Processed Foods
Eating too much processed foods is bad, even for healthy people. These foods usually contain a high amount of salt, sugar, and fat. If you have IBS, you should be more wary about including them in your diet.
The preservatives found in processed foods can irritate the gut of people with IBS and trigger their symptoms. Consuming highly processed foods can also increase the risk of IBS in people without the condition. One review established a link between daily consumption of highly processed foods and an elevated risk of IBS, cancer, and high blood pressure. [6]
Caffeinated Beverages
Caffeinated beverages such as coffee contain stimulants that can irritate the gut and trigger diarrhea in people with IBS. This is why avoiding them is probably good if you have IBS.
The effect of caffeinated drinks is not the same for everyone with IBS. Observe how you feel after taking caffeinated drinks like coffee and soda. If they have no unpleasant effect, you may choose to continue drinking them. If they trigger your symptoms, it is best to exclude them from your diet.
Chocolates
Chocolates typically contain high amounts of sugar, fat and caffeine. These are all potential IBS triggers. If you cannot do without chocolate, you can swap traditional chocolates for vegan options that may be more tolerable for people with IBS. [7]