Dietary Guidance for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Patient Guideline Summary

Publication Date: February 14, 2020
Last Updated: November 28, 2023

Objective

Objective

This patient summary means to discuss key recommendations from the IOIBD, the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease for Dietary Guidance for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Overview

Overview

  • Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are serious inflammatory diseases of the bowels.
  • There is not a lot of information available on dietary influences that affect inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This Guideline presents the best current evidence.
  • There are no known causes for IBD.
  • Symptoms include diarrhea, bloating, cramping, gas, fever, bowel bleeding, abdominal pain, weight loss, and anemia.
  • This patient summary focuses on dietary components that may be prudent to increase or decrease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Dietary Guidance

Dietary Guidance

Dietary components for inflammatory bowel disease 

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Dietary components Ulcerative colitis Crohn’s disease
Prudent to increase
  • Dietary omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) from marine fish
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
Prudent to reduce/limit
  • Red/processed meat
  • Myristic acid (palm oil, coconut oil, dairy fats)
  • Maltodextrin-containing foods and artificial sweeteners
  • Carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80
  • Carrageenan
  • Titanium dioxide and sulfites
  • Saturated fats
  • Maltodextrin-containing foods and artificial sweeteners
  • Carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80
  • Carrageenan
  • Titanium dioxide and sulfites
Prudent to avoid
  • Unpasteurized dairy products
  • Trans fat
  • Dietary omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) from supplements
  • Unpasteurized dairy products
  • Trans fat

Abbreviations

  • DHA: Docosahexaenoic Acid
  • EPA: Eicosapentaenoic Acid
  • IBD: Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Source Citation

Levine, A., Rhodes, J. M., Lindsay, J. O., Abreu, M. T., Kamm, M. A., Gibson, P. R., … Lewis, J. D. (2020). Dietary Guidance for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease from the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.01.046

Disclaimer

The information in this patient summary should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.