These Foods May Be Making Your IBS Worse (2024)

Posted by Temple Health

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects as many as 1 in 5 adults, causing a variety of symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, cramping, bloating and gas. Each person with IBS has different symptoms that may be triggered by different foods or other factors. Below are some of the most common ones.

Foods that may make IBS diarrhea worse

  • Fried foods
  • Fatty foods
  • Dairy (especially if you are lactose intolerant)
  • Foods containing wheat (if you are gluten-sensitive)
  • Too much fiber (especially from fruit/vegetable skin)
  • Chocolate
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Caffeine
  • Alcohol

Foods that may make IBS constipation worse

  • Processed foods (cookies, chips)
  • Refined grains (white flour)
  • Dairy (especially cheese)
  • Too much protein
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Caffeine
  • Alcohol

If you’re not sure what foods are triggering your symptoms, try the elimination approach. Make a list of foods you suspect may be causing your symptoms and eliminate one food at a time for 12 weeks to see if it makes a difference in how you feel.

Other tips for managing IBS symptoms

  • Eat multiple small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals.
  • Don’t eat too quickly.
  • Limit processed foods, which can contain unsuspecting ingredients that trigger IBS flare-ups.
  • Eat soluble fiber instead of insoluble fiber to ease constipation without bloating or diarrhea (oats, avocados, sweet potatoes, beans, apples, broccoli, carrots).
  • Try ginger, peppermint or chamomile, which may improve various digestion issues.
  • Don’t smoke. Smoking can worsen symptoms.
  • Reduce stress and anxiety, which have been shown to trigger IBS flare-ups.

Get help and relief from your IBS symptoms

If your IBS symptoms are getting worse causing you more pain, schedule an appointment with a Temple gastroenterologist today. They can recommend lifestyle and diet changes, as well as medicines that can help ease symptoms.

Request an appointment today or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536).

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These Foods May Be Making Your IBS Worse (2024)

FAQs

These Foods May Be Making Your IBS Worse? ›

The two things most likely to make your IBS symptoms worse are the foods you eat and having emotional stress. Diet. Eating makes your colon muscles move or contract. This normally gives you an urge to have a bowel movement 30 to 60 minutes after a meal.

What foods trigger IBS the most? ›

Foods that may make IBS diarrhea worse
  • Fried foods.
  • Fatty foods.
  • Dairy (especially if you are lactose intolerant)
  • Foods containing wheat (if you are gluten-sensitive)
  • Too much fiber (especially from fruit/vegetable skin)
  • Chocolate.
  • Carbonated drinks.
  • Caffeine.
Jun 16, 2022

What food calms an IBS flare-up? ›

Foods to include during an IBS-D flare
  • Lean protein. Include lean meats, eggs, and fish to ensure adequate protein intake during an IBS flare. ...
  • Fruits. Berries and other fruits with seeds are harder to digest. ...
  • Vegetables. Fresh vegetables are a mainstay in a balanced diet. ...
  • Grains. ...
  • Dairy.

Why is my IBS suddenly so bad? ›

The two things most likely to make your IBS symptoms worse are the foods you eat and having emotional stress. Diet. Eating makes your colon muscles move or contract. This normally gives you an urge to have a bowel movement 30 to 60 minutes after a meal.

What are the 5 best foods for IBS? ›

The Best Foods for IBS
  1. Salmon. Sarah Schlichter, M.P.H., RDN, a registered dietitian at Bucket List Tummy, tells EatingWell, “Salmon and other fatty fish are high in unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. ...
  2. Bell Peppers. ...
  3. Lean Meat. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Eggs. ...
  6. Sweet Potatoes. ...
  7. Spinach. ...
  8. Kiwi.
Nov 10, 2023

Is salad bad for IBS? ›

For example, if you suffer from IBS diarrhea symptoms, you'll want to eat lower fiber and easier to digest foods during this time. A large salad loaded with raw vegetables, while generally super healthy, will usually make things worse for an IBS patient.

What are good snacks for IBS? ›

Some quick and easy snacks for IBS include an unripe banana with peanut butter, fruit smoothies, low-FODMAP crackers and cheese, air-popped popcorn, hard-boiled eggs and low-FODMAP crackers, and seaweed snacks.

How do you calm down severe IBS? ›

General tips to relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms
  1. cook homemade meals using fresh ingredients when you can.
  2. keep a diary of what you eat and any symptoms you get – try to avoid things that trigger your IBS.
  3. try to find ways to relax.
  4. get plenty of exercise.
  5. try probiotics for a month to see if they help.

Does lying down make IBS worse? ›

Sleep position and IBS

If so, you are likely sleeping in the wrong position. Sleeping on your back or left side can alleviate IBS symptoms by putting your gut in a better position to adequately digest food and do its job. Sleeping on the right side, on the other hand, can make IBS symptoms worse.

How to cure IBS permanently? ›

There isn't a cure for IBS. But, most people manage symptoms by avoiding triggers and taking medications when necessary.

Is banana good for IBS? ›

Fruits lower in fructose, such as berries, citrus and bananas, may be a better choice for people with IBS.

Is peanut butter good for IBS? ›

Peanut butter is considered low FODMAP when eaten in moderation. Medical experts often recommend low FODMAP for people with IBS. A tablespoon of peanut butter can be a suitable snack for IBS.

What is the biggest cause of IBS? ›

The reasons why IBS develops are not clear. It can occur after a bacterial infection or a parasitic infection (giardiasis) of the intestines. This is called postinfectious IBS. There may also be other triggers, including stress.

What is the main factor that aggravates IBS? ›

A true food allergy rarely causes IBS . But many people have worse IBS symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages. These include wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, beans, cabbage, milk and carbonated drinks. Stress.

Are eggs bad for IBS? ›

People look at foods such as fruits, vegetables, and certain grains, thinking they're eating healthy—however, in an IBS patient, some of these foods can trigger symptoms. Some of the best foods for IBS include: Eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and don't upset the colon.

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