Probiotic Supplements

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More and more research shows that probiotics can greatly help reduce IBS symptoms. Many people have found that by taking probiotics in conjunction with diet considerations for IBS they can be pain free.

The most important thing of course is to make sure that you choose a high quality probiotic to take. When recommending a probiotic, we make sure that it does not contain any harmful additives or chemicals, as well as make sure it does not contain any common food allergens, such as dairy or soy or wheat. We also factor in affordability, safety, and other customer reviews as well, since experiences can vary from person to person.

Here are our top picks:

Flora Source Multi-Probiotic Capsules

While reviewing probiotics, it was important for us to make sure that they did not contain any ingredients which could further irritate a sensitive digestive system, as well as make sure they did not contain any common allergens, since undiagnosed food allergies can sometimes play a role in IBS symptoms as well. We were pleased to find that Flora Source multi-probiotic capsules fit exactly what we were looking for. It also has over 64 highly rated reviews, which is not surprising since it has a good blend of helpful bacteria and no irritating ingredients. Available From Nutri-Health.com.

There are many advantages to taking probiotic supplements, especially when it comes to digestive health. Choosing the right one is where it gets tricky, so we’ve decided to take some time and review and explain some of the common types available out there. While we cannot say that there is one for sure that is the “best probiotic” – especially since there is limited research available, we can give you an idea of different ones out there and give you the information you need to make your own informed choice.

Mainstream Probiotics

These are the ones your doctor might recommend, and you’ll find them in just about any grocery store. We listed them here with our own personal thoughts and beliefs about them so you could do your research to make your own decision.

Align Probiotic Supplement:

Align is one of the most popular probiotics recommended by physicians. Unfortunately, we fear that this one may be a pharmacuetical company influenced recommendation. While probiotics can be very helpful for treating digestive problems, the ingredients listed are a concern. For starters, it includes milk protein, which can be a big trigger factor for many people. It also contains food dye, another possible irritant for sensitive digestion systems. It contains a patented strain of bacteria called Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, which is also something to think about as it does not contain Acidophilus strains. On a positive note, it does come with a 100% Money Back Guarantee. Click Here to Read All 135 Customer Reviews of Align on Amazon.com

Acidophilus Pearls:

This is another popular choice amongst those suffering from IBS. It contains strains from both Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Longum, and their patented pearl technology is supposed to protect the bacteria to make sure it actually reaches your digestive system. The price is affordable – $15 for a 90 day supply. They are also gluten, corn, preservative, and artificial coloring free, though they may contain soy and dairy.  Click Here to Read the 88 Customer Reviews on Acidophilus Pearls.

Accuflora Probiotic Supplement

The Accuflora probiotic supplement is another one we decided to review, because it is a popular choice for many and is different from the others in the fact that it contains 5 strains of beneficial bacteria: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidbacterium Bifidum. This is a good blend for those who are having problems with unfriendly organisms such as yeast or others. It does not have as many customer reviews (most likely because the others are more readily available at pharmacies as well as pushed by doctors) – but it does have a very strong ratio of good reviews and experiences.  Best of all, it is dairy free and does not contain colorings or artificial sweeteners  like some others do.  It is also very economical – for $18.61 you get 260 capsules. Click Here to Read All 49 Customer Reviews and Order

Digestive Advantage

Digestive Advantage is another popular choice for many, though it does have some issues with it that we aren’t thrilled about. Our main concern? Propylene glycol is used to make the capsules, which is a known irritant for many people, not just those who have IBS. However, with as many positive reviews that it has, we felt that if one is aware of that potential danger it should be listed to make this list well rounded and unbiased as possible. It should also be noted it contains milk proteins. Click Here to Read 159 Customer Reviews.

There you have it, the most popular probiotic supplements on the market today. If you are struggling with the symptoms of IBS, a good probiotic supplement is key in conjunction with the right diet and avoiding trigger foods such as dairy products. Looking into digestive enzymes may also be a good idea.

Before using any supplement, it is always a good idea to talk with your health care provider. While probiotics are believed to be generally safe for all ages, and are even added into baby formulas, there is still limited research available, and so the potential risks are not yet known. Due to limited research, it is also difficult to say which strains of bacteria are the most beneficial or what other factors should be considered. Also, different people will have different results. If you have bad bacteria or yeast in your system, it may be necesarry to first get rid of those before seeing any benefits of probiotics. Food intolerances, diet, and lifestyle choices can also play a role in the success of taking probiotics.

If you have any experience using any of the above probiotic supplements, we’d love to hear how they worked (or didn’t work if that was the unfortunate case) for you. Share your thoughts or questions in the comments section below!

Dr. Dahlman’s IBS Treatment Review

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Dr. Dahlman is a chiropractor based in Ohio who has formulated a system to help treat thousands of people to cure IBS. While he is not a GI specialist, he at least does have a medical background..

His book, titled Why Doesn’t My Doctor Know This?: Conquering Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn’s Disease and Colitis explains in detail the protocol he follows in treating his patients for IBS, Chrohns disease, and other digestive upsets. While the book is priced right at $12.21, the many supplements he recommends can be very expensive and are often thought by users to be overpriced.

His general protocol is this:

1. Get rid of bad bacteria & yeast that may be causing problems if present (He recommends getting labwork for this)

2. Avoid All Dairy (this is the biggest rule)

3. Take Probiotic Supplements

4. Take Digestive Enzymes

5. Never Drink Beverages With Meals

6. Pinpoint Food Allergies

7. Avoid Gas Causing Foods

We like Dalhman’s approach because rather than chaining you down to a diet for the rest of your life, it gives you things to try that will help you actually address the root causes of your IBS. Most diet plans only cover the basics of eat this and not that and don’t do much to help understand why your digestive system hates you so much.

While it has a very good success rate in his practice, the cost of the supplements can often make this program out of reach for many people. One could easily spend thousands of dollars trying to make this work, and because they are not prescription medications or a standard medical protocol, most insurances will not be able to help cover some of the costs. He uses many patented formulas for medications which are only available through his website and office.

It’s a book we feel that is worth reading in solving the mystery of the puzzle of irritable bowel syndrome, but unfortunately the protocol is one that many simply cannot afford to try, especially if it does not work. While we know it’s likely you will pay any price to find relief, we also understand that most people simply do not have the extra available funds to give it a try.

For this reason, many people will instead decide to formulate their own treatment plan that is similiar to the protocol Dr. Dahlman prescribes. This can often be done by finding less expensive versions of the different supplements such as trying a probiotic supplement and digestive enzymes while using his dietary recommendations.

Another disadvantage to his diet is that he does not give you much help on what to actually eat – he does not offer you meal plans, recipes, or solutions for dealing with common food intolerance issues. While his book outlines everything to do and not to do in simple enough terms, this is often where many people feel lost and give up because it is easy to think there is nothing you can eat.

Bottom Line: Dr. Dahlman has a high success rate and the book is very easy to read and understand. The supplements recommended however can be expensive, and so if cost is an issue you may instead want to give the book a read to get a better understanding of the dietary recommendations and find your own comparable and less expensive supplements.

Common Diets for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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When it comes to the many different IBS diet plans, it can be very confusing to try and determine which one is the best one for you. We’ve decided to list some of the common diets for irritable bowel syndrome to help you determine which one may be the best choice for you.

Great Taste No Pain: The Great Taste No Pain diet is one that has somewhat revolutionized the way of eating for IBS. Most diet plans for IBS involve giving up many different foods – GTNP is different. Rather than restricting what you eat, it instead teaches you how to combine foods together in order to eat pain free. Click Here for our full review of the Great Taste No Pain Diet.

Eating for IBS: This is one of the oldest resources and quite possibly the “original” IBS diet plan. This plan can be a challenge to follow for some people, because it eliminates many foods, and requires you eating them a certain way. However, it has helped thousands of people and continues to be one of the more popular choices. Click Here to Read Our Full Review

Dr. Dahlman: Why Doesn’t My Doctor Know This? This is one of the only plans that is written by a doctor, though he is a chiropractor, and not a GI specialist. However, this is the one that is the most like our own eating plan and is a good supplemental read to the IBSDietGuide Plan.He recognizes and explains the importance of probiotics and healing the digestive tract so you can go back to eating like a normal person again – but there is little direction on what to actually eat.

Deciding which IBS diet plan is right for you is a personal choice. With the medical community being often so confused, misinformed, and clueless as to what the actual cause of IBS is and how to treat it, there are no definite answers onto which program really is the best. The only thing you can do is to research them all as thouroughly as possible, inform your doctor of your decisions, and then follow it to see if it makes a difference for you.

If you’ve tried one of the common diets for irritable bowel syndrome and wish to share your opinions and reviews, share them in the comments section below.

Eating For IBS Diet Plan & Book Review

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Eating for IBS is probably one of the oldest and still most common ways of eating to help manage IBS symptoms. Developed by Heather Van Vorous, an IBS sufferer, it can help many people find relief.

There are two books that are helpful to get to understand her program and way of eating. The first book to look into is The First Year: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)–An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. It is relatively inexpensive (only $10.85) – and it very well may be exactly what you need to find some relief. It even have a section titled “What to Eat When You Can’t Eat Anything” – which for those with IBS are all too familiar with. It goes into great detail in exactly what to eat, what not to eat, and why what you eat and how you eat it may cause issues for some people.

Having read the book ourselves, we found all of the information to be very well presented and easy to understand. There is nothing complicated about learning about which foods to avoid, how to eat certain foods so they don’t cause problems, and to create simple meal plans. It also includes suggestions on how to find relief when you do eat something you probably shouldn’t have.

The second book to go along with first book is perfect for anyone who has difficulty in creating their own meal plans and recipes that follow the eating guidelines. Eating for IBS: 175 Delicious, Nutritious, Low-Fat, Low-Residue Recipes to Stabilize the Touchiest Tummy features some very easy to make and enjoyable recipes, as well as an ingredients list. While it does not go into as great as detail about what to eat and how to eat it as the first book does, it will give you a very clear idea of the foods to eat while on the diet.

Most of the diet suggests common principles such as avoiding high fat foods, common irritants such as orange juice and coffee, and other steps to take. It suggests only to eat cooked vegetables and only eating raw vegetables at the end of the meal, so it is does take some food combining principles into play.

It is likely if you eat the ways outlined in the book you can find relief, however, this is a diet that you will likely be using for the rest of your life, as it does not actually help you to deal with the problems of why you may have the symptoms of IBS. Latest research has suggested that probiotics are an important piece of the puzzle in digestive health, and this book does not really discuss that much in detail, especially since it was published in 2001 and the latest theories on probiotics have only been made in recent years.

If you feel as if you can’t eat anything and are suffering, thousands of people have found relief through Heather’s Eating for IBS system. While it may not provide a cure, it does help you go back to being able to enjoy life again – and it’s quite possible when done with Probiotic Supplements that it can be the right solution for you. Best of all, the cost of the books are less than $22 together, which is a great value for something that may truly bring you relief, freedom, and happiness.

Click Here to Order Eating for IBS Books and Read Customer Reviews

Food Combining Diet & Free Printable Chart

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For those of you interested in food combining for IBS, it can be very confusing as to what exactly you should eat and what not to eat, and what to eat together. (Just writing that sounds confusing!)

There are a number of different programs out there that use food combining, so if the resources you’ve found online seem too confusing or difficult to follow, it may be well worth a small investment to buy one of the books that outlines exactly what you should do and includes meal plans and recipes, such as the Great Taste, No Pain Diet, a popular diet that is centered around food combining principles. While it has a focus on treating IBS, it teaches principles that anyone looking to do food combining can understand and use, as well as plenty of recipes to make.

One of the easiest ways to understand food combining is to use a simple reference chart that outlines what foods you can and cannot eat. Diet plans like the one above have much more detailed charts, but we decided to create our own version of one so you can get a general idea of the basic principles. Best of all, it’s in printable PDF format and 100% Free. Click Here to View the Free Food Combining Chart.

There are many alleged benefits of using food combining for better digestion. Better digestion often means becoming healthier, as you can better absorb the nutrients found in foods. Unfortunately, there are relatively few research studies and clinical trials to prove the effectiveness of food combining and whether or not it actually works or has any merit in being a method of helping to aid in digestion.

The scientific theory behind this eating plan is to only eat foods so they can be digested with their natural enzymes in the right type of environment, whether it be acid or alkaline. For those with digestive problems, this helps prevent the battle going on inside your digestive system. If you are interested in using it for weight loss, chances are it will be very successful, especially if combined with exercise. While the diet does not involve counting calories at all, it is filled with the very same healthy foods which have been the core for most weight loss programs since the invention of the word diet.

Fortunately, you will only need to follow the diet for four days to know whether or not you feel better. If you feel better after four days, then of course it is not a bad idea to keep eating that way as long as your nutritional requirements are being met. Even though scientific research is lacking, there is much evidence that it does indeed work for some people, based on the testimonials and reviews of different diet plans.

One of the main drawbacks of the diet is that often times if you go off the diet, you will go right back to the pain and agony if you are not careful. While it is relatively easy to follow once you get the basics down, we also understand that is is also easy to give into the temptations that are not on the diet. Changing your eating habits is not always an easy thing to do for most people!

If you try food combining and it does not seem to work for you, there are a few possible reasons why. It could be you have hidden food intolerances and so your body is reacting to those foods when you eat them. Another possibility is that you may need probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria to aid in digestion or digestive enzyme supplements as well. And of course, you should always talk to your doctor to rule out other possible problems as well.

If you’re serious about trying a food combining diet, it may be worthwhile to find a program that gives you a detailed chart of foods to eat, meal plans, recipes, and more. One of the most popular options for this is the Great Taste, No Pain Diet – which also gives you a four day freebie kit with meal plans to help you find out if it will work for you before committing yourself to it.

Click Here for Great Taste, No Pain

Review of the Great Taste, No Pain Diet

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Great Taste, No Pain by Sherry Brescia is a popular eating plan for those who are looking to conquer their IBS symptoms when all other conventional diets and systems have failed. But does it really work?

It is one of the best selling ebooks on the subject of IBS, and it’s no wonder when you read all of the testimonials on the website. But you have to wonder, does Great Taste No Pain Work? Does it Heal the Digestive Tract? Or is it just another eating plan that only manages symptoms and will have you eating a special diet for the rest of your life?

What Does the Program Suggest?

The first question you likely have is how does it work? What is the science or theory behind Great Taste No Pain? The GTNP diet program isn’t really anything new or revolutionary, as it uses a system called Food Combining in order to help people better digest their food.

Food Combining theories use the basics of science to eat foods that don’t fight one another in digestion. It can sometimes seem confusing, because you will need to know which foods are acid and which ones are alkaline, and to be very careful when you eat certain foods together. The biggest rule is to never combine starches with proteins, though there are also other rules about when to eat fruits and vegetables as well. When you eat this way, your natural digestive enzymes can “play nice” to help digest food without any additional strain on your body. For more information on food combining, take a look at our free Food Combining Chart. You’ll likely learn everything you need to know about food combining from our simple worksheet.

An eBook is Not Enough to Cure You

While the GTNP program has plenty of recipes and tips for what to eat and what not to eat, it does not provide the one thing that would likely benefit you the most: probiotics. You should not have to pay someone to recommend probiotics to you.

The probiotics you decide to take should be any brand you feel comfortable with and known to be of good quality – you do not need to spend a lot of money on these, despite common beliefs. We’ve found ones that work just as well for just $10 a bottle from our local pharmacy, and there are also a number of other probiotics available online. Probiotics, when taken with the right type of diet, is what we believe is one the key elements in healing the digestive tract naturally and to get rid of IBS symptoms for good. See our full guide on probiotics supplements here.

Our Recommendation: Try the Free Sample Diet Plan

If you want to try food combining to see if it works, there is a free guide with meal plans, recipes, and other tips to get you started with the first few days. If you sign up for the freebies on the site, you’ll be able to give it a try for a few days to see if you notice any improvement with no commitment. If you try the sample diet and see the improvement after a few days, then you’ll have a good idea to know whether it works for you or not – and whether it is even worth the money or not.

Before you try a food combining diet, it is important that you talk it over with your doctor. You should also make sure you have ruled out any potential more serious problems with your doctor as well, since the symptoms of IBS may sometimes be of a more serious nature. It is also a good idea to rule out any potential food intolerances to foods like soy, wheat, milk, and others before changing your eating habits.

Bottom Line: GTNP might help you. It might not. We think many would find that taking probiotics and switching to an organic diet is probably a good start for many people, and it can be done without making too many major lifestyle changes. But, everyone is different, so you may not find complete relief and find the food combining helps you. At any rate, being backed by a 100% Money Back Guarantee, if you’ve tried all else and are still suffering it may be something worth looking into, and the freebies from the site are a good way to try before you buy.

Click Here to Learn More About Great Taste No Pain and Get Free Sample Meal Plans and Recipes to Get Started

IBS Symptoms

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This checklist of IBS symptoms will help you determine whether or not you may be suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. While most people feel uncomfortable talking about things like constipation, diarrhea, and stomach cramping, it’s important if you have any of these symptoms you talk with your doctor about whether or not you have IBS or if you may have a more serious condition.

Here are some of the common symptoms of people who have IBS:

Stomach Cramping: Stomach cramping can be intermittent, it can happen when you eat certain foods, for some it may happen after every single meal. For some the stomach pain can feel like a mild tummy ache, for others it may feel like your stomach is in knots or doing back flips. Stomach aches need to be present at least three days a month for three months in order for doctors to consider it to be IBS, and typically having a bowel movement will relieve the pain.

Irregular Bowels: Some people will have loose watery stools, going several times a day, whereas others will have nonstop constipation and it may be days without a bowel movement. Some people will fluctuate between the two on a regular basis. If you have to think about where the nearest bathroom will be in case of an attack, it’s a pretty strong indication that something is wrong with your digestive system.

Gas and Bloating: Gas and bloating is another common symptom of IBS. Some gas and bloating is normal with certain foods, but if it causes discomfort or embarrassment, it may likely be something that needs looked into.

IBS can also have some symptoms that don’t seem like they are related to the intestines or your digestive system at all:

Anxiety & Stress: Those with IBS usually are under a lot of stress and feel anxious about different situations. While IBS is not caused by stress or anxiety, these can make other IBS symptoms worse.

Fatigue: Having a lack of energy or feeling tired all of the time is another side effect of IBS. When your body has digestive problems, it usually means that you are not getting the nutrition necessary to have the energy you need.

Other Symptoms: Other symptoms can include anything from trouble sleeping to back ache to having urinary tract problems. These symptoms can often be confusing, so if you have any additional symptoms to IBS that seem unrelated, you may want to talk about them in detail with your doctor.

Now that you know some of the common IBS symptoms, it can help you determine whether or not you may be classified as having irritable bowel syndrome. However, it is important there are many other conditions that can mimic the same symptoms of Irritable Bowel, such as Colitis, Crohn’s disease and many others. It is always best to talk with a doctor for a proper diagnosis and to outrule and more serious conditions before starting any treatment for IBS.

Probiotics Side Effects

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Many people ask about what probiotics side effects they can expect when taking a probiotic to help improve and heal their digestive tract. Since there seems to be a lot of confusion about probiotics in general, I decided to go over what they are, how they work, and what you can expect when taking them here to help answer all of your questions. The type you choose to use is greatly going to affect what results you see. If you are interested in reviews on the most popular brands (because not all of them are created equal!) Check out our post on Probiotic Supplements.

What are They?

Probiotics supplements are in essence, a capsule full of bacteria. That sounds terrible, doesn’t it? But before that turns you off, there’s something important you need to know: YOU NEED THEM! Your body is dependent on them for good digestion. These bacteria aren’t the bad type we associate with infections – but rather the good kind that actually help keep bad bacteria away. They also help ward off fungal problems, and they also help with aiding in digestion, since these friendly little bugs thrive on processing the foods we eat each and every single day.

When we take antibiotics, eat foods that are difficult to digest, and our bodies are bogged down with toxins or other diseases, our balance of good bacteria usually falls below what is necessary for digestive health. The only way to quickly rebuild this is to take a supplement which contains billions of cells – and not just for a few days or weeks, but often for several months if not longer.

The most popular types of probiotic bacteria include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These two are the kinds typically used in most supplements and are considered generally safe for most people, though before taking any supplement it is recommended to speak with a doctor.

Many people think they can get enough benefits just from eating yogurt every day. While it is true that most yogurts do have live cultures, usually the amount of bacteria is not enough, especially if you are having problems with unfriendly bacteria or yeast. Also, many people do not tolerate dairy at all, so this can make some problems actually much worse.

What are the Side Effects of Probiotics?

Unfortunately, there is not a lot of research done on the effect of probiotics and the relationship that exists between them and human health. These studies are especially inadequate regarding children and the effects of those with digestive disorders. However, the good news is that for most people there really are no side effects. Many people will wonder if the bacteria are even living when they take them and if they actually work.

However, after taking them for a prolonged period of time, it is likely you will notice that you do see an improvement. This could be through better digestion, less stomach cramping, or even possibly being able to tolerate the foods you couldn’t before.

Some people may notice additional gas and or bloating when taking probiotics. This is usually normal, and will go away within just a few days. The reason for this happening is that the bacteria could possibly be fighting off other ot so friendly organisms in your body (such as yeast or bad bacteria). If you experience any other symptoms, you may want to discuss those symptoms with a doctor and discontinue use or use a different type that may not give you the same side effects.

What Kind Are the Best?

I personally have tried several different types of probiotics to try and determine which ones really truly are the best. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium seem to be the two that are the safest to use, since they are the ones with the most research done on them. Ideally, you should take a supplement that has a high live cell count. If you are on a dairy free and gluten free diet to help manage your IBS symptoms, it is important that whichever supplement you choose is also gluten and dairy free, as even the tiny small amounts in the capsules could cause issues for some people.

I have found that price is not so much as important as quality. I have found some locally for less than $4 a bottle, which as far as I could tell, worked just as effectively as other more expensive types I tried. It used to be that the only good ones were refrigerated, but now it seems that with better innovations in creating these products, refrigeration is recommended, but not vital.

Are Probiotics Safe?
While we’re still waiting for someone to come out and officially declare that probiotics are safe, it may be awhile as there is not a whole lot of research being conducted on this. Currently the FDA regulates probiotics as a food, not a drug, and they are found in everything from yogurt to baby formula these days. So, if it is “safe” to put them in baby formula, it stands reason to believe that most adults can take them as a supplement without any adverse reactions. However, because they are not well researched yet, it’s hard to say what the long term effects are and whether or not it really is the best course of action. The good news is many IBS sufferers are finding relief when they take probiotics regularly for several months.

If you are thinking of taking probiotics, it’s always a good idea to do as much research about the different kinds and the ingredients in each. We’ve got a great article explaining the differences in the most popular ones (as well as where to get them without going broke!) – Click Here for Our Article on Probiotic Supplements Reviews

Now that you know a little bit about the side effects of probiotics, and that most people can take them, it’s one thing to try in helping you manage your IBS symptoms.

Foods to Eat With IBS

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When you are first diagnosed with IBS and trying to figure out what you can eat to relieve the constant cycle of pain and symptoms, it helps to have a list of foods to eat with IBS. IBS safe foods are those that are easy to digest, don’t cause any digestive problems, and can help you get important nutrients your body needs to work properly.

This is usually where a lot of different diet ideas conflict, because some will tell you to do one thing, while someone else might tell you the exact opposite!

I’m all for everyone doing as much of their own research as possible, so I’ll try to include the reasons why I recommend these foods to anyone with IBS. And to of course keep in mind that food sensitivities can be present in anyone to any food (even things you wouldn’t expect!) – so if you think you might be allergic or sensitive to certain foods on this list, make sure you avoid them!

Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are one of the safest foods for anyone to eat, as they are easy to digest. There’s a reason why they are one of baby’s first foods to try! They are high in antioxidants, as well as an anti-inflammatory food. When they are cooked properly, you can incorporate them into a number of different foods.

Blueberries: This is a food a pediatric specialist recommended for children who have irregularities. If you suffer from frequent constipation, blueberries can help – they are also high in antioxidants and vitamin C and a decent source of fiber. If you are following a food combining diet, you’ll want to make sure you follow the rules concerning when to eat fruit.

Flax Seed: Ground flax seed can give you many health benefits, especially concerning Omega 3 Fatty Acids. This powder like substance can be added to a variety of different recipes to give you added health benefits. Avoid whole flax seeds however, as they can be difficult to digest and make problems worse in some individuals.

Walnuts: Walnuts are another good source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Like flax seeds, if you have IBS we suggest grinding them finely to aid in digestion.

Leafy Greens: Green leafy vegetables give your body the many different nutrients it needs in order to perform at its best. Some people complain about having problems digesting them – if that’s the case, either mix them in with your favorite fruits in a smoothie or cook them first to help.

Kefir: Kefir is much like a yogurt drink. While there are some commercially available kefir drinks available, it can be concerning because some of them have carageen in them or are made from soy or milk, which can sometimes worsen IBS symptoms. Fortunately, making your own kefir drinks is pretty easy, all you need is some almond milk (read the ingredient labels carefully!) or other safe similiar beverage and Body Ecology Kefir Starter and you’re set to go!

All Natural and Organic Whole Foods: All natural and organic foods are a must, because most commercially available foods are filled with dangerous chemicals and additives that can only make symptoms worse. Even seemingly “safe” foods can have hidden triggers, which is why we recommend you find the most unprocessed varieties of foods you can find. Read the ingredient labels – if there’s something on there you can’t identify or pronounce, don’t eat it! If eating meat, make sure you also get organic meats, grass fed whenever possible.

Now, it’s also important to understand that it’s not just WHAT you eat…there’s a big difference in how you eat it, too!

Some people have found that food combining is a great help, though it is tricky to follow at first. Having a printable diet journal is imperative in tracking exactly what to eat and what your individual triggers may be.

Some foods are better cooked for some people, others find they are easier to eat when eaten raw. This may vary depending on a number of factors, unfortunately there are no set rules on “always eat this food this way”. But, there are a couple of guidelines:

Limit Eating Out: I’m not going to say never eat out again, but when you reduce the times you go out to eat you usually can help your stomach heal better. You never know what you’ll get when you eat at a restaurant. They usually only use the cheapest of ingredients, which aren’t usually of high quality. Cross contact with trigger foods can also cause some problems as well.

Chew Completely: Digestion starts in your mouth, so it’s important that you carefully and thoroughly chew all of your food. Many people find that grinding food in a food processor and making smoothies can greatly help make it easier to enjoy many things, not to mention eat healthy as well!

Determine Whether Snacks or Meals are Better for You: Some people say with IBS it is better to just have many small snacks, others will tell you it’s best to skip the snacks and stick to three square meals because it helps push food through the digestive tract better. Try both and see if you notice a difference or improvement to determine which one works best for you.

Don’t Overeat: It’s usually better to eat too little and then eat again in 10-15 minutes if you are still hungry. Eating too much food at once makes for more work for your digestive tract to do, so it’s better to not overload it at once!

These are just a few of our many tips available here at IBS Diet Guide, if you want to find out how to manage your IBS so you feel better, we hope you’ll check out our free diet sheets as well as our full program full of all the information you need.

Trigger Foods to Avoid With IBS

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There are a lot of conflicting opinions on what foods to avoid with IBS. Some will tell you avoid certain types of fiber, or most meats, or many other things can all be trigger foods for ibs. The list of what not to eat from some of these resources is almost longer than the list of what you can eat!

The problem with most of these lists of ibs trigger foods is that they don’t make any sense. Why would you eliminate for example coconut products, when they have the easiest to digest medium chain fatty acids? Others will tell you to eat foods that can really make IBS much worse, such as a ton of insoluble fiber. Most lists just eliminate everything, when you could have been eating it all along!

There are foods everyone who suffers from digestive problems should avoid, but it’s important for everyone to think about why these foods should be avoided – otherwise you’re just going to feel deprived!

Here are the top IBS Trigger Foods to Avoid:

Dairy Products: There’s a number of reasons why dairy should be avoided, and this is usually the one thing most people don’t want to give up! Dairy intolerance is very common, and is usually caused by one of two reasons. Some people cannot tolerate dairy because the milk sugars (lactose) are difficult to digest. Others should not eat dairy products because they may actually be intolerant of the proteins found in milk. (This is especially true if you’re prone to eczema or other skin conditions and sinus problems). Most commercial dairy products are so processed that they are very difficult to digest. For example, some people can handle raw, whole milk, because the digestive enzymes are not killed in pasturization and the fat (which is a medium chain fat that is easy to digest) helps your body process the milk sugars and the proteins. If you’ve been drinking skim milk, chances are that may be why it is a problem for you. Milk is also a problem because it is full of hormones and antibiotics. The hormones can cause your hormones to act in ways they shouldn’t, and the antibiotics can kill off your good digestive flora. I can give you 100 reasons not to drink milk anymore.

Gluten: Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, and so these foods should also be avoided. Most doctors believe that gluten intolerance and Celiac Disease are quite rare, but we’ve found that nearly anyone with digestive problems can benefit from following a very strict gluten free diet. It’s important to not just avoid the obvious sources, such as bread, pasta, and baked goods, but also check ingredient labels very carefully to make sure it’s not hidden as something such as “modified food starch” or other vague names. You’ll also want to make sure you’re careful of cross contact with foods containing gluten. While it’s hard to believe that a microscopic amount can cause problems, ask anyone who knows they are intolerant of gluten and they’ll tell you it’s quite possible. I had to actually buy all no cookware to truly live gluten free!

Sugar & Sugar Substitutes: Sugar substitutes are the worst thing for your poor stomach. Splenda, sucralose, sorbitol, aspartame, and the long list of other alternatives to cane sugar are all problematic in IBS. For some, cane sugar and cane juice are the best tolerated, though they can also cause problems. If you notice a sensitivity to sugar, you may want to be checked for fructose intolerance. When fructose is a problem, anything with high fructose corn syrup and even eating too much fruit can cause issues with gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.

Coffee: I wouldn’t go as far to say that all coffee is bad for IBS – but there is certainly a big difference in the types and quality of coffees! If I roast my own at home, I don’t have to worry much and can safely enjoy a cup or two. But order a cup of the stuff at a local restaurant and my stomach is in knots! I know people love coffee, and heck are probably even addicted to it – but if it causes you pain, is it really worth it?

Meat: Most experts will tell you an all vegetarian diet is better for IBS, but I tend to disagree. While I think a mostly vegetarian diet is certainly okay, there are some pretty important nutrients you can get from eating some animal protein. Again, what can make all the difference is the quality. If you eat beef, eat the lean grass fed beef. Chicken? Go for the free range (outside! not inside!) chickens that are hormone and antibiotic free. The taste difference is not only amazing, but these tend to be much gentler on the stomach. If beef or chicken cause you issues, you may be better off with pork and ham.

Soy: I want you to imagine drinking a bottle of vegetable oil or eating a cup full of vegetable shortening (ie: Crisco) – does that seem healthy or appealing to you? How do you think that would make your stomach feel? These are soy based products, and many foods hide a lot of soy in them, especially processed foods. Soy is one of the top 8 common allergens, and so it never hurts to try eliminating it from your diet to see if that helps at all or provides any relief.

The Wrong Fats: Our bodies need fat, despite all the health claims that fat is bad for you. The problem is people get the wrong fats – what we need is GOOD fat. That means no hydrogenated oils, no processed fats – just all natural fats, such as those in coconut milk or an avacado. You’ll also want to eat foods that are good sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids, such as raspberries, walnuts, and others.

These are just a few examples of what could be potentially a trigger food to avoid with IBS. While most of us can complain of the same symptoms and therefore share a similiar diet, it’s also important to realize triggers can be different for anyone – it depends greatly on your health history, other health problems, prior eating habits before developing IBS, and so much more. If you want to really know what YOUR individual triggers are, download our Diet Sheets for IBS which can help you make sense of everything.