Help With IBS Diet

Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder that causes your colon to contract, which forces food through your colon and can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating and irregular bowel movements, according to Jeffrey M. Lackner, an assistant professor of medicine at the the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Fortunately IBS can be controlled by adjusting your diet through food restrictions such as limiting consumption of dairy, fiber or fructose.

Lactose Intolerance

• Your IBS could be caused by intolerance to specific foods that contain lactose, fructose or fiber, according to Lackner, author of "Controlling IBS the Drug-Free Way." Lactose intolerance is caused by a lack of the natural enzyme lactase in the stomach. Without a proper amount of lactase your body is unable to properly digest lactose, found in dairy products, which leads to stomach cramps and diarrhea. To lower symptoms of IBS you should limit your consumption of dairy products by switching to soy products, and taking calcium supplements to maintain your daily requirement of 1,000mg of calcium, according to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. It is highly important to maintain calcium intake, as low levels of calcium can result in weakened bones that can lead to osteoporosis, according to Lackner.

Fructose/Sorbitol Intolerance

• Fructose is a natural sugar found in fruit, root vegetables, wheat, honey and jams, according to Lackner. Fructose is commonly used in fruit drinks and soft drinks, and when consumed by IBS sufferers it can cause bloating, gas and diarrhea. Sorbitol is an artificial sweetener used in cough medicine, cake mix, syrup and diabetic candy, according to Lackner. Because sorbitol cannot be completely absorbed by your body, it can upset your colon by causing abdominal pain, cramping and diarrhea. According to Lacker, sorbitol does not cause IBS, but exacerbates IBS symptoms. Limit your consumption of fruit, juices and other food products that contain fructose to reduce IBS occurrence.

Food Diary

• A food diary can help you determine the cause of your IBS when used frequently. Write down everything you eat during the day including the time, and log when you began experiencing IBS symptoms. Your food diary should include condiments used, snacks, main meals and drinks. According to Lackner, you should also log how much you consumed and how your food was prepared, as preparation can affect your colon as much as the food itself. It is important to be honest when logging your food consumption, as omitting items only hinders a proper diagnosis of the source of your IBS.

Fiber

• Although fiber is necessary for maintaining a healthy cholesterol level and aids in regular bowel movements, it can irritate the colon in IBS sufferers by causing gas and cramping, according to the Mayo Clinic. In order to reduce the risk of IBS, slowly increase your fiber intake over time by consuming higher amounts of raw or cooked vegetables, whole grains, dried fruit, and beans, according to Lackner. To prevent constipation it is important to consume at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily while on a high-fiber diet.