IBS Awareness Month is the perfect time to reconnect with what our gut is telling us—and how we can eat in a way that supports both digestive health and inner calm. At IrieVeda, our approach is rooted in Ayurvedic tradition, where food is medicine and digestion is the foundation of wellness

Common IBS Triggers to Watch For

If you’re just starting your IBS journey, it helps to understand some of the common dietary culprits that can lead to bloating, cramps, diarrhea, and discomfort:

• Garlic and onion (high in FODMAPs and very fermentable)

• Wheat and gluten-containing grains

• Lactose and dairy

• Beans and legumes

• Artificial sweeteners (like sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol)

• Cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) in large quantities

• Carbonated drinks and caffeine

And of course—stress is a major non-food trigger that can aggravate symptoms. That’s why we love bringing a sense of calm into the kitchen.

“Yoga in the Kitchen”: Mindful Cooking for Gut Health

You don’t have to be a yogi to benefit from the concept of mindful cooking. At IrieVeda, we call it “Yoga in the Kitchen”—creating a calming, intentional space while you cook and eat. Here’s how you can start:

•  Breathe before you bite – Take a few deep breaths to shift into rest-and-digest mode.
• Cook with presence – Put on music you love (we’re partial to reggae), clean your space, and engage with your ingredients.
  
•  Eat slowly and without distraction – Digestion starts in the mouth, and stress blocks absorption.
  

Ayurveda and modern science agree: a calm mind supports a calm gut.

Gut-Healing Herbs & Spices

There are many ingredients that naturally support digestion—and lucky for you, they’re in most of our spice blends:

•  Ginger – Eases nausea, bloating, and indigestion
• Peppermint – Soothes IBS-related cramping and spasms
  
• Turmeric – Reduces inflammation in the gut lining
  
•  Cumin, coriander & fennel – Help relieve gas and bloating
  
• Hing (asafoetida) – A great onion/garlic alternative in low doses
  

These herbs aren’t just “extras”—they’re functional tools that have supported healthy digestion across cultures for centuries.

So if you’ve been wondering how to feel more at peace in your kitchen (and in your gut), know that the wisdom of “Veda” has always said: 

Cook with care. Eat with intention. Let food heal.