How to Follow a Diet for Irritable Bowel Disease

Irritable Bowel Disease strikes about 15 to 20 percent of the adult population, although children can be afflicted with this condition as well. While there is no specific cause of Irritable Bowel Disease, there is no cure either. However, you can learn to follow a diet for Irritable Bowel Disease to relieve symptoms and prevent future flareups. Even better, if you follow the right diet you might be able to head off Irritable Bowel Disease in the first place.

Things You'll Need

• Journal or notebook to track progress

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Instructions

Learn How to Follow a Diet for Irritable Bowel Disease

• 1

  Consider adding probiotics to your diet. Probiotics means pro-life, literally. In this case, we're talking about introducing helpful bacteria into the intestinal tract to improve digestion and support your immune system. Probiotic supplements are available as soft gel acidophilus tablets, and are naturally occurring in organic yogurt.

• 2

  Figure in additional fiber, but a little at a time. Some Irritable Bowel Disease sufferers report relief of constipation and bloating by increasing dietary fiber. However, others do not experience the same success. On the other hand, most patients do find relief in an alternative form of fiber known as hydrolyzed guar gum.

• 3

  Test the waters when it comes to dairy. Many people lack sufficient digestive enzymes to be able to break down milk sugars, such as lactose. If you find or already know that you are lactose intolerant, then you may supplement your diet with lactose-free milk and other dairy products, as well as adding a calcium supplement to your diet.

• 4

  Skip the carbonated beverages, as well as coffee (including decaffeinated coffee). These culprits are known to produce bloating and gas.

• 5

  Drink plenty of water. Not only does water improve your overall digestion, but it's also especially important to avoid becoming dehydrated if diarrhea is among your frequent symptoms.

• 6

  Keep your diet lively but safe to prevent recurring symptoms of Irritable Bowel Disease by getting a copy of the cookbook, "Eating for IBS," by Heather Van Vorous (see Resources below).