Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Diet: Managing Symptoms Through Your Food Choices

One of the most important steps you can take is adjusting your diet to identify which foods trigger flare-ups and should be avoided. It’s important to try to limit the amount of high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt foods you eat, especially animal fats and processed meats.¹

Certain foods containing complex carbohydrates, such as beans, cabbage, and brussels sprouts and carbonated drinks can cause gas build up and contribute towards bloating.² In Crohn’s disease, food can sometimes be poorly absorbed in the gut, which could mean more undigested food reaching the colon, which in turn causes bacteria to digest the food and produce more gas.²

Try to take note of what you eat before experiencing a flare-up, this can help you recognise any food that might trigger your symptoms. These will vary from person to person and will take some time to determine. Try keeping a journal of everything you eat and talk to a dietitian about alternatives if you’re unsure.³

The effect of different foods on your symptoms differs from person to person and there is no particular diet that works for everyone with IBD.¹

You may not want to eat as much as usual during a flare-up. However, it’s still important to get enough energy and nutrients.¹ Try to include healthy fats in your diet, such as avocados or olive oil. These are high energy and a good way to increase your calorie intake when your appetite is low.¹ If you’re experiencing diarrhoea or blood in your stool, make sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.¹

When you start to feel better or return to remission, be sure to resume a healthy, balanced diet. If you feel that your symptoms are always active and find it difficult to eat a healthy, balanced diet, ask your healthcare team if you can be referred to a dietitian for support.