Let's first define "roughage." Quite simply—roughage is fiber. However, roughage is most often used to refer to raw vegetables such as those in a salad. And when do most Americans eat their salad? At the beginning of the meal.
This is not a habit that works well for people with IBS. Roughage on an empty stomach can lead to IBS symptoms. Instead, try to eat your salad or other fiber filled foods near the end of the meal. The stomach already has some other foods in it to soften the blow.
Salad is really meant to be eaten at the end of a meal to cleanse the palate. If you're going to eat that salad, do it after the main course, and think of yourself as being cosmopolitan.
