There is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which means that only the symptoms of the condition can be influenced. Each person with IBS experiences symptoms specific to them and varying in severity. Approaches for treating IBS include the following:

  • Diet
  • Psychotherapy
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Medications
  • Probiotics
  • Physical activity

If you are experiencing symptoms and think they may be triggered by certain foods, start by consulting your doctor or nutrition specialist. They will first provide general advice for your diet and lifestyle. Keeping a food and symptom journal can help you to identify the links between your diet and the symptoms.

General tips for managing IBS symptoms

In addition to certain foods that can trigger IBS symptoms, there are some general tips and habits that can help to keep symptoms from occurring and that are good for your health in general:

  • Eat regular meals: Observe regular meal times, avoid missing meals and try to eat in a relaxed and quiet environment.
  • Eat small portions: Break meals into a number of small portions rather than three main meals.
  • Limit alcohol and caffeine: Consume alcohol and caffeine in moderation.
  • Drink enough fluid: You need around 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid a day. Avoid carbonated or caffeinated beverages, as these can exacerbate symptoms.
  • Avoid sorbitol:
     Sorbitol and other polyol sweeteners commonly used in soft drinks and sugarless chewing gum can trigger symptoms of IBS.
  • Eat high-fat foods in moderation: High-fat foods such as deep-fried foods, sausage or heavy cream should be eaten in moderation.
  • Preparing food: Choose food preparation methods that are as clean as possible, such as steaming or foil pouch cooking.
  • Get enough exercise: For many people with irritable bowel syndrome, taking a daily walk is enough to relieve symptoms. Exercise can also help reduce stress and anxiety, which can also exacerbate IBS.
  • Be consistent: When embarking on a new diet, you should proceed slowly, allowing your gut enough time to adapt to the new situation. 

Special diets for people with irritable bowel syndrome

If adjusting your diet and lifestyle do not provide any relief for the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, a special diet may be helpful for managing IBS. However, before you make any sweeping changes to your diet, you should consult your doctor or a nutritionist.

Low FODMAP diet

FODMAP is an acronym for fermentable oligosaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, which are short-chain carbohydrates such as fructose, lactose and sorbitol.

For individuals with IBS, a low FODMAP diet can be a good way to identify the reasons for the irritable bowel syndrome. Completely eliminating FODMAPs from the diet and then reintroducing them slowly and one by one can enable a person with IBS to identify which foods tend to cause pain and discomfort.

Foods that can trigger symptoms of IBS

Foods that you should avoid to prevent symptoms of IBS include foods known to cause bloating, such as beans, legumes, cauliflower and sprouts. Apples, pears and dried fruit also have a high fructose content and can trigger symptoms of IBS.

Milk and dairy products can also trigger symptoms, with half of all adults lactose intolerant. This means that they do not produce large amounts of lactase, an enzyme that splits the lactose. The lactose is not absorbed in the small intestine, leading to fermentation and bloating in the large intestine, which causes the symptoms of IBS.

Other potential trigger foods include wheat, onions, garlic, mushrooms, honey and sweeteners such as sorbitol.

Foods that are more suitable for managing IBS

Meat, poultry, eggs and fish are suitable for people with IBS, as are kiwi, pineapple, mandarin oranges, oranges and cantaloupe, aubergine, carrots, cucumber, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce and potatoes. The latter are low FODMAP vegetables and fruits. Wheat, rye and barley are gluten-containing cereals with a high FODMAP content. Oats, millet, maize, quinoa, buckwheat and linseed are tolerated well by people with IBS.

Gluten-free diet

Depending on their make-up, gluten-free foods may also be low FODMAP foods and thus suitable for people with IBS. However, since not all gluten-free products are low FODMAP, we recommend using only gluten-free products that are also certified low FODMAP foods. A list of certified low FODMAP Schär products can be found here.

Low-fibre or high-fibre diet

It may also be advisable to increase the amount of fibre in your diet. However, you should do this step by step and increase your fluid intake at the same time. Good sources of fibre include oat groat fibre, which adds bulk to the stool   and contributes to normal bowel function. Foods such as baked goods with fibre from oat groats should have at least 6 grams of fibre per 100 grams or 3 grams of fibre per 100 kcal.

Other interesting articles

What is a low FODMAP diet?

The low FODMAP diet is a diet for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). With this diet, you eat only foods low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs).

Schär's low FODMAP products

FODMAP is an acronym for fermentable oligosaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, which are short-chain carbohydrates such as fructose, lactose and sorbitol.
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