If you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, then you probably already know that there are a lot of foods which have the potential to bother your stomach. Although you have probably become very accustomed to cooking for yourself at home, eating out with IBS can be a bit more difficult. Here, we will take a much closer look at some of the things that you should be sure to take into consideration when you choose to eat out at a restaurant or a fast food restaurant when you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
1. Avoid Foods Which are Overly Greasy
While greasy foods are never the best choice for anyone, foods which are overly greasy are known to cause people who have IBS to feel sick. If you have IBS, one of the first things that you will probably want to do is avoid eating greasy foods when you go out to eat. While there may be some instances in which you may be unsure about how greasy a food item on the menu is, it is just common sense that McDonald’s French fries are probably not the best option for someone who has Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Choosing something that is less greasy from the McDonald’s menu, such as a salad, is probably your best option if you are planning on getting fast food. Avoiding greasy foods is one of the best ways to control your IBS.
2. Avoid Foods Which are High in Acidity
If you have IBS, you have probably already learned that acidic foods may bother your stomach. If so, it is important to keep in mind that there are a lot of things that you may not be able to eat if you do not want to experience any symptoms related to your Irritable Bowel Syndrome. For example, pasta dishes with tomato sauce may not be the best option. Certain fruits should also be avoided. If you eat salads, it is important to keep in mind that certain dressings may be a lot more acidic than others. For example, Italian dressing or balsamic vinegar dressing are both known to be highly acidic. Ranch, French and Thousand Island dressings may be slightly less acidic, but you should monitor how you feel after eating them.
Foods which are much too spicy are really not your best options if you have IBS. For this very reason, Mexican cuisine should often be avoided, as there are often a lot of spices used. It is also a good idea to avoid spicy chicken meals, such as a Buffalo Chicken sandwich. While spicy foods may taste good, the truth in the matter is that you will be paying for them later on – and not just the amount of money that it cost to them into your face!
If you avoid all of these foods when eating out with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, it is likely that you will experience a lot less pain due to IBS related symptoms. Of course, the best way to monitor what does and doesn’t bother you is to keep a food diary. Record what you have eaten and how it made you feel later on. This should give you a good idea of what types of foods you should avoid in the future if you do not want to experience any type of pain due to IBS.
