How do you treat IBD with dietary modifications?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your query and can understand your concern.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that causes significant changes in bowel habits, leading to discomfort. While some individuals experience diarrhea, others may have constipation. In your uncle's case, he is dealing with diarrhea accompanied by cramps and abdominal pain.

Dietary Recommendations:

Do's:

1. Increase Fiber Intake: If he experiences constipation, consuming fiber can help soften stools and make them easier to pass. Focus on soluble fiber, such as oats and boiled or steamed fruits and vegetables.

2. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.

3. Regular Meals: Encourage him to eat regular meals, including breakfast daily, and to avoid skipping meals.

Don'ts:

1. Limit Caffeine: Reduce the intake of caffeinated beverages like tea, coffee, and cola.

2. Reduce High-Fat Foods: Limit consumption of chips, fast foods, burgers, sausages, and cakes.

3. Monitor Lactose: If he is lactose intolerant, he should decrease his intake of lactose-containing foods like milk and paneer.

4. Limit Alcohol: Alcohol should not be consumed daily, and when it is, keep it to a maximum of two units per day.

5. Control Insoluble Fiber: Limit intake from whole grain breads, bran, cereals, nuts, and seeds (except golden linseeds).

6. Reduce Resistant Starches: Avoid foods high in resistant starches, such as sweet corn, green bananas, and bran-containing muesli.

Note: IBS symptoms can vary from person to person, so it is crucial for your uncle to test foods individually to see how his body responds. Gradually, he can incorporate more foods based on his tolerance.

Low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) options:

Fruits to Include:

1. Blueberries.

2. Cantaloupe (1/2 cup).

3. Coconut (desiccated, 1/2 cup).

4. Grapes.

5. Honeydew melon (1/2 cup).

6. Kiwi (2 small).

7. Lemons and limes.

8. Mandarins.

9. Oranges.

10. Passion fruit.

11. Pineapple (1 cup).

12. Raspberries.

13. Strawberries.

14. Papaya.

15. Fresh dates.

Vegetables to Include:

1. Ladyfinger (Okra).

2. French beans.

3. Carrots.

4. Tomatoes.

5. Bottle gourd.

6. Ridge gourd.

7. Snake gourd.

8. Ivy gourd.

9. Pumpkin.

10. Drumstick.

11. Cucumbers.

12. Capsicum.

Spices: Use ginger, turmeric, cumin powder, coriander powder, mint leaves, and coriander leaves. Avoid green and red chilies, garlic, onion, and shallots.

High FODMAP fruits to avoid:

1. Apples.

2. Apricots.

3. Avocado.

4. Ripe bananas.

5. Blackberries.

6. Cherries.

7. Grapefruit.

8. Mango.

9. Nectarine.

10. Peaches.

11. Pears.

12. Plums.

13. Raisins.

14. Watermelon.

15. Dried figs and dates.

Foods to avoid:

Vegetables:

1. Beetroot.

2. Broccoli.

3. Brussels sprouts.

4. Corn.

5. Onions.

6. Peppers.

7. Potato skins.

8. Spinach.

9. Winter squash.

10. Spring onions.

Cereals:

1. Brown rice.

2. Wild rice.

3. Red rice.

4. Cereals containing nuts, dried fruit, or seeds.

5. Multi-grain bread or crackers.

6. Whole wheat bread.

7. Barley, bran, couscous, gnocchi, granola, muesli, muffins, rye, semolina, and wheat-based products.

Pulses:

1. Kidney beans.

2. Chickpeas.

3. Lima beans.

Nuts:

1. Cashews.

2. Pistachios.

Dairy:

1. Cow, goat, rice, sheep, and soy milk made with soybeans.

2. Dairy products like cream, custard, ice cream, sour cream, cream cheese, and ricotta cheese.

Drinks:

1. Apple juice.

2. Pear juice.

3. Mango juice.

4. Sodas with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

5. Strong herbal tea.

Sweeteners:

1. Agave.

2. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

3. Honey.

4. Inulin.

5. Isomalt.

6. Maltitol.

7. Mannitol.

8. Sorbitol.

9. Xylitol.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.