Dr. Richard MacDermott is head of the division of gastroenterology at Albany Medical College in New York. He has specialized in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for 30 years and has an impressive resume.

Here are his dietary recommendations for people with IBS. My favorites are in italics.

Better tolerated foods and beverages include water, rice, plain pasta or noodles, baked or broiled potatoes, white breads, plain fish, chicken, turkey, ham, eggs, dry cereals, soy or rice based products, peas, applesauce, cantaloupe, watermelon, fruit cocktail, margarine, jams, jellies, and peanut butter.

Foods and beverages that can induce symptoms include milk and milk-containing products, caffeine-containing products, alcoholic beverages, fruits, fruit juices, spices, seasonings, diet beverages, diet foods, diet candies, diet gum, fast foods, condiments, fried foods, fatty foods, multigrain breads, sourdough breads, bagels, salads, salad dressings, vegetables, beans, red meats, gravies, spaghetti sauce, stews, nuts, popcorn, high fiber, and cookies, crackers, pretzels, cakes, and pies.

This is why diets are so difficult to maintain.

3/24/07 21:23 JR