Preparing and serving foods tailored for someone with IBS

Preparing and serving foods tailored for someone with IBS is an important part of helping your loved one with the condition.

By Brian Hoyle
Medically reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD

Everyone suffers from tummy troubles from time to time. Fortunately, for many, the stomach and abdominal pain, bloated feeling, and diarrhea or constipation are short-lived. But for the more than 58 million Americans who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the gastric miseries go on and on.

If you care for someone who has IBS, what you cook — and how you prepare the food — can play a key role in symptom management. (This is particularly the case for children and teenagers, who may be less likely to make wise food choices to ease their symptoms.) With a bit of food knowledge, those who care for someone with IBS can help make daily life more pleasant and normal.

IBS: The Role of Diet
No one single food is the cause of IBS. Rather, a variety of foods and drinks can be "triggers" that kick-start IBS.

The IBS culprits can include:

Foods that are high in fat

Deep-fried food

Fiber that is digested less easily (insoluble fiber)

Caffeinated beverages (even decaf coffee)

Carbonated beverages such as soda pop and sparkling water

Alcohol

Artificial sweeteners, especially sorbitol, which cannot be digested
Red meat

Dairy products (for those who are lactose-intolerant)
When consumed, these foods can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing painful muscular reactions, or can stimulate the production of an immune system compound called immunoglobulin G (IgG). A diet that does not contain IgG-stimulating foods can lessen the IBS symptoms. "Identification of food intolerances is paramount," says Anthony Starpoli, MD, director of gastroesophageal research and endosurgery at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City and an assistant professor of medicine at New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y.

IBS and Diet: Things to Do

If the bad IBS news is that there are plenty of dietary pitfalls, the good news for those with IBS and their caregivers is that effective choices can be made that don't sacrifice proper nutrition. Here are some ideas:

Figure out which foods work and which don't. By keeping a journal that charts the foods eaten and the resulting intestinal happiness or upset over time, you can pinpoint a list of no-go foods. Sticking to the friendly foods will help lessen the IBS symptoms. Be patient; this step takes time.

Learn to read labels. Labels carry a lot of information on the ingredients that may trigger IBS misery.

Avoid large meals. Studies have indicated that eating four to five smaller meals a day can lessen cramping and diarrhea, compared with the traditional breakfast, lunch, and dinner routine.

Put less gas in your tank. Some people are prone to gas. For these folks, curbing broccoli, onions, beans, brussel sprouts, and garlic can relieve gas. Keeping a diet and symptom journal will help identify the gassy foods to avoid.

Eat foods that are low in fat. Low-fat food is absorbed by the digestive tract more easily than high-fat food.

Try selected dairy products. Although milk, cream, sour cream and even ice cream can be time bombs for the lactose-intolerant, other dairy products, including yogurt and cheese that contain living bacteria such as acidophilus, can help digest lactose and provide an intestinal coating of beneficial bacteria.

Be selective with fruits. Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes can increase IBS discomfort.

"A sound, soluble diet and plenty of water is the foundation," says Dr. Starpoli.

IBS: Cooking Hints

Food preparation can also influence the types and severity of IBS symptoms that develop. Any preparation that encourages children and teens to eat what's on the plate is a good start.

"If children and teenagers are finicky eaters, it may be more of a challenge to provide the right foods for them to eat. Keep in mind that many foods that are healthy for someone with IBS are eaten daily anyway and would not be a huge adjustment to incorporate more frequently into the diet," says Anna Lieber, a dietitian with the Capital District Health Association in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, whose experience includes treating children and teens with IBS.

Helpful hints include the incorporation of barley and fennel (which can be soothing to the digestive tract) in casseroles and soups, baking with nut-based flours, and looking for gluten-free alternatives to foods such as pasta and bread. There are also many cookbooks with recipes tailored to IBS sufferers.

If you care for someone with IBS, be sure she avoids trigger foods, eats smaller meals, and generally pays attention to what she puts into her body. With the right diet, you can help your loved one with IBS reduce her uncomfortable symptoms.

Last Updated: 04/23/2009

Thanks for the wonderful article. I know most of this from doing a lot of research for my condition but I definitely could use a reminder. I have suffered pretty bad for about 3 days now after eating bad foods. I'm giving up carbonated beverages, coffee, and definitely fried foods. I saw my GI yesterday and he is recommending I try Align for one month. "Align is the #1 Gastroenterologist-Recommended... probiotic supplement that helps you build and maintain a stronger, healthier digestive system." I told him that I have tried probiotics but he is insistent that this one is different because it has Bifantis. "In two separate studies, Bifantis was clinically proven to help build and maintain a healthier digestive system by defending against this full range of digestive episodes.* I'm hoping it's the answer but I know I have a lot of control if I just eat the right foods.