The Worst Trigger Foods for IBS

Greasy Food

The gastrocolic reflex is your body's natural response to have a bowel movement soon after eating. Food with a high fat content can increase the strength of these intestinal contractions.

If you have a sensitive digestive system, you should avoid fatty meats and fried food. For example:

• Pizza
• Sausage
• French fries
• Fried chicken or fish 
• Foods with heavy or creamy gravy
• Steaks and burgers (red meat)

Dairy Products

Many people suffer from a condition known as lactose intolerance, where they can't digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. Lactose intolerance can lead to digestive symptoms like bloating, cramping, and diarrhea.

Common dairy products include:

• Milk
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Ice cream

You may find that you can enjoy some cheeses that have low lactose levels. These include Brie, Camembert, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Some people are also able to enjoy lactose-free milk products.

High-FODMAP Fruits

Researchers at Monash University in Australia have tested various fruits for their FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) content. These short-chained carbohydrates include fructose, a sugar in fruit that some people have difficulty absorbing.

Foods higher in FODMAPs may cause problems for people who have IBS. That's because they contain types of sugars that are not absorbed well by the small intestine. For example, the following fruits are high in FODMAPs:

• Apples
• Apricots
• Blackberries
• Cherries
• Grapefruit
• Mango
• Pears
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Plums and prunes
• Pomegranates
• Watermelon

Fortunately, some fruits are low-FODMAP foods.

High-FODMAP Vegetables

Like fruits, vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. However, some vegetables are also high in FODMAPs. Therefore, they may contribute to your IBS symptoms:

• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Beets
• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Garlic
• Leeks
• Mushrooms
• Okra
• Onions
• Peas
• Scallions (white parts)
• Shallots
• Snow peas
• Sugar snap peas

Don't avoid vegetables altogether, though. Vegetables are essential for your overall health and the health of your gut bacteria. 

Wheat

Although a diet high in fiber is important for overall health, certain high-fiber foods may cause problems for some people.

People with celiac disease cannot eat a protein called gluten. This protein is found in some whole grains like wheat, rye, and barley. It causes the body's immune system to attack the small intestine, which can damage the gut and lead to serious health problems.

Gluten-containing foods include many popular items like pasta, bread, and baked goods. Fortunately, gluten-free options are fairly easy to find.

Beans and Legumes

You have probably learned the hard way that beans and IBS do not play nicely together. This is because beans and legumes contain carbohydrates that are poorly digested. Thus they are available for gut bacteria to feed on, which often results in intestinal gas.

These foods may be likely to produce gas:

• Baked beans
• Black-eyed peas
• Butter beans
• Chickpeas
• Lentils
• Kidney beans
• Lima beans
• Soybeans
• Split peas

Spicy Foods

Chili peppers are a common ingredient in spicy foods. They are usually the culprit that sets your mouth aflame.

A 2008 study found that people with IBS have a greater number of pain sensors that react to a substance in chili peppers. More recent studies confirm that spicy food may contribute to the abdominal pain seen in people with IBS.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners, typically those ending in "-ol" are found in many sugar-free and diet foods. They are often poorly tolerated and may produce gas and bloating.

Be sure to read the labels of the following products carefully:

• Sugar-free gum
• Sugar substitute packets
• Sugar-free ice cream
  

Soda

Although you may love your soda, it may not love you. Carbonated (fizzy) drinks can contribute to problems with intestinal gas and bloating.

The high amount of sugar in regular soda may add to an imbalance in your gut bacteria. This can lead to further gas. Diet soda is no better—your gut may react negatively to artificial sweeteners.

Alcohol

Don't overlook what you are drinking when you consider IBS triggers. For example, alcohol has a longstanding reputation as being a GI irritant.

Rum, in particular, is high in FODMAPs. So are many mixers.

This doesn't mean you can't occasionally enjoy a drink. However, probably your safest bet is to stick to a small amount of red wine.

Coffee and Other Drinks with Caffeine

It may be hard to live without your morning cup of coffee. But caffeine is known to be an IBS trigger for some people.

If you are used to having caffeine, you are likely to have some caffeine withdrawal for the first few days after you give up coffee. Even so, it may be worth trying it to see if your IBS symptoms improve.

Big Meals

It's not just what you eat, but also how much. Avoiding large meals can be part of your strategy to eliminate triggers. Graze throughout the day or have smaller meals instead.

Summary

IBS is a condition that results in abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. Often, certain foods trigger IBS attacks.

Learning which foods trigger your attacks can help you manage your IBS. For example, you may find that keeping a food diary helps you pinpoint which foods make you feel bad.

Foods that are high in FODMAPs contain types of sugars that are poorly absorbed by the small intestine. These are found in certain grains, fruits, and vegetables.

In addition, large meals, alcohol, caffeine, gassy foods, and spicy foods are common IBS culprits.

A Word From Verywell

Living with IBS can make mealtime frustratingly complicated. But finding and avoiding the trigger foods in your diet is worth the effort if it helps relieve your symptoms and reduce IBS attacks.

Remember, though, that eating a balanced diet is also critical for your overall health. Don't eliminate entire food categories, such as vegetables. Find the ones that work best for you so you can ensure good nutrition.