If you suffer from abdominal pain or cramps, you will have probably noticed 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. An Abdominal Pain Diary can be downloaded here.

There are no "golden rules" about exactly what foods will always trigger an attack of painful abdominal pain and cramps. The most effective way of establishing which foods irritate your digestion is with the help of an Abdominal Pain Diary.

Simply note the meals, snacks and drinks that you consume during the day. Also record the events, people and situations you encounter. You don't need to continue this indefinitely: as a diagnostic tool, it gives you an insight into your trigger foods and situations after just a few weeks. An Abdominal Pain Diary can be downloaded here.

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