6 Best Foods To Include In The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diet And What To Avoid!

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterised by chronic inflammation and swelling of the intestines. The estimated number of people suffering from inflammatory bowel disease in India was 1.4 million, the second highest number after the USA (with 1.64 million) ( Kedia, S., & Ahuja, V. (2017). It mainly causes similar symptoms, including diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and fever. 

However, proper diet management can be crucial in alleviating these symptoms and effectively managing other aspects of the disease. In this blog, you’ll find detailed information about what foods to include and avoid in your diet if you have inflammatory bowel disease. Read on to find out more!

Table Of Contents

1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Food To Eat And Avoid

2. The Final Say

3. FAQs

4. References

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Foods To Eat And Avoid

Here is a list of foods that should be included in your diet:

1. Fiber

Fiber is vital to a healthy diet, and you should focus on sources of soluble fiber (which help reduce diarrhoea), such as beans, fleshy fruits, oats, and barley, and eat more whole grains and high-fiber foods as much as possible. However, be watchful of portion sizes, as a large quantity of fiber can cause flare-ups. 

2. Probiotics

Inflammatory bowel disease can cleanse your gut of the "good" bacteria. This refers to fermented foods containing live bacteria, such as plain yoghurt, kefir, kimchi, and soybean paste, which can help bring your gut bacteria back into balance. 

3. Fruits And Vegetables

Eating various plants provides diverse vitamins and minerals. If the fibrous skins and seeds cause indigestion, remove them before eating. 

4. Calcium-Rich foods

You may need calcium from non-dairy foods like dark green vegetables or canned salmon. You can fix your dairy by selecting non-dairy or lactose-free milk, yoghurt, and cheese substitutes. 

5. Lean Protein

Too much fat can lead to poor protein absorption and worsen symptoms. Stick to low-fat protein sources such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and tofu. 

Also Read: Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals With These 7 Lean Protein Foods In India

6. Prebiotics

The inflammatory bowel disease diet emphasises the importance of prebiotics.  Prebiotics help nourish beneficial gut bacteria, reduce inflammation and improve digestive health in individuals with IBD. Good sources of prebiotics include foods like garlic, onions, bananas, and asparagus.

What Are Foods To Avoid In Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diet? 

• Fatty, fatty or fried foods 

• Hot or spicy foods 

• Raw fruits and vegetables with a high fiber content 

• Nuts, seeds and beans 

• Caffeinated or sugary drinks 

• Alcoholic beverages 

• Confectionery, sweets and other sources that have added sugar 

• Alcohol, caffeine, and spicy meals. 

Therefore, if you have inflammatory bowel disease, your issues may get worse. Fiber, sugar, and fat are more difficult to digest. Consequently, you should limit your intake of meals rich in these categories or stick to those low in them. 

Also Read: Prebiotic And Probiotic Capsules: Differences, Uses And Combination

The Final Say

Incorporating the correct foods into your inflammatory bowel disease diet can effectively manage it. Focus on nutrient-dense, readily digestible foods like lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while avoiding typical triggers like high-fat, high-sugar, and processed foods. Making thoughtful eating choices can help relieve discomfort and improve digestive health.

FAQs

1. How do you reduce bowel inflammation?

Reduce the amount of concentrated sweets in your diet, such as soda, candy and juice. Increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids you consume. These lipids might have anti-inflammatory properties.\

2. What are the 10 worst inflammatory foods?

The 10 worst inflammatory foods are: 

• Soda

• Other foods containing added sugar

• Transfat

• Alcohol

• Ultra-processed foods

• Red meat

• Processed meats

• Deep fried foods

• Refined grains like white rice, etc.

• Sweetened snacks like cookies, pastries, etc.

  
  

3. What foods are good for inflammatory bowel disease?

Foods beneficial for inflammatory bowel disease include lean proteins, low-fiber fruits, cooked vegetables, whole grains, and probiotics like yoghurt and kefir.

4. Can I live an everyday life with IBD?

Yes, with proper management, including medication, a balanced inflammatory bowel disease diet, and lifestyle adjustments, many people with IBD can live a normal, everyday life.

References

• https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/ibd.html 

• https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd-center/education/diet-inflammatory-bowel-disease 

• https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/nutrition-tips-for-inflammatory-bowel-disease 

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