L. Christine Wheeler

When you have IBS, sometimes you flare and sometimes you’re flying. Whatever end of the spectrum you’re on, the last thing you want to do is make your IBS worse. Following are a list of the top foods you may have heard that people with IBS steer clear of if they want the closest thing to a happy-stomach guarantee.

You've probably been told that coffee, strong tea, sodas, and alcohol aren't so great for IBS, but they aren't the only drinks in the world. A smoothie is defined as a blended fruit drink, but it can be so much more. A smoothie meets the needs of people who are in a rush, and in the case of IBS, it's a concentrated food source in only a few ounces.

Living with irritable bowel syndrome doesn't mean boring foods! Try these quick and easy IBS-friendly recipes for breakfast and snacks. An IBS diet can be full of flavorful and varied foods that are good for your health.Banana Nut BreadBanana bread is such a comfort food, and you can enjoy it even with your IBS restrictions.

Even those with IBS have to eat to survive, even when the only available food may result in a trip to the bathroom or a bout of cramps and gas. Here are some tips to increase the odds of you eating a decent meal even under less-than-ideal circumstances.Cook your fruits and vegetables.In the raw state, fruits and veggies are packed with insoluble fiber, which can be agitating if you tend towards IBS-D (but you may need it if you have IBS-C).

You can enjoy this high protein kick-off to the day with any herbs you find tasty and healthy. For a generally nutritious scramble, try parsley, but it's also delicious with chives, dill, basil, or cilantro. Blanching the herbs for one minute keeps them bright green if that's important to you. Credit: ©robynmac 2009 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes Yield: 4 servings 1 bunch parsley, finely chopped 8 eggs 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat.

This dairy-free yogurt replacement from Shannon Leone at Raw Mom is a healthy and Raw alternative for people who are lactose-intolerant or allergic to casein, or just want a change of pace. Serve it with fresh fruit that fits for you, or try it with IBS-friendly porridge or cereals. Soaking time: 1 hour Preparation time: 5 minutes Cook time: None Yield: 4 servings 2 cups raw cashews Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/2 cup) 3 tablespoons agave or raw honey 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Pinch of sea salt Soak the cashews in water for 1 hour and rinse.

Tuna salad is an old standard that many people with IBS miss because they can't find a replacement for the mayo. Michelle Gay found a way to make this a friendly, high-protein snack for those with IBS. Credit: © Karimala, 2008 Preparation time: 5 minutes Cook time: 8 minutes Yield: 1 serving 1 hardboiled egg, diced small 1/4 of an avocado 2 to 3 tablespoons of any plain yogurt 1 teaspoon curry powder (optional) One 5-ounce can of tuna in water, drained 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper, or to taste Place the egg and avocado in a small bowl.

The raw onions and peppers in this dish may be setting off your IBS alarm, and if these foods have been a problem for you in the past, you're right to shy away. But if these ingredients don't specifically trigger you, consider the following: This recipe was created by a young gentleman who suffered ulcerative colitis from age 17 until he found his cure in the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which allows vegetables and some spices while outlawing grains, lactose, and sucrose.

Banana bread is such a comfort food - and you can enjoy it even with your IBS restrictions. This recipe is grain-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free, but it tastes authentic and so delicious. Enjoy a slice warm from the toaster on its own or with a little butter. Credit: ©WebSubstance 2007 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes Yield: Eight 1-slice servings 2 cups finely ground almond flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup honey 1 large ripe banana, mashed 3 large eggs Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and line a greased 9-x-5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.