If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you are likely to notice that some foods trigger the symptoms more than others. The best way to identify which are your "trigger" foods is to keep an Abdominal Pain Diary for a number of weeks. In general, there are some types of foods that are common triggers of abdominal pain and cramps. These are:

• - fats and oils
• - red meat
• - dairy products and eggs
• - coffee, tea and cola beverages
• - frozen or very cold food or drinks
• - citrus fruits, unpeeled fruits and raw vegetables

Monitor the effect of these foods on your symptoms. Avoid them if they trigger an attack. Your healthcare professional may prescribe a diagnostic test known as a multiple exclusion diet: potential triggers are eliminated entirely from the diet, then re-introduced one by one. This helps identify the most troublesome foods.