If you suffer from Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, you’ve undoubtedly tried a number of remedies to help alleviate the symptoms. My clients often share their frustration about having to limit their daily schedules because of the severe consequences associated with IBD. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (or IBD) is literally an inflammation of the intestines, accompanied by bouts of diarrhea, stomach cramping and occasionally extreme weight loss.
Let’s consider some useful nutritional suggestions to help manage IBD. Although it can feel as if everyday is a challenge, I’d like to help you improve your overall nutritional health. Some of my suggestions vary based on your current state of IBD control! For instance, if you are in the midst of an IBD flare up (or crisis), it’s important to follow a “low residue” diet (also limited in fiber). Low residue and low fiber are not exactly the same thing. However, during an acute bout of pain and inflammation, we don’t want to do anything that would further irritate or inflame the intestines. That means eating softer and easily tolerated foods.
If your physician recommends following a low residue/low fiber diet during periods of extreme discomfort, try to avoid high fiber foods (no more than 10 grams of fiber per day). Avoid foods such as whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables as well as nuts and seeds.I know, it sounds like the opposite of what we usually preach for good health! I also recommend cutting back on dairy products and caffeine, as those foods can stimulate bowel movements. But remember, this is a temporary diet that should be followed during a painful flare-up. Cook high protein foods such as fish, poultry and eggs well (so that they are soft), puree most vegetables (avoiding broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage). Try applesauce and unsweetened canned fruits. Soft pasta might also be well tolerated. Sometimes nutritional supplement drinks (in a very elemental form) can be suggested by your physician (if you feel you can’t tolerate whole foods). Sugar free foods that contain sugar alcohols (such as sorbitol) can be very hard to digest and should be avoided (as they can cause diarrhea). It is also important to limit large amounts of foods such as fat which could make your symptoms more severe. It’s also important to limit alcohol.
Even during those times when you are experiencing a flare-up, you must try to stay well hydrated and well nourished. I recommend eating 5-6 small meals per day, at all times with IBD. Eating smaller meals (higher in lean well cooked protein) can help you recover faster and feel stronger. Drink lots of water. This will also help prevent severe constipation. When you have IBD, bowel habits can range from diarrhea to constipation (over a short period of time). Water should be an important part of your daily regime.
When your IBD is under control, ask your physician and registered dietitian about increasing the fiber content of your diet. Many studies have proven that higher fiber diets can help reduce the risk of digestive and bowel diseases. The American Dietetic Association recommends a daily fiber intake of 25-30 grams per day for the average adult. However if you have IBD and have been following a lower fiber diet, you must increase your fiber intake very slowly (and only with the permission of your doctor)! Foods which contain high amounts of fiber include: whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and beans.
Treating and managing IBD requires individual assessment and treatment. In addition to nutritional management and medications, exercise and stress management can be very helpful. Please check out my previous post “Inflammatory Bowel Disease: More Than Just An Upset Stomach” for more information on IBD. Also check out CROHN’S & COLITIS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA for more support and information. Stay tuned for more information about eating well with IBD!
