Foods to Manage IBS

Foods to Manage IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common digestive issue. This condition affects the normal systemic contractile movements of the intestine, making the passing of food through the digestive tract irregular. The uncoordinated movements of food and bowels through the intestines inhibits the normal bowel movement, causing symptoms like stomach ache, alternating constipation and diarrhea, presence of mucus in feces, and bloating.

One easy way of dealing with IBS is managing your diet. To help you with that, here is a list of IBS foods to eat:

Papaya
Papaya has been known as one of the most bowel-friendly fruits. The orange-colored fruit is rich in a chemical called papain, which makes it easier for the body to digest proteins. A study suggested that consumption of a formula that is papaya-based for about 40-days resulted in less bloating and better bowel movements. This makes papaya one of the must-buy IBS foods to eat.

Oats
We all know the health benefits of high-fibrous oats. Adding oats to your smoothies or meals provides bulk to the bowel. This is because oats are rich in soluble fiber, it increases the satiety value of food and adds weight to the stools. What’s more, oats make it onto the list of IBS foods to eat as they aid in the cultivation of the good gut bacteria and relieve constipation. They are also widely used in weight loss diets.

Beetroot
Beetroot is a good natural option to increase your hemoglobin. Good blood hemoglobin levels mean good and easy bowel movements. This helps address the constipation issue that can arise due to IBS. Hence, to avoid constipation, add beetroot to your IBS foods to eat list. Although, be mindful of its excessive consumption, as it can lead to diarrhea, which is again a symptom of IBS. Remember, balance is important.

Fruits
We are all aware of the fact that fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber content. However, one of the common triggers for IBS is the fructose content in the fruits. This does not call for permanently shunning foods from your diet. Fruits like bananas, berries, kiwis, and oranges have low sucrose content making them perfect to include in the diet. Stick with these fruits and you can achieve healthy eating and fibrous foods in one go.

Popcorn
Popcorn is possibly the most common snack and is loved by all. In fact, no movie is complete without a tub of popcorn. So why should IBS make you feel like you have to give up on your favorite snack? It does not, in fact, you can surely add it to your IBS foods to eat list. Popcorn is a fiber-rich whole-grain snack with a non-existent amount of calories. This means, your snack time will help ease your constipation and also help you in your weight loss goals without you having to feel guilty about bingeing.

IBS symptoms and diet differ from person to person. Therefore, it would be essential for you to figure out the foods that work for you. Talking to your doctor about diet changes and preferences is a good place to start.