Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Food Triggers and Roles of Dietitian

NUH gastroenterologist, Dr Kewin Siah and dietitian, Grace Tan impart tips on how to manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) through diet and lifestyle change.

Certain foods can trigger IBS symptoms. But the specific food triggers can vary from person to person. Some common food triggers to avoid or take less of include:
• Caffeine or alcohol
• High-fat foods
• Dairy products
• Spicy foods

Not all people with IBS need to avoid gluten, as it is not a universally recognised trigger for IBS symptoms. However, some people with IBS may find that their symptoms are triggered by fructans
which are commonly found in gluten-containing foods, such as wheat, barley, and rye.

If you suspect that gluten is triggering your IBS symptoms, we recommend that you visit a doctor for a celiac test to rule out celiac disease. It is important to consult your dietitian before you start the gluten-free diet to ensure that it is nutritionally adequate.

FODMAP stands for Fermentable, Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols, which are types of carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the gut and can ferment, producing gas and other IBS symptoms. The low FODMAP diet is used to manage symptoms of IBS.

Do note that the low FODMAP diet should only be followed under the guidance of a dietitian and it’s not meant to be a long term diet.

Dr Kewin and Grace also explain why people with irritable bowel syndrome should be eating foods with high soluble fibre and they also share tips on how to consume it in the right way. Soluble fibre is a type of dietary fibre that dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance in the gut to promote healthy gastrointestinal function.

Your dietitian plays an important role in the management of your IBS by reviewing your dietary
habits, identifying potential food triggers and providing recommendations on diet modification.

Watch 7 ways to manage symptoms of IBS (Mandarin),    • 肠易激综合征：控制病状的7大方法  [7 ways to manage s...  
Watch Manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) through Diet & Lifestyle (English),    • Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IB...  

Learn more about the condition by visiting https://www.nuh.com.sg/Health-Informa...

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NUH is Singapore's major tertiary hospital and referral centre with over 50 medical, surgical and dental specialties. It is the only public hospital in Singapore to offer a comprehensive suite of specialist care for adults, women and children as well as paediatric kidney and liver transplant programme, in addition to kidney, liver and pancreas transplantations for adults.