Diet for Spastic Bowels

According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 20 percent of adults suffer from spastic bowel, a chronic digestive disorder characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, diarrhea and bloating. While it does cause distress and discomfort to those suffering from the disorder, spastic bowel does not cause any permanent damage to the intestines or lead to a more serious disorder. There is no available cure for spastic bowel, but symptoms can be controlled with stress management, prescribed medications and diet.

Individual Eating Plan

• Careful eating reduces spastic bowel symptoms. It may be helpful to keep a food journal prior to making any dietary changes. Make a note of those foods that seem to cause distress and discuss menu options with your physician or a registered dietitian. Dietary recommendations can then be tailored based on the specifics of your condition. It is important to develop a healthy, well-balanced diet that eliminates individual foods that your system does not tolerate.

Monitor Dairy Intake

• Many spastic bowel sufferers are lactose intolerant and have trouble digesting the lactose (milk sugar) in dairy products. If dairy products trigger a spastic bowel flare, you may need to consume less dairy foods. Since dairy products are an important source of calcium, see if you can tolerate yogurt. It contains bacteria that provide the enzyme necessary to digest lactose. Over-the-counter enzyme products such as Lactaid may also aid in the proper digestion of lactose. If you still experience problems, you may need to eliminate dairy foods as a menu option and obtain adequate calcium by substituting other foods such as spinach, almonds and flax seeds, or from nutritional supplements.

Fiber-Rich Foods

• Fiber-rich foods such as whole grain products, fresh vegetables and fruit lessen spastic bowel symptoms. High-fiber diets keep the colon slightly distended, preventing spasms. Initially, high-fiber diets may cause bloating and gas. Most people find that these side effects subside after a few weeks.

Miscellaneous Food Triggers

• Spastic bowel patients may experience different trigger foods. Maintain your food journal to eliminate any foods in your diet that seem to increase your individual symptoms. A common complaint with spastic bowel sufferers stems from foods creating excess gas. Caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, broccoli, cabbage, popcorn and beans, may cause more problems with gas or lead to a spastic bowel flare. Eat simple, small meals containing limited items when determining troublesome trigger foods for your individual case.

Drink Plenty of Fluids

• It is important for spastic bowel sufferers to stay hydrated in the event of the onset of diarrhea, especially in warm weather with the additional loss of water through the skin. Kidney function may be affected without sufficient fluid intake, as well as an increased risk of kidney stone development. Drink a minimum of half an ounce of healthy fluids per pound of body weight per day. Sip beverages to avoid the intake of excess gas that occurs when gulping. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Carbonated beverages cause excess gas. Both stimulate your intestines and trigger diarrhea.

Nutritional Supplements

• Discuss the benefits of nutritional supplements in your wellness routine with your physician. Spastic bowel sufferers may have issues absorbing nutrients in addition to needing to limit certain foods with nutritional value, e.g., dairy products. Nutritional supplements may be a helpful source of these missing supplements. They should not, however, be substituted for meals as they are not a source of essential protein and calories.