Can Inflammatory Bowel Disease Be Managed with My Food Choices?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for several chronic conditions, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, that cause inflammation in the digestive tract. Because there is no cure, ongoing management is key to maintaining a good quality of life.

A combination of genetic factors and a faulty immune response causes these inflammatory conditions. Imagine your body’s immune system always on guard, looking for invaders. 

In people with IBD, the immune system becomes overly zealous, perceiving danger where there is none and mistakenly attacking the body instead of external threats.

In addition, stress, infections, and certain dietary choices can influence the immune system's response, making it even more vigilant—for all the wrong reasons.

So how is diet all tied to this?

Your digestive system is already at the mercy of an overactive immune system. When you consume foods that may increase inflammation in your body or irritate the gut lining, your intestines suffer even more.

If you’d like to learn more about how foods impact your IBD, read on as our experts at Carolina Digestive Health Associates explain which foods are more likely to trigger a flare-up and which are easier to digest and more likely to promote healing.

Foods that typically worsen IBD

So, what foods should you pay attention to? Common offenders include:

• Foods fried in vegetable oils
• Dairy products
• Foods high in fiber
• Spicy foods
• Drinks containing alcohol and caffeine

High-fat and high-fiber foods take longer to digest. While fiber is usually considered beneficial, it can irritate the gut of people with IBD. Raw vegetables, seeds, and nuts are typically the worst offenders.

Dairy products can be problematic if you are lactose intolerant.

Spicy foods irritate the gut lining, while alcohol and caffeine can also have irritating effects and lead to dehydration.

Foods that are typically safe for IBD

While individual tolerance varies, many people with IBD tolerate the following:

• Low-residue foods
• Lean proteins
• Probiotic-rich foods
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Hydration-friendly choices

Cooked vegetables, meats, eggs, and rice are low-residue foods. Probiotic-rich foods include yogurt and fermented options.

Fatty fish is a good source of omega-3. Other hydration-friendly choices include liquids that help hydrate rather than dehydrate, such as plain water, bone broth, and electrolyte drinks.

All these foods share the following characteristics: they are easy to digest, low in fiber, and gentle on the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the likelihood of irritation. Keeping a food journal is the best way to discover which foods work for you. This will help you identify what you can tolerate and what you cannot.

Learn how to manage your IBD

It’s important to remember that IBD is a disease, and it’s not your fault if a particular food triggers a flare-up. While dietary choices can help lessen flare-ups, the management of IBD often requires medical guidance. Many people eat foods that may trigger their symptoms without developing IBD themselves.

People with IBD are also at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder because they may associate their eating habits with shame if they experience a flare-up. However, no one is to blame for suffering from this disorder, and dietary changes alone are often not enough to manage it. Sometimes, you may experience a flare-up even when your diet is “perfect.”

IBD is a lot to manage, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our experts can help you find the right management plan for you, which may also include medications.

Contact us to schedule an appointment and learn how to improve your quality of life with IBD while preventing potential complications.