How do I know which foods trigger me?

Typically, your stomach will talk to you quickly. Many people are concerned with poop, but it takes 1-3 days for food you’re currently eating to find its way into the toilet. Gas, bloating, and abdominal pains hit you a lot quicker. Awareness is key when eating your meals because not only do you get to savor your food, but you can start to find culprits in your diet. When I’m suspicious of an ingredient, like cashews, I’ll try to find time to snack on just cashews so I can see how I feel afterwards. Suspicious of broccoli? Steam up a little this weekend and eat it on its own. Start to sub out the ingredients you are suspicious of and be aware of any changes you feel within your body. Keeping a food journal on your phone is a great way to keep track of the foods that cause you the most problems.

What I do: Broccoli tears my stomach up within 30 minutes of eating it. I feel very bloated and it gives me gas for hours on end. Dairy does this to me as well. I know that if I’m at a steakhouse on a date, instead of broccoli I’ll get greenbeans and sub the mashed potatoes with french fries.

Our How to Bottom with IBS video has great tips to hone in on trigger foods: