A healthy and diverse diet can be vital for the majority of people. However, some of us might not be able to have certain foods because of various conditions, most notable irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. There can be a large number of reasons for this, with the most notable being that they could set off many of the condition’s symptoms. Despite this, many people may not know what to avoid with an IBS diet.

While the majority of sufferers will know whether or not they can have low FODMAP foods, as well as in what quantities, many others might not. As such, they can often have a variety of reactions to foods without knowing what set them off. There are a few specific foods that the majority of IBS sufferers should avoid, including the following:

1. Gluten and wheat
Quite a significant number of people may not realize that there can be a large amount of overlap between IBS and gluten intolerance. This is primarily because a considerable number of people with IBS can often be gluten intolerant, which is why it’s best left avoided. While there are a variety of foods that include this, one of the most common is wheat, as well as both barley and rye. These can often make many of your IBS symptoms worse, which is why they’re left avoided. The primary reason for this is that the foods can often cause symptoms of diarrhea-predominant IBS. Naturally, the majority of people will want to avoid this, which is why the majority of gluten and wheat-based foods are best avoided.

2. Dairy
Dairy can cause problems for IBS sufferers for two main reasons. The first of these is that it can often be high in fat, which can have a significant impact on diarrhea. Alongside this, many people who suffer from the condition may be lactose intolerant, which can present a variety of other issues. As a result, you may need to either cut out dairy completely or switch to non-fat or low-fat products, which will only be possible if you’re not lactose intolerant.

3. Fried foods
Fried foods can be a staple in the majority of peoples’ diets, although this can be harmful to many people with IBS. The primary reason for this is that they can have quite a high fat content, which many sufferers will want to avoid. While you might not need to cut this out completely, you will have to minimize your intake.

4. Beans and legumes
Beans and other legumes can often be a high-quality source of protein. However, they can usually set off a variety of IBS symptoms, with this being seen in a few notable ways. Perhaps the most significant of these is that they can cause bloating, cramps, and gas. Alongside this, they can increase the bulk in stool, which can have quite a notable impact on constipation. As a result, they’re often best left avoided or only eaten in relatively small doses.

By avoiding each of the above, you should be able to take advantage of a high-quality IBS diet. When determining which foods you should and shouldn’t be avoided, you should do so in conjunction with a medical professional or dietician. This should ensure that you’re able to create a high-quality diet that doesn’t have a negative impact on your irritable bowel syndrome. While this may be somewhat limiting, it doesn’t have to be as restrictive as you may believe. As such, consulting with a professional can be highly recommended.