It may seem harder to lose weight when you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

However, it is possible to lose weight with IBS.

Eat More Low-FODMAP Produce

Fruits and vegetables are filling, nutritious, and low in calories.

Dietary Tips to Lose Weight With IBS

Verywell / JR Bee

That’s where the low-FODMAP diet comes in.

Developed by researchers from Monash University in Australia, it includes vegetables and fruits lowest in FODMAPs.

Lean sources of protein include:

Gut florais the bacteria that naturally exist in your digestive tract.

Balanced gut flora plays a vital role in IBS and overall health.

Choose Healthy Fats

Fat is an essential nutrient the body needs to function.

It also adds flavor to food and increases satiety (the sense of fullness.)

Even so, it is essential to remember thatnot all fats are created equal.

Once your body clears out the glucose, it sends out the call for more.

Unfortunately, this prompts cravings for more highly refined carbohydrate foods.

To support weight loss and manage IBS symptoms, limit sugar and simple carbs.

These include pastries, bread, and processed foods.

Select IBS-Friendly Snacks

Snacking between meals can prevent hunger, halting overeating later on.

It’s also important to stay hydrated since dehydration can be mistaken for hunger.

2016 Jun 17;9:131-42. doi: 10.2147/CEG.S86798.

PMID: 27382323; PMCID: PMC4918736.

Monash University.Discover the Research Behind the Low FODMAP Diet.

Moon J, Koh G.Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms of High-Protein Diet-Induced Weight Loss.

Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Research.

2020;29:166-173.https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes20028

American Heart Association.Trans Fats.

American Heart Association.Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Monash University.High and Low FODMAP Foods.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture.20152020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

National Institutes of Health.Eating Highly Processed Foods Linked to Weight Gain.

2024 Jul;22(7):1497-1507.e5.

Epub 2024 Mar 21.

2024 Jun 19;10(3):e759.

PMID: 38903852; PMCID: PMC11187407.

2022 Apr 18;14(4):e24240.

PMID: 35602835; PMCID: PMC9116469.

2017;23(21):3771-3783. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i21.3771