Some foods may make your symptoms worse, especially during a flare-up. For many people, common problem foods include:

• Dairy products for people who are Reference lactose-intolerant Opens New Window.
• High-fiber foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Often people have the most problems with gas-producing foods, such as beans, cabbage, broccoli, and onions, or foods with hulls, such as seeds, nuts, and corn.
• High-fat foods, such as fried foods, butter and margarine, mayonnaise, peanut butter, nuts, ice cream, and fatty cuts of red meat.
• Spicy foods.
• Foods with caffeine, such as chocolate and coffee.
• Carbonated drinks.
• Alcohol.

What you eat does not increase the inflammation that causes your disease. But some types of foods, such as high-fiber fruits and vegetables, may make your symptoms worse. This is especially true during a flare-up. As a result, you may be tempted not to eat these foods at all. But that can make it hard to get the nutrients you need to stay healthy.

A better idea is to keep a food diary to find out which foods cause problems for you. Then you can avoid those foods and choose others that supply the same nutrients. Foods that cause symptoms during a flare-up may not bother you at other times.

To learn more about nutrients and the types and amounts of food you need to be healthy, see the topic Reference Healthy Eating.

No one diet is right for everyone with an inflammatory bowel disease. Foods that bother one person may not bother another. Your diet has to be tailored for you. But the following basic ideas can help you feel better and get the nutrition you need.

Find your problem foods

Find out your problem foods by keeping a food diary. As soon as you know what foods make your symptoms worse, your doctor or dietitian can help you plan a diet that avoids problem foods but gives you plenty of nutrients and enough calories to keep you at a healthy weight.

To make a food diary, get a small notebook and keep it with you. Make notes after each meal or snack.

• On the left side of the page, write down what you ate, about how much of each food you had, and what time you ate. Be honest—write down everything.
• On the right side of the page, note any symptoms you had and what time they occurred.

If you notice certain foods make your symptoms worse, talk to your doctor about these foods at your next visit.

Make smart food choices

During a flare-up, avoid or reduce foods that make symptoms worse. But instead of cutting out a whole group of high-nutrient foods, try replacing them with healthy choices.

• Choose dairy products that are low in Reference lactose Opens New Window, such as yogurt or hard cheeses like cheddar. Or try drinking lactose-reduced milk.
• If you are having fat in your stools, 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 diet lean hamburger), 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 them, 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

Your body may not be able to absorb all the nutrients it needs from the food you eat. To stay as healthy as you can:

• 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.
• Drink plenty of fluids. This can help you avoid Reference dehydration Opens New Window, kidney problems, and Reference gallstones Opens New Window.
• See your doctor or dietitian if your diet feels too limited or you are losing weight.

Now that you have read this information, you are ready to follow an eating plan for inflammatory bowel disease.

Talk with your doctor

If you have questions about this information, take it with you when you visit your doctor or dietitian. You may want to mark areas or make notes in the margins where you have questions.

If you would like more information on inflammatory bowel diseases, the following resources are available:

For more information on nutrition, see the topic Reference Healthy Eating.

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