Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Changing Your Diet

How to eat when you have inflammatory bowel disease

• Keep a food journal. As soon as you know what foods make your symptoms worse, your doctor or dietitian can help you plan the right diet for you.
• During a flare-up, avoid or reduce foods that make symptoms worse.
  • Choose dairy products that are low in lactose, such as yogurt, lactose-reduced milk, and hard cheeses like cheddar.
  • If you have fat in your stools (stools may look oily and smell bad), choose low-fat foods instead of high-fat ones. For instance, some cuts of red meat have a lot of fat. A low-fat choice would be lean beef (such as sirloin, top and bottom round, chuck, or extra-lean ground beef), poultry, or fish such as cod.
  • Instead of frying foods, try baking or broiling them.
  • Cook fruits and vegetables without hulls, skins, or seeds.
  • Try different ways of preparing fruits and vegetables, such as steaming, stewing, or baking.
  • Peel and seed fresh fruits and vegetables if these bother you, or choose canned varieties.
• Get the calories and nutrients you need.
  • Eat a varied, nutritious diet that is high in calories and protein.
  • Try eating 3 meals plus 2 or 3 snacks a day. It may be easier to get more calories if you spread your food intake throughout the day.
  • Take vitamin and mineral supplements if your doctor recommends them.
  • Try adding high-calorie liquid supplements, such as Ensure Plus or Boost Plus, if you have trouble keeping your weight up.
  • See your doctor or dietitian if your diet feels too limited or you are losing weight.
• Make sure to get enough iron. Rectal bleeding may make you lose iron. Good sources of iron include:
  • Beef.
  • Lentils.
  • Spinach.
  • Raisins.
  • Iron-enriched breads and cereals.