MedicineNet

home > digestion center > digestion a-z list > irritable bowel syndrome (ibs) triggers, prevention index > irritable bowel syndrome (ibs) triggers, prevention article

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Triggers, Prevention (cont.)

2. Diet Triggers for IBS Diarrhea

Comment on this

Some foods can worsen IBS-related diarrhea. These include:

  • Too much fiber, especially insoluble fiber found in the skin of fruits and vegetables

  • Food and drinks with chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, fructose, or the sugar substitute sorbitol

  • Carbonated drinks

  • Large meals

  • Fried and fatty foods

  • Food and drinks with dairy

  • Foods with wheat -- Some people may be allergic or have a negative reaction to gluten

Prevention Strategies:

  • Eat a moderate amount of soluble fiber. It adds bulk to the colon and can help prevent spasms. Good sources are whole wheat breads, oats, barley, brown rice, pasta, the flesh of fruit (as opposed to the skin), and dried fruits.

  • Don't consume foods with extreme temperatures, such as ice-cold water and steaming hot soup, in the same meal.

  • Stay away from broccoli, onions, and cabbage. They can cause gas, which can make diarrhea sufferers feel worse.

  • Eat smaller portions.

  • Drink six to eight glasses of plain water a day, but drink the water an hour before or after meals, not with meals.

  • Consult with your doctor or a dietitian if you suspect you may have a wheat allergy.

Some people with IBS have symptoms similar to lactose intolerance with excess gas. A trial of a lactose-free diet and avoidance of foods that produce excess gas such as beans, brussels spouts, pretzels, bagels, wheat germ, raisins, and celery may help reduce symptoms.

© 2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
Source article on WebMD


Patient Comments

Viewers share their comments

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Constipation Question: If you have IBS-related constipation, what are the triggers? What dietary changes have you made?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Diarrhea Question: Do you get IBS-related diarrhea? Discuss the triggers and dietary changes you have made.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Stress and Anxiety Question: Does stress or anxiety trigger your IBS? What changes have you made to alleviate these triggers?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Other Triggers Question: Discuss the things that trigger symptoms of IBS and ways you try to prevent recurrences.
Print
MedicineNet Doctors

Suggested Reading on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Triggers and Prevention by Our Doctors

  • Related Diseases & Conditions

    19 articles
    • Constipation
      • Constipation is defined medically as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week. Constipation usually is
    • Diarrhea
      • Diarrhea is a change is the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency are all symptoms
    • Menstrual Cramps
      • Menstrual cramps (pain in the belly and pelvic area) are experienced by women as a result of menses. Menstrual cramps are not the same as premenstrual
    • Anxiety
      • Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately
    • Intestinal Gas (Belching, Bloating, Flatulence)
      • Gas or "intestinal gas" means different things to different people. Everyone has gas and eliminates it by belching or farting (passing it through the rectum).
    • Stress
      • Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However, over-stress, can be harmful. There
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
      • IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a common gastrointestinal disorder involving abnormal gut contractions (motility) characterized by abdominal pain, bloating,
    • Sleep Apnea
      • Sleep apnea is defined as a reduction or cessation of breathing during sleep. The three types of sleep apnea are central apnea, obstructive apnea (OSA),
    • Sleep
      • A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual
    • Stress Management Techniques
      • Stress may be considered as any physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental unrest and that may be a factor in disease causation.
    • Abdominal Migraines in Children and Adults
      • Abdominal migraine in adults and children is a variant of migraine headaches. Abdominal migraine in children generally occurs in children who have a family
    • Sleepwalking
      • Sleepwalking is a condition in which an individual walks or does other activities while asleep. Factors associated with sleepwalking include genetic, environmental,
    • Insomnia Treatment (Sleep Aids and Stimulants)
      • Insomnia is difficulty in falling or staying asleep, the absence of restful sleep, or poor quality of sleep. Insomnia is a symptom and not a disease. The
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children
      • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation.
    • Menstrual Cramps and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Medication Guide
      • Menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms include abdominal cramping, bloating, a feeling of fullness, abdominal pain, mood swings, anxiety
    • Bowel Incontinence
      • Bowel or fecal incontinence refers to the loss of voluntary control of stool, or bowel movements. The condition can include partial incontinence, in which
    • Problem Sleepiness
      • When sleepiness interferes with daily routines and activities, or reduces the ability to function, it is called "problem sleepiness." A person can have
    • Health and the Workplace
      • Early warning signs of job stress include headache, sleep disturbance, difficulty in concentrating, short temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, and
    • Sleep Related Breathing Disorders
      • Sleep-related breathing disorders are characterized by disruptions of normal breathing patterns that only occur during sleep. Snoring and sleep apnea are

  • Medications

    5 articles

  • Procedures & Tests

    0 articles

  • Pictures, Images & Quizzes

    3 articles

  • Doctor's & Expert's Views

    0 articles

  • Health News

    16 articles

  • Health Features

    1 articles
Privacy Policy

GI Disorders

Get the latest treatment options.

Please acknowledge your agreement

Symptom Checker: Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain

From WebMD

Health Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Get the latest health and medical information delivered direct to your inbox FREE!