An estimated 15-20% of all Americans have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS. Despite the fact that diet plays a direct role in gut function many doctors fail to give their patients any IBS dietary or food guidelines for Irritable Bowel Syndrome treatment at all. Most website resources also fail to steer you in the right direction when it comes to proper eating habits for IBS. Have you been told to eat wheat bran or raw vegetables? This information is not accurate nor helpful when needing to follow a “proper” diet. For example it’s not a singular type of food that causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. It’s ANY food that is high in fat, insoluble fiber, caffeine, coffee (even decaf), carbonation, or alcohol. Why? Because all of these food categories are either GI stimulants or irritants, and can cause violent reactions of your gastrocolic reflex. This directly affects the muscles in your colon and can lead to IBS pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
For many, a good IBS diet makes the difference between living a normal, happy, outgoing life versus spending every single day stuck in the bathroom enduring blinding pain, bowel dysfunction, bloating, and other Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. It is that important for you and many others to have the right nutritional resources so you can live a functional, worry free, and pain free life. Don’t let IBS run your life; take control back of your IBS!
Here are some recipes and websites where you can get more accurate information for regular, safe eating to help control your IBS:
Baked chicken and rice:
- 4 5-6 ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup long grain rice, uncooked
- 1 1/2 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach, chopped
Preparation:
- 2 tsp canola oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 cup lentils, rinsed and picked through
- 2 cups fat free, low sodium chicken broth
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes and juices
- 1 8 ounce can no-salt-added tomato sauce
- 1 medium sweet potato, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, cubed
Preparation:
- 3 egg whites
- 1 tablespoon nonfat milk
- 1/2 tsp dried mixed herbs
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup chopped fresh baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon reduced-fat shredded sharp cheddar or grated parmesan
