July 9, 2020

Are Eggs OK to Eat If You Have Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Learn if eggs are friend or foe for your IBS symptoms

omelette with a side of potatoes

Whether you prefer them sunny side up, hard-boiled or scrambled, you may need to reexamine your relationship with eggs if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

“Eggs can be easy for some but can be a trigger for some IBS symptoms in others,” says gastroenterologist Christine Lee, MD. “It really depends on the person.”

Dr. Lee shares what you need to know about eggs and IBS.

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that may cause:

  • Abdominal pain.
  • Bloating.
  • Constipation.
  • Cramping.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Gas.

“Symptoms tend to come and go. In between episodes, there are times when you don’t experience any IBS symptoms, otherwise called asymptomatic periods of time. That’s the hallmark,” says Dr. Lee.

Common IBS triggers

IBS symptoms are unique to each person. “For some people, their trigger could be stress. In others, it could be a certain food, travel or certain situations” says Dr. Lee.

“And how symptomatic people are varies widely,” she adds. “It ranges from nuisance symptoms of gas and bloating to debilitating pain.”

Common IBS triggers include:

Advertisement
  • Diet lacking variety and proper nutrition.
  • Certain foods, such as gluten, dairy, soy, corn, eggs and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, etc).
  • Imbalance of bacteria in the intestine, which can happen after you take antibiotics or post-infection recovery.
  • Microbes and toxins, such as salmonella or E. coli bacteria from tainted food.
  • Stress or lack of exercise.

Do eggs cause diarrhea and other IBS symptoms?

Whether eggs are friend or foe depends on how IBS affects you.

If you have constipation

“If your symptoms lend toward abdominal pain and constipation, eggs can worsen IBS. Eggs are packed with proteins, which can exacerbate constipation,” Dr. Lee explains.

If you have diarrhea

According to Dr. Lee, “For someone dealing with predominant diarrhea (the fast transit type where they have loose frequent bowel movements), eggs can be a friend and help bind up the bowel movements.”

Fermentable carbohydrates are a type of FODMAP, a group of carbohydrates that can worsen IBS. They often cause your body to release more gas, thereby causing bloating and triggering symptoms. For some people, avoiding high-FODMAP foods can improve the condition.

“Egg is on the list of foods you’re allowed to have on the low-FODMAP diet. Eggs help because they’re rich in proteins and nutrients and very low in fermentable carbohydrates. This means they are less likely to cause symptoms,” Dr. Lee explains.

If you have an egg allergy

If you have an egg allergy, the answer is pretty clear-cut. “In people allergic to eggs, they obviously should not eat any foods that contain eggs due to concern for an allergic reaction to the egg protein,” Dr. Lee notes.

Bottom line: Talk to your doctor

If you aren’t sure where you stand with eggs, your doctor can help. A detailed medical history often reveals how eggs can affect your IBS symptoms. “It’s important to have a conversation with your doctor,” says Dr. Lee. “Often, patients will tell me things they don’t think are relevant but end up being vital in clinching the right diagnosis.”

Advertisement

Does it matter how you prepare eggs?

For runny egg yolk fans, Dr. Lee has some bad news. “Cooked proteins tend to be less offensive for people with IBS triggers. When it’s not quite cooked through, you run the risk of salmonella infection, which can make IBS worse.”

Salmonella infection usually happens within six to 48 hours of consuming the bacteria, depending on how much you ingest and your immune status.

The final word: Are eggs good for IBS?

Dr. Lee emphasizes that eggs can be an ally for most people with IBS, so try to incorporate them into your diet as tolerated.

“Eggs are a powerful, low-carb, protein-packed and nutritious food with good fats that your body needs. If they cause constipation, then add bran, prune juice or psyllium to your diet to off-set the constipation. It’s a small price to pay for the nutritional benefits,” she says.

“But,” she warns, “if you do have an egg allergy or eggs trigger your symptoms, then avoid them altogether and find a different source of protein.”

Related Articles

garden omelet herbs eggs kale spinach
October 3, 2023
Recipe: Garden Veggie Omelet

A superfood breakfast to power your day

Person at home curled up on couch with abdominal pain.
March 27, 2023
Understanding the Differences Between IBD and IBS

IBD is an inflammatory disorder, while IBS is a group of symptoms, but both need treatment

Close up of white and brown eggs in egg container.
August 11, 2022
Best Eggs to Buy: When Labels Matter Most

Pasture-raised and organic eggs have additional nutritional benefits

Poached eggs over roasted mushrooms and asparagus
May 12, 2022
Recipe: Poached Eggs Over Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms

Elevate the humble egg with this delectable dish

A small bowl holds curry egg salad with eggs, onions and lettuce on a cutting board beside sliced limes.
January 20, 2021
Recipe: Creamy Curried Egg Salad

How to make perfect hard-boiled eggs for a very tasty egg salad

A close-up photo of deviled eggs with paprika sprinkled on top of mashed yolks
January 5, 2021
Recipe: Healthy Deviled Eggs

So satisfying and simple and only 15 minutes to make

onion zucchini fritata
July 30, 2020
Recipe: One Yolk Vegetable Frittata

Filled with veggie goodness

Poached eggs with spinach and red pepper
July 23, 2020
Recipe: Poached Eggs with Spinach and Red Pepper Pesto

Light, tasty power breakfast

Trending Topics

group of hands holding different beverages
November 14, 2023
10 Myths About Drinking Alcohol You Should Stop Repeating

Coffee won’t cure a hangover and you definitely shouldn’t mix your cocktail with an energy drink

Person applies moisturizer as part of their skin care routine after a shower.
November 10, 2023
Korean Skin Care Routines: What You Need To Know

Focus on the philosophy — replenishing and respecting your skin — not necessarily the steps

glass of cherry juice with cherries on table
November 8, 2023
Sleepy Girl Mocktail: What’s in It and Does It Really Make You Sleep Better?

This social media sleep hack with tart cherry juice and magnesium could be worth a try

Ad