What Diet Works Best For Your IBS?

We all ask the big question: what diet is best for IBS?  And from my personal experience, I say: the individualized diet that works best is best for you.

Tailoring your diet to you

Now, I will preface by stating that yes, the diet that works best for you is, certainly, individualized. However, always use common sense. If you believe that drinking sugary soda on a daily basis is helpful for your IBS, I’m here to say it is not. And hopefully, you can understand why. In this example, high fructose corn syrup is always detrimental to gut health and should be avoided. Processed sugar should be digested on a very limited basis.

Overall, eating non-processed foods and organic when possible is going to be your best route. Overly processed foods like fast foods, chips, sodas, candy, and microwavable food should generally always be avoided, with only slight exceptions.

In general, avoid processed foods

Once you step into the realm of the non-processed food world, I think it is here that you should tailor your diet to what works for you. For example, avocados are incredibly healthy for you. They are a great food to eat but for me they cause symptoms if I eat a large serving. And it frustrates me, as avocados are packed with nutrients. But I can only have them in combination with other food and a small amount. If I eat avocado solo, I will get symptomatic.

Often, raw veggies trigger flares

Another example is raw vegetables. Some raw vegetables like carrots for example, I find can cause symptoms, so I stay away from them. Nothing wrong with carrots, it just doesn’t work for me.  Also, cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli I eat in very small amounts. Overall, I only eat vegetables that are cooked or steamed while I know others with IBS have no problem eating raw vegetables.

Finding your balance

It is just important to find your balance. Eat nutritiously and find the foods that work best for you that don’t cause symptoms. Sometimes you find that you will get shamed for avoiding a nutritious food, like avocado, simply because it is a healthy food. But you know it makes your stomach hurt so ignore the naysayers.  And remember that just because a food is organic and non-processed doesn’t mean it won’t cause you symptoms.

What is working for me - at this moment

At the moment, the diet that works for me consists of organic protein such as grass-fed beef, organic chicken and fish. The more fish I have, the better I feel. Along with greens such as spinach or butter lettuce. I find that other leafy greens like romaine lettuce make my stomach hurt so I avoid them.

I do eat diary but at a minimum. I have whole milk but from grass-fed cows and the same with yogurt. Fruit like strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, and oranges I eat often. Nuts like pistachios and walnuts sit well with me. And I love Yukon gold potatoes and sweet potatoes. Sauerkraut is a great source of probiotics along with kimchi which I also incorporate in my diet.

If I make a salad, I always make homemade dressing to avoid any additives. I stay away from soda, alcohol and really anything processed.

Of course, I always make exceptions as I am human, but for the most part I eat fresh food and cook at home. That is when I feel my best. When I eat out, I order smart and try to stick with a protein, salad and vegetable option.

How about you?  Do you agree that the best diet is one that is individualized?  Have you had any success with a particular diet?  If so, share below, we love to hear from you.