Are you one of the millions who suffer with Irritable Bowel Syndrome? If so you must know that your diet plays a critical part in flare ups of this condition so what you want to learn is the proper way to eat, the things you should avoid, basically you need an irritable bowel syndrome diet.
Here is a list of foods you may want to avoid as they have become known as triggers for IBS.
Some such as broccoli and cabbage you will want to re-introduce once you have the situation under control.

1. Coffee or any caffeinated beverages
2. Alcohol
3. Fried foods
4. Artificial anything, flavorings,sweeteners etc.
   
5. Red meat
6. Dairy products
7. Gas causing foods such as beans,broccoli, and cabbage.
   

You also might want to try eating more frequent meals that are smaller than the common 3 meals per day as this can help ease your IBS flare ups.
Another tip is to try eating a low-fat diet.
What makes it difficult for many to settle on an irritable bowel syndrome diet is that it isn't only one food that triggers the symptoms.
It is actually ANY food or drink that is high in fat, caffeine, carbonation, alcohol or insoluble fiber.
The reason for this is that all of these types of food and drink are known gastrointestinal irritants or stimulants.
They directly affect the muscles in your colon and usually lead to constipation, pain, diarrhea, gas and bloating.
So what foods should be included in your irritable bowel syndrome diet?

1. Soluble Fiber - from sources such as Oatmeal,Sourdough bread, brown rice, pasta, prunes, raisins, and rice cereals for some examples
2. Water - drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily to flush toxins from your body as well as keep your body hydrated which helps it to assimilate your foods easier
3. Yogurt - yogurt contains probiotics which help to maintain the proper balance of good and bad bacteria in our intestines
4. Vegetables - carrots, potatoes and sweet potatoes, yam
5. Seafood
6. Skinless Chicken
7. Peppermint - Peppermint is a natural anti-spasmodic that relaxes smooth muscles in the intestines
8. Barley
9. Oat Bran

An irritable bowel syndrome diet needs to be low-fat but NOT fat-free.
Soluble fiber should ALWAYS be the first thing you eat on an empty stomach, and it should form the basis of EVERY snack and meal.
Your goal is to keep your colon consistently stabilized by providing it with a regular supply of soluble fiber.
So now you should have a good understanding of how to eat and drink as well as what to eat and drink to avoid triggering irritable bowel syndrome.
Follow these ideas and you will be able to live a normal life again away from the bathroom.