Sensible Eating For Irritable Bowel Syndrome Sufferers

In order to determine the role of your diet in your irritable bowel syndrome it is advised to keep a diary. Keep a food, fluid and symptoms diary to help observe the role of diet and other factors such as stress in symptoms. Check your diet against the general guidelines for a healthy diet (see other sections of this website). Maintain a high fibre diet, provided this is tolerated. Start with the basics of 3 low fat, high fibre meals and 2 -3 snacks per day. Maintain an adequate fluid intake, avoiding excessive intake of fizzy drinks and caffeine. Eat slowly and make meal times as relaxing as possible. If you are excluding foods, eliminate one food at a time, and record the results. Once symptoms have settled reintroduce the foods to maintain variety. Consider consulting a dietitian for individual advice regarding your diet and any modifications.

A typical meal plan for IBS sufferers

This meal plan provides 25 - 30 g of fibre from a variety of sources and 30 - 35 g of fat depending on the quantity of added margarine, oil and fat content of dairy foods.

Breakfast - a bowl of high fibre cereal such as untoasted muesli, weetbix or porridge with fresh or tinned fruit and reduced fat milk or a calcium fortified soy milk and/ or wholemeal or grain toast with minimal margarine and honey or vegemite. Tea.

Lunch - sandwiches made with wholemeal bread with low fat cheese, lean beef, tinned fish and salad. Tinned or fresh fruit with low fat yoghurt. Water, tea or diluted juice.

Main Meal - water, lean grilled chicken with lemon juice and pepper. Served with salad, boiled new potatoes and wholemeal bread.

Snacks spread throughout the day - fresh fruit, low fat yoghurt, crackers with cheese, or wholemeal crumpets with honey. Water, tea or diluted juice.

Cookbooks which are suitable for IBS sufferers

'Find out about fibre' by Rosemary Stanton, Allen and Unwin.

'Good Gut Cookbook' by Rosemary Stanton, 2nd ed Harper Health

'Friendly Foods' by Swain, A, Soutter and Loblay, R.H, Murdoch Books.

* by Caroline Salisbury, www.gastro.net.au/diets/irritablebowel.html