Spastic Colon Diet

Spastic colon, more properly called irritable bowel syndrome, is a disorder of the digestive system that affects millions of people in the United States alone. The cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and irregular bowel movements associated with spastic colon can interfere with your daily activities. Changing your diet will help you improve and control the symptoms of spastic colon so that you can lead the healthier, happier life you deserve.

Keeping Track

• To figure out the best diet for spastic colon, keep track of what you eat and when the symptoms of spastic colon occur. Make note of every food or beverage you ingest throughout the day. Use a notebook, small journal, or even a spreadsheet on your computer. The important part is that you don't leave anything out.

  Logging your intake will allow you to see which foods or beverages act as "triggers." Triggers are the foods that cause spastic colon pain.

  Once you've learned what to avoid eating, create a diet for spastic colon that doesn't include those foods.

  It also helps to know which foods tend to trigger the symptoms of spastic colon in general. Pay special attention to how you feel after eating dairy products, foods that are greasy or high in fat, foods and beverages that contain caffeine, and anything that causes gas. Note any symptoms that occur after eating these foods.

Increasing Fiber

• Increasing your daily fiber intake may help relieve spastic colon pain. Add whole grains, vegetables, cereals, and fruits to your diet for spastic colon. Getting enough fiber keeps your stool from becoming hard and causing painful bowel movements. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, increase the amount of fiber you eat by 2 to 3 g a day to facilitate bowel movements and decrease painful gas and bloating.

Supplementing Your Meals

• Take supplements to ensure you're meeting all your nutritional needs. This is especially necessary if you're cutting trigger foods from your diet, since eliminating certain foods can create dietary deficiencies.

  Fiber supplements can help if you have problems meeting your daily fiber goals through diet alone.

  Other supplements may also be helpful. Probiotics increase the amount of healthy bacteria in your digestive system. Certain yogurts and acidophilus milk contain healthy bacteria, but be cautious if dairy products trigger your spastic colon pain.

  Consider adding prebiotics, too, since they strengthen the ability of probiotics to promote healthy bacteria in your intestines.