Do you suffer from the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Is diarrhea, cramping, bloating and gas causing you a great deal of misery? If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you might suffer from these symptoms on a daily basis. Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms can cause a great deal of anxiety; the good news is that the proper diet can help significantly when it comes to controlling the symptoms of IBS.
The gut harbors trillions of fungi and bacterial cells naturally. Usually, there is a balance of healthy bacteria in the stomach, which helps to keep unhealthy microbes under control. However, certain foods can contribute to an imbalance of microbes in the gut. This can result in an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the digestive system, which can lead to symptoms of IBS.
So, the first step in eliminating IBS symptoms is to change the environment of the gut. The gut environment is what has caused an imbalance in the first place. So, you must restore the stomach to its healthy state. One way to help that process along is by following an IBS diet. An IBS diet will help nourish your body by starving off unhealthy bacteria in the gut.
Foods to Avoid
You can start to balance your gut microbiota by starving off and flushing out harmful bacteria that reside in the gut. To do this, you’ll want to avoid certain foods that are hard for your body to digest. You don’t need to avoid these foods forever — just until your gut has established an equilibrium. After your digestive system is balanced, then you can start introducing these foods back into your diet. Here are the foods to initially avoid:
- Starches – All grains and starches, including those deemed to be gluten-free, should be avoided at first.
- Sugars -Stay away from sugars, including fruit juices initially.
- Dairy – Homemade kefir is okay. Otherwise, avoid dairy products.
- FODMAP foods – These foods contain certain carbs that can cause digestive issues. Examples include wheat, onion, garlic, asparagus, brussel sprouts.
- GMO foods – Stay away from genetically modified foods, such as aspartame and soy.
- Nightshade fruits and vegetables – These foods belong to the family of Solanaceae plants. Examples include bell peppers, tomatoes and eggplants.
For the complete list of foods to avoid, check out our helpful ebook.
Foods To Eat
So, what foods can you eat then? You’ll want to eat clean, organic meats and vegetables like organic chicken, eggs and low FODMAP foods. These are easier for the body to digest and will help eliminate pathogens while keeping your nourished. Here are some other things to do:
- Drink plenty of water – Water helps flush out the toxins from your body.
- Try activated charcoal – This can help your body flush out toxins, as well.
Restore
After you have flushed out your gut, you’ll want to work on restoring your gut microbiome. In this stage, you will optimize your body with the proper nutrients. A restorative diet will help you do just that.
We have developed a meal plan that includes daily examples of meals to help restore your body to its natural state. For examples of meals and a handy shopping list to go along with it, checkout the Restore 3 Program ebook here. It has everything that you need to follow an IBS diet.
You might need to try several different things to get relief from IBS. 
Do you ever have extreme stomach pain? Feel like there are days when you can’t get off the toilet? Maybe you feel so exhausted from the constant pain and bloating that you’re exhausted at the end of the day. If so, then you could have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
If you had symptoms of IBS, the first thing that you should do is visit your doctor. Before your appointment, it might be helpful to keep an IBS symptoms journal. This record can help your doctor diagnose irritable bowel syndrome. It can also help your doctor identify your triggers.
Acupuncture has been proven effective for treating chronic pain. Acupuncture is a popular therapy for IBS, and many patients get relief with acupuncture. Several 
