Australian_Healthy_Food_Guide_February_2017

POSSIBLE REASON:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Feeling bloated is uncomfortable, especially

during summer when there are no heavy layers

of clothing to hide behind. Roughly 90 per cent

of women experience bloating on a regular basis,

with nearly half of those saying it affects their

everyday life. So, what’s going on here?

Probably the most common cause of

bloating is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

IBS affects around one in five Australians,

and up to 90 per cent of IBS sufferers

report bloating as a symptom. Changes

to bowel habits, abdominal pain, and

excessive gas are other IBS symptoms.

Two main triggers for IBS symptoms are diet and

stress. The most common diet culprits are garlic,

onion, lentils, apples, mushrooms, cauliflower, wheat

and inulin. These foods are high in FODMAPs —

an acronym for a group of carbohydrates that

are poorly digested in some people’s intestines.

HOW DIET

CAN HELP

ÅLimit FODMAPs

The low-FODMAP die

has been scientifi cally

proven to help ease

symptoms in around

75 per cent of people

with IBS. But before

eliminating any foods

see your GP to get

a proper diagnosis,

k to a

can help supervise you while on

d low-FODMAP diet.

lt Salt is a well-known cause of fl uid

educing the salt in your diet can help.

y Sometimes, bloating can be caused

ou eat, not what you eat. Eating quickly

he amount of air you swallow, which

e bloating. Try to put your cutlery down

en mouthfuls, and chew your food

wly, with your mouth closed.

Bloating affects

90% of women & diet

may be the trigger

normal way (such as when you
get your period), so they bleed,
and over time this creates scar
tissue. This can cause severe pain,
and can also lead to infertility.
Endometriosis can mimic
IBS symptoms, such as bloating
and abdominal pain, so it’s
important not to self-diagnose.
Always seek professional advice
before making drastic
changes to your diet.
The relationship
between specific foods
and endometriosis risk is
not entirely clear, but a
balanced diet is likely to
have benefits all round and help
you cope with the symptoms.

HOW DIET CAN HELP
ÅEat a rainbow of vegies
Some studies show that diets
high in vegetables and fi bre result
in a lower risk of endometriosis.
ÅLimit fried foods Evidence
suggests eating large amounts
of trans fats (found in fried foods,
biscuits and pastries) increases
th i k f d t i i i

A diet of

fresh fruit

& veg may

dik

ty

“Why am I so bloated?”

FEBRUARY 2017 HEALTHY FOOD GUIDE 53