"There are certain foods you may want to avoid when you are in an IBD flare, and others that may help you get the right amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals without making your symptoms worse.
Your healthcare team may put you on an elimination diet, in which you avoid certain foods in order to identify which trigger symptoms. This process will help you identify common foods to avoid during a flare. Elimination diets should only be done under the supervision of your healthcare team and a dietitian so they can make sure you are still receiving the necessary nutrients.
Some foods may trigger cramping, bloating, and/or diarrhea. Many trigger foods should also be avoided if you have been diagnosed with a stricture, a narrowing of the intestine caused by inflammation or scar tissue, or have had a recent surgery. Certain foods can be easier to digest and can provide you with the necessary nutrients your body needs."
Potential Trigger Foods | Foods IBD Patients May Tolerate |
Insoluble fiber foods that are hard to digest: fruits with skin and seeds, raw green vegetables (especially cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, or anything with a peel), whole nuts, and whole grains | Low-fiber fruits: bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and cooked fruits. This is typically recommended in patients who have strictures or have had a recent surgery |
Lactose: sugar found in dairy, such as milk, cream cheese, and soft cheeses | Lean protein: fish, lean cuts of pork, white meat poultry, soy, eggs, and firm tofu |
Non-absorbable sugars: sorbitol, mannitol, and other sugar alcohols found in sugar-free gum, candy, ice cream, and certain types of fruits and juices such as pear, peach, and prune | Refined grains: sourdough, potato or gluten-free bread, white pasta, white rice, and oatmeal |
Sugary foods: pastries, candy, and juices | Fully cooked, seedless, skinless, non-cruciferous vegetables: asparagus tips, cucumbers, potatoes, and squash |
High fat foods: butter, coconut, margarine, and cream, as well as fatty, fried, or greasy food | Oral nutritional supplements or homemade protein shakes: ask your doctor or your dietitian about what supplements may fit your nutritional needs |
Alcohol and caffeinated drinks: beer, wine, liquor, soda, and coffee |
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Spicy foods: “hot” spices |
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References:
1. https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/diet-and-nutrition/what-should-i-eat