Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Diet Plan

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a diagnosis labelled to any disorder of the intestine, where there is no other apparent pathology. Unfortunately many other diseases often go undiagnosed due to mislabelling as IBS. That's not to say there isn't a genuine condition of IBS; there most definitely is, and it seems to be becoming increasingly prevalent in the West.

IBS symptoms vary from constipation to diarrhoea to intermitted constipation and diarrhoea, and other symptoms may or may not be present: stomach pain/discomfort, urgency, abdominal cramps, blood in stools, flatulence, excessively smelly stools, anaemia, bloating, excessive belching and more. Due to the different symptoms there can be a number of dietary and medical approaches to the treatment of IBS, with varied success. Some people may identify certain food intolerances and need to exclude the offending items from their diet, others may adopt a diet high in dietary fibre, for example see our Meal Plan for Diverticular Disease. Others may trial a low fibre or low residue diet (plan coming soon) to try to control symptoms. Some people however try a number of dietary regimens, with zero success, and so may need medical intervention and further exploration.

However, the first dietary manipulation suggested is the low irritant diet. The principles of this diet are to avoid irritant foods and also to reduce high intakes of fatty foods. Fibre needs to be included in your diet, but certain high fibre foods may irritate the bowel. This regimen encourages a good fibre intake, whilst avoiding certain irritant fibre foods. High fat foods may also exacerbate symptoms so should be limited. It is also important to drink well – 12 cups of fluid per day. Avoid strong tea and coffee, and limit fizzy drinks and alcohol. It is also important to eat a wide variety of foods and to eat regular meals, don't miss meals. Adapt the plan to suit your own needs and daily routine and vary portions and food choices from day to day.

Heed the following principles:

• Starchy foods:
  Avoid – white bread, granary bread or any bread containing grains and seeds; cornflakes, Rice Krispies, cereals containing nuts and dried fruit, e.g. muesli; biscuits/cakes containing nuts, dried fruit; chips/French fries, crisps/potato chips, cold/reheated potatoes
  Include - wholemeal, brown or wheatmeal bread; high fibre breakfast cereals, e.g. branflakes, Weetabix, Shreddies, porridge; all plain biscuits, plain cakes and scones; pasta, rice – preferably wholewheat/brown varieties; potatoes - baked, mashed, boiled, etc
• Dairy products
  Avoid – cream; full cream milk; yoghurt/fromage frais containing seeds or nuts
  Include - skimmed or semi skimmed milk; cheeses preferably low- fat or cottage cheese, quark; smooth yoghurts/fromage frais
• Fruit
  Avoid - fruit containing pips or seeds, e.g. raspberries, blackcurrants, etc; tough fruit skins; nuts, seeds, dried fruit
  Include - fruit juice, peeled fresh fruit, tinned and stewed fruit
• Vegetables
  Avoid - all veg containing pips or seeds, e.g. tomatoes; tough skins e.g. onion, sweetcorn, peas; or tough stalks, e.g. broccoli; pulses e.g. red kidney beans, baked beans, lentils
  Include - all other veg, though some salad and raw veg may upset some people
• Meat, poultry, fish
  Avoid - tough and fatty meat, meat pies; fish where you consume bones, e.g. sardines; fried fish in batter or breadcrumbs
  Include - lean meat and poultry; all other fish
• Miscellaneous
  Avoid - large amounts of butter/margarine; jam/marmalade containing seeds/shreds; crunchy peanut butter; pastry; soups containing pulses, onions, etc; hot spices, pickles, chutney; Chinese/Indian dishes
  Include - low fat spreads; jelly jam, shredless marmalade; smooth peanut butter; cream or clear soups; salt, pepper, ketchup, vinegar; eggs

The following meal plan is an example plan of a healthy low irritant diet which may help relieve symptoms of IBS. Use this to give you an idea of what are healthy nutritious foods to include, but don't forget to vary your food choices and to drink plenty of water through the day. Remember to check with your doctor before following this plan.