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).

Although simply avoiding the temptation of cheeseburgers, ice cream, and other IBS-trigger foods seems like a no-brainer, people with IBS sometimes get lulled into the magic of a party or an evening out at your family's favorite restaurant and feel like the stomach gods simply won’t let them have an attack. But the stress and excitement can also put your body on high alert, actually making you more susceptible to an attack.

For IBS sufferers, many ethnic foods can be tricky. Most Mexican restaurants start you out with chips and salsa; the chips are usually corn, which is likely safe, and you may be able to handle mild salsa, but pass on the hot salsa and people who challenge you to a chili pepper eating contest! Many dishes come with or actually incorporate tortillas, which are generally corn or flour (which means wheat) — make sure you get the corn variety if you have wheat sensitivities.

Going out to eat doesn’t have to be a source of torture if you have IBS, although it can be. People with IBS have to have creative solutions to their dining dilemmas. You may be surprised to find you have more options than you thought for dining out with IBS. Just remember that in general your basic foods to avoid are those that include dairy, wheat, and sugar.

Finding IBS-friendly substitutions for favorite foods that trigger your symptoms is often a high priority when you’re eating with IBS. Never fear: The following list helps you substitute some of the most common IBS triggers with alternatives that are less likely to cause your symptoms to flare: Milk: Substit

Checking ingredient lists on food labels for everything you buy and eat is crucial to controlling IBS; the label can help identify possible IBS trigger foods. Look for simple ingredient lists — the fewer ingredients, the better. Keep an eye out for the items on the following list that may trigger your IBS. Be especially careful of ingredients that appear in brackets; they usually contain sub-ingredients that you want to examine, too.