I have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes a lot of gas and abdominal pain. Now I understood that food can reduce the complaints. What do you recommend?
Ingrid
Patricia Schutte, nutritionist
The complaints at irritable bowel syndrome are different for everyone. One suffers from diarrhoea, the other from constipation or alternating complaints. That is why there is no general dietary advice. But it is important for everyone to high fiber to eat, to vary plenty and to drink a lot.
Eat soluble fiber, especially from fruits and vegetables. Use extra soluble fiber (psyllium fiber) if necessary.
You can try to stop eating or drinking certain products to see if the symptoms decrease. But be careful with that. If you avoid some products for a long time, you can over time too little vitamins or get nutrients. So make sure you eat enough fruit and vegetables and ask a dietitian for advice if you are going to leave out many foods.
Foods that we know can aggravate symptoms are cabbages (except cauliflower and broccoli), onions, peppers and legumes, such as kidney beans, white beans, capuchins and lentils. Carbonated drinks, milk products, coffee, sugar, fat and citrus fruits can also contribute to complaints. Also avoid sweeteners and products that contain it, such as some types of chewing gum. Some people with IBS indicate that their symptoms decrease after using probiotics.
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