What Should We Eat If We Have An Irritable Bowel

While each person should check which foods are best or worst for them, the truth is that there are some, such as fruits and vegetables, that are often highly recommended in case of irritable bowels.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder that causes, among other symptoms, changes in intestinal transit and abdominal pain. It can alternate between diarrhea and constipation and is more than just food related. Fortunately, in most cases, it doesn’t

Therefore, in the following article we will tell you which foods you should eat if you have an irritable bowel and, of course, which foods to avoid. Of course, this does not replace the doctor’s advice. In any case, it would be a complement.

What is irritable bowel?

According to experts at the University of Navarre Clinic, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disease characterized by causing abdominal pain and changes in bowel rhythm.

It can be said that it is a set of signs and symptoms that commonly manifest themselves through intestinal discomfort and diarrhea. It may even have different incidences depending on where you live.

For example, in industrialized countries it can be directly related to stress and type of diet. It can also be related to mood, as it influences intestinal secretions. In fact, this problem affects people of all ages.

How is irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed?

You may suspect that you have this problem if you have abdominal pain for at least 3 days in a row and, in addition, if you are accompanied by:

Symptoms increase according to the shape or appearance of the stool.
Onset of symptoms after changes in bowel movement frequency.
Improvement of symptoms after bowel movement.

According to the experts at the MSD Manual, the diagnosis is made based on the patient’s physical assessment and the performance of some tests (blood tests, ultrasound, X-rays or colonoscopy).

Want to know more? Read: Cleanse Your Colon Naturally With These 5 Home Remedies

What to do if you have an irritable bowel?

Even though the diet should be different for each patient, there are some general tips for irritable bowel sufferers:

Moderate fiber consumption

On the one hand, the intake of insoluble fiber (from whole foods) should be reduced so as not to contribute to greater imbalances in intestinal transit.
On the other hand, increase the consumption of soluble fiber, which improves the production of stools and the frequency of bowel movements. This type of fiber can be found, for example, in vegetables, fruits and vegetables.

Avoid fats and sugars

Foods rich in fat, refined sugars and fructose (sugar found in some fruits such as apricots or cherries) can increase the symptoms of irritable bowel, according to nutritionist and nutritionist Juana María González Prada.

pay attention to drinks

Coffee and tea should be eaten sparingly. And alcoholic beverages should be avoided as much as possible.
At the same time, it is recommended to drink enough water every day. This will ensure the hydration of the whole body, but it mainly helps with the formation of the stool.
Water or herbal infusions (such as lime) can relieve constipation.

control stress

It is very important to keep worry, nervousness and anxiety at bay. Even though it may seem easy to say, we should do our best not to let the stress get the better of us.

It is often a matter of attitude and how we behave in each situation. Don’t worry too much, don’t take your work problems home, take the time to do what you love and sleep well. If you add a good diet to that, in a short time you can reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Foods suitable for irritable colon

Eating habits are more than related to this problem. The factors that affect the most are the frequency and amount of food eaten. Therefore, it is recommended to have more meals, but with smaller portions in each one. For example, instead of eating 3 times abundantly, try eating 6 smaller meals.

Another aspect to be taken into consideration is the way of feeding. You should chew each bite a lot and eat slowly. Rushing only brings gas and indigestion.

It’s also good to maintain a routine about eating times. This means that we should have breakfast, lunch and dinner at about the same time each day.

Among the foods allowed for the irritable bowel, we highlight:

fruit

In order not to be harmful, the fruits should be eaten without the skin, or even boiled or boiled. The most relevant are: apple, watermelon, pear, peach and banana.

Visit this article: The 5 Best Fruits for Colon Cleansing: Find Out!

vegetables

Steam them so they don’t lose nutrients and are easier to digest. The best are: lettuce, asparagus, onion and garlic.

Vegetables and cereals

Peas, lentils and soy can be great allies against irritable bowel. In the case of cereals, we recommend wheat, rye and barley.

dairy products

If you are lactose intolerant, you can consume vegetable milks. Otherwise, prefer the low-fat ones to complement your diet.

Doubts or discomfort? See your doctor

If you have any questions, it is best to consult your doctor. It is not advisable to consume medications or specific foods if you have doubts about their effects on the body.

On the other hand, it must be remembered that no food, drink or natural remedy is capable of curing or replacing the treatment prescribed by the doctor. In any case, it can be a complement.