Yes, potatoes can trigger IBS flare-ups for some people, often due to their insoluble fiber content or resistant starch in cooled potatoes, but they are generally considered low-FODMAP and can be well-tolerated, especially boiled and plain, while sweet potatoes are higher in FODMAPs and often avoided during elimination phases. Identifying specific triggers requires a food diary, as reactions vary, but plain, boiled potatoes are usually gentle, while fried or processed potato products might be worse.
Vegetable FODMAPS Garlic and onions are 2 of the most common IBS triggers to eliminate. Low FODMAP vegetable alternatives include plain salad and potatoes. Red peppers (capsicum) and green beans help stool softening. White potatoes can firm the stool to avoid diarrhoea.
The worst foods for IBS often include high-FODMAP items (like onions, garlic, apples, beans), dairy, gluten, caffeine, artificial sweeteners (sorbitol, xylitol), spicy foods, and high-fat/fried foods, as these can trigger gas, bloating, pain, and diarrhea, though triggers vary by individual, making a low-FODMAP approach often helpful.
And a medium-sized potato, especially if you're eating it with the skin, contains about 5 grams (g) of fiber. Although having enough fiber in your diet is important, eating too much of it can lead to digestive symptoms such as gas, diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain.
Foods That Can Soothe an IBS Flare-Up
Do
Lifestyle and home remedies
Inflammatory response was intensified when the mice were fed potatoes with higher glycoalkaloid contents. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that consumption of potato skins containing glycoalkaloids can significantly aggravate intestinal inflammation in predisposed individuals.
Potato allergy symptoms are similar to those seen in other food allergies. These can include hives, itching or eczema, swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat, wheezing, nasal congestion, trouble swallowing, lightheadedness, or fainting.
Potatoes are still largely viewed by Chinese people as a side dish, rather than a replacement for noodles or rice, but there are some dishes where the spud is the star.
But many people have worse IBS symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages. These include wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, beans, cabbage, milk and carbonated drinks. Stress. Most people with IBS experience worse or more-frequent symptoms during periods of increased stress.
For immediate pain relief, consider using heat therapy, drinking an herbal tea or engaging in gentle physical movement. For long-term symptom management, it is important to manage stress, maintain a healthy lifestyle and identify and avoid trigger foods like high-FODMAP foods.
How Long Can an IBS Flare-Up Last? The truth is that the length of a flare-up varies. They can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on factors like what triggered it and how you manage your symptoms. On average, most flare-ups last about 2 to 4 days.
The worst foods for IBS often include high-FODMAP items (like onions, garlic, apples, beans), dairy, gluten, caffeine, artificial sweeteners (sorbitol, xylitol), spicy foods, and high-fat/fried foods, as these can trigger gas, bloating, pain, and diarrhea, though triggers vary by individual, making a low-FODMAP approach often helpful.
Starchy vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn can cause gas as they break down in your large intestine, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD). This can result in you feeling a little more bloated or gassy after you eat them.
Medicines specifically for IBS
Choose potatoes that are firm without soft spots, mold, or a green tint just below the surface. The green color is caused by a toxin called solanine, which if eaten in excess can cause digestive symptoms like stomach upset and diarrhea in some people.
Symptoms caused by food intolerance can affect the: Gut causing bloating, gas/flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach pain. Nervous system causing headaches, migraines, and fatigue.
Inflammatory Foods
Research has shown that eating potatoes can improve the health of the gut by producing short chain fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation. 5 Eating whole potatoes and other food sources of prebiotics, such as garlic, helps maintain a healthy microbiome, improving digestion and supporting immune health.
Symptoms of Nightshade Allergy and Intolerance
Symptoms
What is the treatment for IBS?
Mild cases of infectious or autoimmune colitis can heal within days. These mild cases can usually be treated with bowel rest, antibiotics, and/or steroids. Severe cases of colitis may take weeks to heal and also may require surgery to remove parts or all of your colon.