Diet for an IBS Case: few Tips
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 2004 Mar / Apr VOL VI NO 2.
Sourced from the net
Edited by
Dr Vishpala Parthasarathy
(Editor: This important topic was missed out was added last minute while finishing the issue... Therefore it is on the last page.)
The basic idea of diet control in a case of IBS is to avoid foods that trigger spastic colon via the gastro colic reflex, also to eat foods that soothe and regulate the colon. This will relieve and prevent BOTH constipation and diarrhea, as well as the painful spasms and cramps, gas, nausea, and bloating so typical of IBS.
The most difficult foods to digest are fats and certain animal products. As a result, they are the most powerful IBS triggers - for BOTH constipation and diarrhea - and they must be strictly limited or eliminated from the diet altogether. Fat is quite simply the single greatest digestive tract stimulant.
| Red meat (hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, salami, ham, bacon, sausage | |
| Poultry dark meat and skin (skinless white meat is fine as is seafood) | |
| Dairy products cheese, butter, cream cheese, milk,cream etc | |
| Egg yolks (egg white is fine) | |
| French fries | Onion rings |
| Fried chicken | Margarine |
| All oils, fats, spreads, etc. | |
| Mayonnaise | Salad dressings |
| Coconut milk | Shredded coconut |
| Solid chocolate | Olives |
| Nuts and nut butters | |
| Croissants, pastries, biscuits | |
| Potato chips | |
While it’s crucial to maintain a low fat diet in order to manage IBS, it’s equally important that it is not fat free. It will make no difference to the IBS but will make a lot of difference to the cardiac care as our body needs healthy fats in order to function. Keep the fat intake to 20% - 25% of total calories, and make your fats count. They should be monounsaturated and contain essential fatty acids, so choose fat sources such as mustard oil, limited quantities of pure ghee, olive oil, canola oil etc
Now for some good news
Soluble fiber is the single greatest dietary aid for
preventing IBS symptoms, as well as relieving them once they occur. Soluble
fiber is NOT typically found in foods most people think of as "fiber,"
such as bran or raw leafy green vegetables. Soluble fiber is actually found in
foods commonly thought of as "starches". Soluble fiber has no calories
because it passes through the body intact.
- Soluble Fiber Foods ~ the Basis of the IBS Diet
As a general rule, the grain and cereal foods at the top of this list make the safest, easiest and most versatile soluble fiber foundations for meals and snacks for a IBS patient.
| Rice | Pasta and noodles |
| Oatmeal | Barley |
| Rice cereals | Potatoes |
| Carrots | Yams |
| Sweet potatoes | Turnips |
| Beets | Pumpkins |
| Bananas | Mangoes |
| Papayas (also digestive aids that relieve gas and indigestion) | |
Why is soluble fiber so special? Because unlike any other
food category, it soothes and regulates the digestive tract, stabilizes the
intestinal contractions resulting from the gastro colic reflex, and normalizes
bowel function from either extremes. Soluble fiber prevents and relieves BOTH
diarrhea and constipation. Nothing else in the world can do this.
And I always thought potatoes the patient could not eat!!
Knowledge update is King!-Editor
