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When people are diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), one of the first questions they’re likely to ask their healthcare providers (HCPs) is, “What can I eat?” But the better question might be, “What can’t I eat?” While diet doesn’t cause ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, certain foods can be difficult to digest, and other foods can actually make your symptoms worse if your IBD is active. You should always talk to your HCP or dietitian before making big changes to your diet, but here’s a rundown of the most common IBD troublemakers.
Sources: Schreiner P, Martinho-Grueber M, et al. ... + 6
- Schreiner P, Martinho-Grueber M, et al. Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Digestion 2020;101(suppl 1):120-135.
- Knight-Sepulveda K, Kais S, et al. Diet and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2015;11(8):511-520.
- Fedewa A, Rao SS. Dietary fructose intolerance, fructan intolerance and FODMAPs. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2014;16(1):370.
- Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. What Should I Eat? Accessed October 26, 2022.
- Y Chen, C Ma, et al. P082 Spicy food is a vital trigger for relapse in patient with inflammatory bowel disease, Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, Volume 14, Issue Supplement_1, January 2020, Page S176.
- Reddavide R, Rotolo O, Caruso MG, et al. The role of diet in the prevention and treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Acta Biomed. 2018;89(9-S):60-75. Published 2018 Dec 17.
- IBD Clinic University of Alberta. IBD and Diet: Lactose Intolerance. Accessed October 26, 2022.
