Those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome know that its symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation. What they may not know is that they can help control symptoms and possibly lengthen periods without symptoms by carefully managing their diet. One smart solution is to include soup in their diet but it should be chosen wisely, avoiding those that are high in fat or other potentially harmful ingredients.
Low-fat soup
In irritable bowel syndrome, the gastrointestinal system overreacts to food ingredients. Because of this, it is important to limit fat intake as it stimulates intestinal activity. This is why experts stress that for a meat soup, for example, the right choice of low-fat meat and the removal of visible fat before cooking should be made. Recipes with cream or butter should be avoided and it is useful to choose low-fat or fat-free products.
Fiber and soup
Experts at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center report that most people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome benefit from increasing their fiber intake, with 20 to 35 grams per day being the optimal amount. Adding high-fibre vegetables to soup can help achieve this goal. Vegetables should ideally be well cooked to make them more digestible. The addition of leafy vegetables such as spinach or kale, carrots, celery is desirable as long as they are cooked very well first to soften them.
Broth-rich soups
Drinking plenty of fluids-at least 8 cups per day-is an important part of a good diet that can help with intake or symptom relief. Chicken, beef or low-fat vegetable broth or vegetable soup can help achieve the goal. For more variety, the additions of whole grain pasta or brown rice are quite beneficial. However, special attention should be paid to strong seasonings or broths with garlic as they can cause symptoms.
Other recommendations
Experts recommend eating frequent meals, aiming for four or five meals a day. Choosing one or two cups of soup as one of these meals is a healthy choice. In fact, once this addition to the diet is made, it should be done gradually since the foods that cause symptoms can vary greatly from person to person.
In any case, those who experience irritable bowel syndrome are advised to consult their gastroenterologist to design a more targeted dietary plan.
Source: ygeiamou.gr
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