Short Answer: Cheese is bad for IBS. Because it has lactose and fat and they can cause gas, bloating, pain, constipation, or diarrhea.
IBS is a condition that affects your digestive system and causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation.
In IBS, your body has problems with the movement and sensitivity of your intestines, which can affect how food and gas pass through them.
This can lead to various health problems, such as abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and poor nutrient absorption.
One of the key factors in managing IBS is diet.
What you consume can affect your gut bacteria, which can impact your IBS symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage IBS, you should consume fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and avoid fat-rich foods like fried foods, butter, and cream.
Now, cheese is a dairy product produced by coagulating the milk protein casein.
People usually eat cheese as a snack, a topping, or an ingredient in various dishes.
Cheese is bad for IBS because it contains lactose, a type of sugar that some people with IBS have trouble digesting.
Cheese can also trigger IBS symptoms because it is high in fat, which can slow down digestion and cause constipation or diarrhea.
Cheese may affect different types of IBS differently, depending on whether they have IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), or IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M).
100 grams of cheese can give you about 30 grams of fat (46% of your daily needs), 26.7 grams of protein (53% of your daily needs), and 3.33 grams of carbohydrates (1% of your daily needs).
Lactose can negatively affect IBS because it can cause gas, bloating, and abdominal pain if you lack the enzyme lactase to break it down.
Fat can negatively affect IBS because it can stimulate the nerves in your gut and make them more sensitive, which can worsen your pain and discomfort.
Furthermore, cheese is a dairy product and dairy products are bad for IBS.
Because, they can increase inflammation in your gut and alter your gut bacteria, which can worsen your IBS symptoms.
That’s why I suggest you limit your cheese intake to avoid aggravating your IBS.
Stick to no more than one serving (28 grams) of cheese per day to minimize the risk of lactose intolerance and fat-induced symptoms.
Also, you shouldn’t eat cheese if you have lactose intolerance or a dairy allergy to prevent severe reactions.
Because, these conditions can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hives, and breathing difficulties.
You can buy fresh cheese in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose cheese that is low in fat and lactose, such as mozzarella, feta, or cottage cheese.
Because, these cheeses are easier to digest and less likely to trigger IBS symptoms.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to six months.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing IBS effectively.
I always recommend my IBS patients to follow an IBS-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.