Diet in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are certain types of inflammatory bowel disease. They cause sores or ulcers and inflammation in the digestive tract. This can lead to symptoms like weight loss, diarrhea, bloody stools, loss of appetite and fever. Quite often the symptoms become worse after eating foods that work like irritants.

If you have inflammatory bowel disease, it becomes difficult to retain nutrients like protein, vitamins and minerals in your body as your intestines may not be able to absorb these from the food you eat.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diet

Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease:

• Drink at least eight to ten glasses of water as well as other fluids to keep your body hydrated as well as to prevent constipation.

• Your physician may recommend a multivitamin supplement to make up for the lost nutrients.

• You must eat a high fiber diet if you have IBD. However, if you have a flare up, then eat limited quantities of fiber foods in order to give the stomach rest and to minimize the symptoms.

• If you feel that you have IBD because of lactose intolerance, then avoid food products with lactose.

• You might want to eat small meals more frequently to nourish your body. Try eating a high protein diet with eggs, fish and lean meats. Speak to your dietitian about pre-digested nutritional drinks – these give your bowels a rest and replenish the lost nutrients.

• Limit your intake of sorbitol, alcohol and caffeine as these aggravate the symptoms of IBD.

• Also, try to limit your intake of gas-producing foods like sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lentils, dried peas, peppers, chives and onions. Avoid carbonated drinks as well.

• If part of your intestines has been surgically removed, then reduce your fat intake as foods rich in fat can induce diarrhea and gas.

• Studies show that flax seed oil and fish oil are beneficial for IBD patients. Probiotics are also recommended to treat IBD.

• Cook vegetables and fruits without seeds, skins and hulls. Use various cooking methods like baking, stewing, and steaming.

• To replace the lost nutrients, eat a meal that is high in protein and calories.

• Eat snacks a couple of times a day.

• Drink some high-calorie liquid supplements if you feel that you are loosing weight and need to bring up your weight.

• If you still feel that you are loosing weight drastically, then consult your doctor and a nutritionist.