Feeling Irritable?

Do you suffer from symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome? 

Wind, pain, bloating, diarrhoea and or constipation? You may have a food intolerance! Recent research has revealed that the majority of people with irritable bowel symptoms can be helped with a change to their diet. Irritable bowel and food intolerance can also be present in other gut disorders such as coeliac disease, crohns disease or colitis.

Possible Dietary Triggers:

A variety of foods have been identified as possible triggers in people with irritable bowel symptoms. They can include:

• Fatty foods
• Alcohol                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Caffeine                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Fermentable sugars (FODMAP- Fructose, Lactose, Fructans, Galactans (eg Raffinose) and Polyols)
• Excess Fibre
• Some natural and added food chemicals.

Dietary exclusions

A dietitian can work with you to determine if there are any dietary triggers for your symptoms. Your dietitian will help you to exclude certain foods in a systematic way to determine which triggers are the most likely to be a problem for your individual situation and make sure your diet remains balanced. You may be asked to exclude a group of foods eg. FODMAP, or fatty foods or to trial an elimination diet then reintroduce one type of food at a time. You will be asked to keep a careful food and symptom diary in this time.

NPA have a number of dietitians with expertise in treating clients with gastrointestinal symptoms. For an appointment with one of our Accredited Practising Dietitians, phone 1300 227 100.