IBS is a common gastrointestinal disorder that majorly affects the digestive system. Patients experience various discomforting symptoms like cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. When a person has IBS, the kind of food they eat makes all the difference in managing or worsening the symptoms. Also, it becomes important to understand which foods trigger the symptoms. So, here’s a list of common trigger foods to avoid for managing:

• Caffeinated drinks: Drinking a hot cup of coffee and tea is a morning ritual for some, but IBS patients should stay away from caffeinated beverages. The caffeine content in the beverage acts as a stomach irritant and leads to diarrhea, so it’s advisable to switch to caffeine-free alternatives like herbal teas.
• Foods with gluten: One of the most important foods to avoid for managing IBS symptoms, gluten is a protein naturally present in grains like wheat, rye, and barley. It is known to trigger the symptoms of IBS. Studies have proven the benefits of following a gluten-free diet for IBS patients, so it’s better to opt for nutritious gluten-free alternatives like oats, quinoa, buckwheat, almond flour, and coconut flour.
• Fried foods: The fat content in fried foods like fries, chips, and deep-fried meat can go really hard on the digestive system of IBS patients. The difficulty in digestion leads to various digestive abnormalities, which makes baked or grilled foods much better options.
• Alcohol: Alcohol is a common trigger of IBS symptoms. Drinks like beer contain gluten, whereas wine and other cocktails contain high amounts of sugar. To prevent any complications, IBS patients should avoid alcohol and any foods that contain alcohol. Instead, one can opt for drinks prepared without added sugar or gluten.
• Dairy: Many IBS patients complain that dairy products sometimes trigger their symptoms. If milk has been causing problems for an IBS patient, they can opt for dairy-free alternatives like soy milk or almond milk. Those who wish to completely cut out dairy should consume other calcium-rich foods like greens, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish like sardines.
• Cruciferous veggies: Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli are nutrient-dense, but they are also some of the foods to avoid for managing IBS. These are not properly broken down during digestion and usually cause bloating and gas. Instead, IBS patients can consume other vegetables like eggplants, cucumber, carrots, potatoes, and spinach as they are easy to digest.
• Chocolates: When it comes to foods to avoid for managing IBS, chocolates are on the top of the list. Chocolates are packed with fats and sugars and also contain lactose and caffeine. For chocolate lovers, the craving can be curbed with vegan options as they are generally more tolerable for the stomach.

The food triggers can be different for every IBS patient, so one should keep track of the foods they eat. This can help them identify what exactly causes the symptoms and avoid the consumption of those particular foods.