Diseases and conditions

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Dos and Don'ts

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IBS Dos and Don'ts: Tips and Prevention

What you should Do for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Eat slowly for IBS: woman eating food slowly.

Take your time when you eat and chew food slowly. This is important because it allows the food to be properly digested.

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Always have breakfast for IBS: healthy breakfast with strawberries and blueberries.

For individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), having a consistent breakfast is crucial in managing symptoms and promoting digestive health. Skipping breakfast can disrupt

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Eat grilled or baked foods for IBS: selection of grilled foods on a metal barbecue plate.

For individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), the way food is prepared can have a significant impact on symptom management. Grilling and baking are two healthy cooking

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Eat steamed or boiled foods for IBS: steamed food in a boil.

For individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), choosing gentle cooking methods like steaming or boiling can significantly help in managing symptoms. These methods preserve

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Eat the right fiber for IBS: different kind of foods rich in fiber.

It is recommended to have 20-30g/day of fiber as it helps regulate bowel movement and improves overall health. However, IBS symptoms may differ from one individual to another.

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Drink lot of water for IBS: water in a glass jar and next to it a glass of water.

Staying hydrated is crucial for managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), as proper hydration helps regulate bowel movements, reduce bloating, and ease digestion. Drinking enough

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Eat probiotic rich foods for IBS: probiotics written on a black board.

Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that support gut health, and they can play a significant role in managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Consuming probiotics regularly

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Exercise regularly for IBS: man and woman training at the gym.

Mild to moderate activity have been shown to increase intestinal gas clearance and reduce symptoms of IBS. However, exercise can cause abdominal bloating in patients with

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What you should Avoid for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Avoid sugar for IBS: no sugar written on sugar grains, and next to it sugar in a cup and in a spoon.

Avoid sugar for IBS because food and drinks high in sugar content can promote inflammation and reduce the body immunity. Thus, they can trigger IBS symptoms and make them

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Avoid saturated fats for IBS: different kinds of saturated fat sources including meat, cream, butter, and sausages.

Saturated fats are hard to break in the intestine. They worsen inflammation and can trigger IBS symptoms. They are found in red meat, full fat dairy and desserts.

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Avoid trans fats for IBS: different donuts with cream and chocolate.

Trans fats are known to promote inflammation in the body. Thus, they can trigger IBS symptoms and make them worst. They are found in most processed foods like cookies, donuts,

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Restrict processed food for IBS: selection of different kinds of processed meat.

Processed foods contain additives and preservatives that cause hypersensitivity reactions for IBS patients. This can activate IBS symptoms and make them worst. Thus, it is

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Avoid mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) for IBS: cup full of MSG.

MSG is a flavor enhancer and is popular in Asian dishes. It is sometimes added to fast foods or ready-made soup mixes, salad dressing and deli meats. MSG stimulates a pathway

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Avoid casein and dairy products for IBS: milk in a bottle and a glass.

Casein is a protein found in dairy products and may cause discomfort. That's why, it is important to make sure it does not irritate your gut and

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Limit gluten for IBS: gluten free pastries.

Gluten can cause irritation to the gut and promote inflammation, which triggers IBS symptoms and make them worst. Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye. If no

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Avoid gas causing foods for IBS: cola drink with lime and ice.

Some types of food make gas worse such as carbonated beverages and raw fruits, in addition to certain dairy and vegetables like cauliflower or cabbage. Hence, all these should

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Avoid sweeteners for IBS: sweetener next to a spoon full of sugar.

Artificial sweeteners that end with “ol” such as mannitol or xylitol, aren’t usually tolerated as they cause abdominal discomfort like gas production and

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Avoid FODMAP foods for IBS: different types of bread on a tray.

FODMAPs is a group of short-chain carbohydrates that stand for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. They are a problem for those suffering

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Avoid stress for IBS: stressed man thinking with his hand on his forehead.

Stress triggers the body to release stress-related chemicals to the gut that can make it more sensitive and inflamed. This would ultimately cause a change in the gut bacteria,

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Avoid junk food for IBS: cheese burgers, fries, and fried chicken.

Fast foods are high in fat and sugar and would promote inflammation because it would prolong the transit time through the intestine. This would trigger IBS symptoms and cause

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Avoid spicy foods for IBS: variety of different spices display.

Avoid eating spicy foods and hot spices as they can increase gut mobility. Thus, they might trigger IBS symptoms and contribute to abdominal pain.

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Avoid alcohol for IBS: glasses of green alcohol drink.

For individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), alcohol can aggravate symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. Alcohol irritates the gut lining and affects

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Avoid coffee for IBS: steel coffee boiler and next to it coffee grains.

Coffee is a common part of many people’s daily routine, but for individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), it can exacerbate symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, and

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