Managing Irritable Bowel?

[Guest guest]

Managing Irritable Bowel?

I suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). How can The South Beach DietT help

improve this condition? - P., Athens, OH

Eating in accordance with The South Beach DietT principles may help you

eliminate some - but not all - of the foods known to trigger painful IBS

attacks. IBS is a common condition characterized by bloating, abdominal

discomfort, and bouts of chronic diarrhea and/or constipation. While no

particular eating plan has proven completely effective for preventing or

treating IBS, certain foods seem to aggravate symptoms. Some of the most common

irritants to avoid are high-fat and fried foods; caffeine; alcohol;

gas-producing foods, like beans and cabbage; and foods containing sugar

alcohols. If you're following The South Beach DietT lifestyle, you've already

stopped eating high-fat and fried foods and moderated your intake of caffeine

and alcohol. As for other foods that may set off IBS (because the disease is

highly variable among individuals), you may need to practice trial and error

with your food choices. Also consult with your physician. He or she can help you

narrow down the items that worsen your symptoms so that you can eliminate them.

In more severe cases, your doctor may even recommend medication.

[Guest guest]

I have IBS and when I'm doing SBD exactly as I'm supposed to, I have

no IBS symptoms (except some that are stress-induced.) I feel SO much

better when I stick to SBD. I've never taken medication because I

knew that most of my flare-ups were related to poor eating. If I go

off-plan, my body lets me know!

ie