What is IBS? Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort going from constipation one day to diarrhea the next. Often times people feel bloating or gas pains ( gas pockets) as well.
IBS affects about 12% of the population in the United States. Affecting every 2 out of 3 women and 1 out of 3 males ranging from all ages but most patient who suffer from this disorder are under the age of 50 with IBS even affects children .
Symptoms to watch out for:
Abdominal pain
Cramping
Bloating
Constipation
Diarrhea
Inability to empty bowels
Indigestion
Nausea
Gas
Urgent need to defecate
** patients may also experience:
•anxiety
•depression
•discomfort
•loss of appetite
Foods to Avoid:
-Dairy: cream cheese, cheese, lactose
-Red Meats: beef, hamburgers, hot dogs, steak, roast beef, ham, bacon and salami
-Caffeinated Drinks: coffee, soft drink, black or green tea and carbonated drinks
-Alcohol: beer
-Beans: black beans, soy, kidney and navy beans
-Chocolate
-Cruciferous Vegetable: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts
-Fruits: watermelon, peaches, apples, mangos, nectarines and plums
-Sugar
-Artificial Sweeteners: aspartame and Splenda
-Nuts: almond (10), pistachio and cashews
Yummy, Food to enjoy!
-Lean Meats: chicken, turkey, pork, beef: sirloin, top round, bottom round, avoid dark chicken and turkey meat
-Salmon: anchovies, black cod, herring, mackerel, rainbow trout, sardines, white fish
-Eggs
-Vegetable: bell peppers, carrots, eggplant, fennel, green beans, parsley, parsnip, potato, squash, sweet potato, tomatoes, turnip and zucchini
-Greens: arugula, bok choy, collard greens, endive, kale, lettuce, radicchio, spinach and Swiss chard
-Fruits: avocado, banana, blueberry,cantaloupe, grapes, honey drew, kiwi, lemon, lime, mandarin oranges, oranges, papaya, pineapple, raspberry, rhubarb, strawberry
-Seeds: pumpkin and sunflower
-Fermented: drinks: kefir and kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt
*** If you suffer with any of the symptom listed above or believe you have IBS, please consult with your doctor PCP or a Gastroenterologist.