Foods to Eat or Avoid

There is no set diet for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). However, your doctor may recommend certain IBS-C-friendly eating habits. This can involve eating high fiber foods, such as beans and whole grains, and limiting trigger foods.



IBS-C is an IBS subtype that mainly causes dry, infrequent, or hard-to-pass stools.

Doctors may recommend dietary approaches alongside medical treatment to improve irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

Read on to learn more about the best diet for managing IBS-C, including foods to include or limit.

While there are no set or official diets for IBS-C, experts suggest the following approaches may help you manage your condition.

Try to keep a record of what you eat and your symptoms in a diary or app. This can help you spot patterns in your symptoms and possible trigger foods.

Also, consider sharing this information with your doctor or a registered dietitian, as this can help them tailor their treatment recommendations.

The way you eat and drink may contribute to IBS symptoms. To improve your condition, try:

• eating smaller, more frequent meals
• not skipping meals — especially not skipping breakfast if you’re constipated
• avoiding large or high fat meals
• avoiding rushing while eating

Doctors may recommend a low FODMAP diet for IBS.

This eating plan guides you in avoiding consuming hard-to-digest carbohydrates known as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs).

A FODMAP diet is usually temporary, as doctors may use it to help reduce irritation and identify any trigger foods. You may eventually add high FODMAP foods back into your diet one by one.

A registered dietitian with experience in elimination diets can help you start a low FODMAP diet and later help you reintroduce high FODMAP foods.

Read more about a low FODMAP diet, including foods to include or avoid.

Some foods you may be able to eat in moderate amounts, but they can contribute to constipation if eaten in excessive amounts.

For example, high fat meat is a low FODMAP food, but it can contribute to constipation when consumed in high amounts.

Also, many doctors recommend increasing fiber intake to help with constipation. However, eating too much fiber can lead to symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort — especially if you do not drink enough fluids.

A registered dietitian can advise on your recommended intake levels.

Learn more about recommended intake levels for fiber, protein, and carbohydrates.

Nutrition can be highly personal, so your needs may differ from someone else’s with the same condition.

Always talk with a doctor or registered dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet, including avoiding certain foods or food groups.

Read more about IBS-C, including its causes and treatment options.

General tips for nutrition with IBS-C include:

• eating enough fiber
• avoiding personal and common trigger foods, according to your doctor’s recommendations
• staying hydrated

Foods you may be able to eat while meeting these goals include:

• low lactose or lactose-free dairy products or dairy alternatives, such as lactose-free yogurt, feta, or brie
• lean proteins, such as chicken, fish, and eggs
• small servings of most nuts and seeds
• sources of soluble fiber, such as oats and oat bran, rice bran, and psyllium husk
• rice, corn, and some gluten-free grains like quinoa

Fruits and vegetables you may be able to eat include:

• bananas
• berries, except for blackberries
• melons, except for watermelon
• citrus fruits
• some sprouts and pulses, such as bean sprouts and bamboo shoots
• bok choy
• lettuce
• carrots
• cucumbers
• root vegetables such as potatoes, parsnips, and turnips
• spring onion
• ginger

None of these foods are high in FODMAPs. If you do not need to follow a low FODMAP diet, you may also be able to eat most fruits and vegetables as well.

To help with IBS-C, your doctor may recommend limiting:

• common IBS trigger foods
• high FODMAP foods
• foods high in fat, such as fatty meats and foods cooked in fat
• highly processed foods
• fast food

Examples of foods to limit for IBS-C include:

• lactose, such as from milk, yogurt, cream, and cheese
• foods that contain gluten, such as wheat and rye
• highly processed or fatty cuts of meat, such as deli meats
• beans and peas, such as chickpeas, lentils, and soybeans
• cashews
• broccoli and cauliflower
• mushrooms
• artificial sweeteners
• foods containing high fructose corn syrup
• certain fruits, such as:
  • peaches, cherries, and mangoes
  • apples and pears
  • watermelon

Recipe ideas for following an IBS-C-friendly diet include:

• oat porridge or chia seed pudding with strawberries and banana
• lactose-free yogurt and maple syrup
• grilled chicken breast with rice noodles, bok choy, and carrots
• root vegetable soup
• turkey mince lettuce wraps
• omelet with spinach and green bell pepper
• orange chicken salad with lettuce
• walnut, quinoa, and lettuce salad

You can add extra flavor to your meals with ingredients such as ginger and spring onion.

Nutritional needs can vary per person. However, the following approaches may help improve IBS-C symptoms:

• following a low FODMAP diet
• eating enough fiber
• staying hydrated
• limiting foods that are high in fat, contain lactose or gluten, and are highly processed

Methods such as keeping a food diary and eating smaller, more frequent meals may also help.

However, always talk with a doctor or registered dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet.