If you are one of the millions of people that are diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) every year, you undoubtedly have questions as to how to live with this new situation. It may surprise you to know that by following an Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet, you can help keep your IBS under control.

1- One of the easiest changes that can be made to your diet is to avoid eating foods that are known to cause gas, for example, broccoli and beans. Beware however, that foods are not the only thing that can cause gas, apple juice and grape juice can have the same effect on your body.

2- Its best to keep a food journal to help you identify which types of food and drink cause you to become gassy and therefore cause IBS flare-ups. This journal can be as simple as writing down a food and how you felt after eating it to noting the time of day, who you ate with and how you were feeling when you ate. The point is that keeping some type of a journal will pinpoint which foods cause you issues.

3- Another Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet secret is to stay away from caffeine, sorbitol (used as a sweetener) and alcohol, all of which can aggravate the bowel and cause symptoms to flare up. It's best to pass up high-fat foods such as pastries and other desserts for the same reasons.

4- There are a couple of rules that don't directly relate to Irritable Bowel Syndrome diets, but that do involve making diet changes for other reasons that could have an effect on the IBS symptoms. For example, it is thought that Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms can also cause IBS flare-ups, by taking dietary steps to alleviate the PMS symptoms; you will in turn be keeping the IBS symptoms at bay.

5- As with any medical issue, you should always consult your physician with any questions or concerns that you have. They will be your best source forinformation about controlling this disease given your personal situation.