Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are both known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and are the most common. This means they cause chronic inflammation of your digestive tract, usually leading to diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. The main difference between the two is the location of inflammation. Crohn's disease can appear anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract whereas ulcerative colitis usually starts in the large intestine.
One of the best ways to reduce symptoms and slow down the development of IBD is your diet. However, before changing your nutrition, you should speak with a doctor or dietician that specializes in IBD to help you create a personalized diet.
Eliminate trigger foods one at a time
Not everyone is triggered by the same diets, although there are common foods and beverages that are known to increase the symptoms of IBD.
- Added sugars and sugary foods
- Alcohol
- Caffeinated coffee/tea, energy drinks, other caffeinated beverages
- Foods high in insoluble fiber (does not dissolve in water) can be hard to digest, such as sunflower seeds.
- High lactose-containing foods, such as cow's milk.
- High-fat foods, such as butter
- High-fiber foods, such as brussels sprouts.
- Spicy foods, such as sriracha, chili powder
- Sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners
- Sugar-sweetened beverages
Remove one of these foods from your diet and wait to see if your symptoms improve. If not, remove another food and continue the process until you find which food(s) are triggering your symptoms.
Eat foods that reduce inflammation
While some foods can make inflammation worse, others have been found to decrease inflammation over time when consumed frequently.
- Fruits, such as bananas, raspberries, applesauce, blended fruit
- Vegetables, such as squashes, fork-tender cooked carrots, green beans
- Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, etc.)
- Cooked and cooled or reheated starches, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, oatmeal
- Leafy green vegetables (try cooking and cutting into small pieces or blending them into smoothies)
To learn more, visit loyolamedicine.org/nutrition-services.
