Food and digestive symptom diary: record context, not conclusions

Start with a record, not a restriction plan

NHS guidance for people diagnosed with IBS includes keeping a record of food and symptoms. The same guidance recommends seeing a GP if you need to avoid many foods to control symptoms.

A diary is not a diagnosis, allergy test or instruction to remove foods. If you are considering dietary restrictions, discuss them with an appropriate healthcare professional rather than treating a pattern in your notes as proof.

Put meal details and observations on the same timeline

Write enough detail that you can understand the entry later, but do not worry about reconstructing every ingredient exactly. Mark uncertain details as uncertain.

• Date and approximate meal time
• Food and ingredients, with portion notes if useful
• Time of a symptom observation
• Your own description of discomfort, bloating or bowel changes
• Optional context, such as sleep, stress or a change in routine
• Questions you want to ask at your appointment

Timing alone does not establish a trigger

A meal followed by a symptom is a sequence of events, not proof that the meal caused it. Multiple things can change during a day, and a short record cannot settle the explanation.

Keep observations and guesses separate. Write “bloating noted at 4 pm” rather than labelling an ingredient as unsafe. Do not undertake an elimination diet based only on this diary.

Prepare a manageable appointment summary

Choose a clear date range and include days with fewer observations as well as difficult days. Explain any gaps and take the underlying notes if you want to discuss particular entries.

A completed diary contains personal health information. Keep it securely and share it only with people you choose. A blank template is suitable to share more widely.

Choose the format you will actually use

Download our free food and digestive diary from the resources page and print additional blank sheets when needed. No account or subscription is required for the PDF.

Gut Companion provides Android meal and symptom records and reports for appointments. It does not diagnose IBS, identify a food trigger or provide a safe elimination-diet plan. Its paid subscription is separate from the free printable resource.