Every day more and more people are diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a functional disorder that can cause symptoms that are uncomfortable and affect quality of life. Even when people with IBS have identified foods that trigger their symptoms, it can be difficult to avoid these foods, especially when they eat outside the home. Since many people eat lunch at work, this is a time of day that is particularly difficult to manage. Many cafeteria lunches contain high fat foods that cannot be digested by people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. For those with IBS, it is safest to pack their own lunches, but it can be hard to come up with healthy and quick lunch ideas.
Soy Yogurt with Safe Fruit
People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome cannot tolerate dairy, but many can handle soy products. Soy yogurt is a great product to try because it contains probiotics that can help regulate the digestive system. Soy yogurt comes in many flavors, but those watching their sugar intake can buy plain yogurt and buy their own safe fruit. Try mango, a soluble fiber fruit, that can be purchased frozen for a delicious and quick sweet taste addition to plain soy yogurt.
English Muffins or French Bread with Almond Butter
Although whole wheat bread is healthy for most individuals, it can be hard to digest for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome because of the high content of insoluble fiber. However, breads like French bread and white English muffins provide a perfect soluble fiber base for adding small amounts of healthy fats or insoluble fiber. Adding approximately one tablespoon of almond butter to safe bread can add a healthy and delicious topping to this meal.
Tuna Pasta Salad
Being diagnosed with IBS will mean no more typical tuna fish sandwiches made with mayonnaise. However, it does not mean the end of tuna. Mix cold pasta with safe vegetables (carrots, zucchini, summer squash), canned tuna and some fresh squeezed lemon for a delicious and healthy alternative. Add some peeled and sliced apples for a sweet taste. For those who do not like tuna, salmon or chicken would work just as well and is also safe for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Baked Lays Potato Chips
Often having IBS can mean giving up some favorite foods. However, there are some low fat versions of snacks like chips that can be substituted safely. Baked Lays have only 2 grams of fat per 1 ounce of chips (120 calories) compared to regular Lays, which have 10 grams of fat per 1 ounce of chips.
When you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, it is important to always be prepared with healthy and safe packed lunches. It is difficult to find safe foods in an office cafeteria or a nearby restaurant, so it is important to seek out lunch ideas you can bring with you and still enjoy. For healthy and safe breakfast ideas, visit The IBS Breakfast.
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