Intermountain Health Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Give Diet Tips for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is very common, affecting between 25 and 45 million people in the United States – or 1 in 20 Americans. April is set aside as IBS awareness month to help people understand and address the condition.

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a group of gastrointestinal symptoms that include:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Gas
• Indigestion
• Bloating

IBS is more likely to occur in women or people who are younger than 50 years old. But it can affect any age or those with a family history. The cause is unknown, but it can be triggered by stress or diet.

“IBS is not a one diet fits all diagnosis – it manifests differently in each person and dietary treatment often differs from person to person,” said Tiana Barker, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist with Intermountain Health based in the Salt Lake City area.

How registered dietitians can help those suffering from IBS

1. Identify trigger foods – by keeping a food diary to help identify foods or meals when symptoms started. Triggers may include:

• Certain indigestible carbohydrates called FODMAPs, such as lactose, fructose or certain sugars that cause intestinal distress.
• A diet too high in insoluble fiber.
• A diet too low in fiber.
• Inflammatory foods such as processed or red meats, fried, greasy, or oily foods, and foods high in saturated fats
• Spicy foods.
• Beverages with carbonation, that are high in caffeine, or even that have alcohol.

1. Create a tailored diet plan – that includes subtle changes to improve symptoms:

• Do a short-term elimination diet of foods high in FODMAPs with a gradual reintroduction after a period of 4-6 weeks.
• Modify foods high in insoluble fiber by peeling skins, removing seeds, cooking, or blending to change fiber to soluble fiber which may be more tolerated.
• Gradually increase fiber in diet by a few grams every several days.
• Incorporate higher portions of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet while gradually reducing portions of inflammatory foods.
• Avoid spicy foods
• Encourage drinking more water, which can be flavored naturally with fruits and certain herbs,
• Create a regular eating schedule.

“No single diet plan fits every person with IBS the same. All foods can fit into an IBS diet – the goal for IBS patients and registered dietitians is to identify diet triggers, modify their diet to meet their individual needs to prevent symptoms, while still eating the entire spectrum of foods they enjoy as they are able,” said Barker.

Intermountain Health dietitians are available for in-person or virtual consultations. For help finding a dietitian visit the nutrition services page at intermountainhealth.org.

Intermountain Health provides comprehensive care and support to those affected by IBS and encourages those experiencing symptoms of IBS to seek medical advice and support from their primary care physician or a gastroenterologist.

For more information on IBS and how to manage it, contact your healthcare provider or visit https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/gastroenterology