---
title: Food and stool links: a free IBS trigger finder
url: https://stoollog.com/features/possible-links
description: After about two weeks of logs, Stool Log's free Possible links shows which foods and drinks came more often before loose or hard stools or a symptom.
---

[Features](https://stoollog.com/features) · Possible links

# See which foods come before bad days

Once you've logged about two weeks, Stool Log compares the days you had a food or drink with your other days, and shows the clear differences. It's free.

## How it works

For each food or drink you've logged, Stool Log looks at the day you had it and the day after, and compares them with your other days:

- **Loose stools** (Bristol types 6 and 7)
- **Hard stools** (types 1 and 2)
- **Symptoms,** such as bloating or cramps

It shows a link only when the difference is clear. Each one says how often the outcome came after the food, and how often on other days, as two bars side by side. Tap a link to see the last four weeks on a calendar.

If you track **periods** or **daily goals,** they're compared the same way: for example, loose stools around your period, or regular stools on days you met your water goal.

## What it needs

- **About two weeks of logs.** Until then, Insights shows how far along you are.
- **Foods logged on at least 5 days.** Logging what you eat, using the same name each time, is what gives it something to compare.

Our [IBS food and symptom diary](https://stoollog.com/blog/ibs-food-and-symptom-diary) guide explains how to log food without writing down every bite.

## What it isn't

A link is a pattern in what you logged, not proof that one thing causes the other. Stress, sleep and your cycle can line up with a food by chance. Bring your links to your doctor or dietitian before cutting foods out.

## Start logging today

Possible links needs about two weeks of logs, with the foods you want to check logged on at least 5 days.

[Get Stool Log on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6748586544?ct=feature_links)

## More features

- [A diary for your child or a parent](https://stoollog.com/features/family)
- [Daily goals for fibre, water and habits](https://stoollog.com/features/daily-goals)
- [A report for your doctor](https://stoollog.com/features/doctor-report)