBS. Oats, barley, and beans contain plenty of fiber.
  • Drink more water
    As the digestion of fiber requires water, 8 to 10 glasses of water on a daily basis is essential. Fluids like herbal drinks and fruit juice will work as well. Water and fluids as the IBS treatment help to cure constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, etc.
  • Reduce foods that have resistant starch
    Foods such as oats, potatoes, corn, and beans have starch that is resistant to digestion. These foods reach the colon unimpaired and are fermented by the gut bacteria. Though the resistant starch is said to improve blood glucose levels, regulate insulin, lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides, they are not tolerated by people with IBS.
  • Add more protein
    Consuming three servings of protein every day is important in the irritable bowel syndrome treatment. Eat adequate proteins in the form of fish, meat, eggs, dried beans, peas, lentils, soybeans, soy milk, nuts, and pulses. Some whole pulses can aid in case of moderate loose motion. Maintaining a diet chart will help you to avoid food that aggravates the condition.

About 10 to 25% of the US population is being affected by IBS syndrome every year, and common treatments for IBS does not cure the condition. However, the condition can be managed with a carefully tailored diet plan suitable for you.