What Should I Eat During an IBD Flare?
An Essential Nutrition Guide for Managing Symptoms
Managing your diet during an IBD flare is key to reducing symptoms and supporting recovery. Here’s what you need to know:
- Food matters: The right foods can help calm inflammation and provide essential nutrients.
- Listen to your body: Recognize your symptoms and adjust your diet as needed.
- Digestive challenges: Flares can make it harder to tolerate certain foods.
- Simple changes help: Small tweaks in what you eat or how you prepare meals can make a big difference.
Importance of Nutrition During a Flare
Nutrition is critical for managing IBD. Proper nutrition has also been shown to help medications work more effectively at managing symptoms and maintaining remission. During a flare, food choices are extra important as the body needs extra nutrients to fight inflammation and heal tissue. Maintaining a balanced diet during a flare:
- allows the body to heal and regain strength
- addresses nutritional deficiencies linked to malabsorption
- can lessen the frequency and severity of flares
- supports the immune system.
On the other hand, poor food choices can worsen symptoms and prolong flares. Choosing the right foods empowers you to manage your IBD proactively.
Best Ways to Prepare and Cook Food During a Flare
It's essential to prioritize easily digestible foods that provide the nutrients your body currently needs while being gentle on your digestive system. Consider these cooking methods during this time to help ease digestion:
- Steaming- Steaming retains nutrients while softening vegetables, making them easier to digest. This method is excellent for fibrous vegetables that are tough when raw.
- Baking- Baking is a healthy cooking option that preserves flavors without overwhelming the gut. Use gentle seasoning to avoid excess irritation.
- Boiling and Simmering- Cooking methods like boiling or simmering can help soften grains, legumes, and proteins, making them more gentle on the digestive system.
- Slow cooking or Pressure cooking - This method can save time and reduce energy expenditure, as most meals can be made in one pot.
- Avoid Frying- Fried foods can add unhealthy fats and oils, so aim for baking, steaming, or boiling to ensure better digestive health.
In addition to choosing gentle cooking methods, how you prepare your ingredients can make a big difference in how well you tolerate them during a flare. Simple preparation techniques can help reduce roughage, break down fibers, and make foods easier on your digestive system. Consider the following tips:
- Peeling and removing skins and/or seeds- some fruits and vegetables can be easily altered to remove the roughage, making them easier to digest.
- Soaking - Beans, legumes, and nuts can be soaked in water for a minimum of 8 hours, or overnight, to lessen digestive symptoms.
- Blending- Make soups and smoothies in a blender to help break down food particles, making it easier for your body to digest. Nuts can also be blended into a nut butter for easier digestion.
- Juicing - Vegetable juices can provide many nutrients without the roughage. Start with a small amount to ensure you tolerate it well, as vegetable juices can sometimes cause an increase in diarrhea if drunk in large amounts.
Simplify Meal Planning
When you're feeling unwell, complex meal planning can add to the stress. Batch cooking larger portions of easier-to-digest meals can save you time and provide a nutritious meal during a flare. Often, these foods freeze well, allowing you to have ready-to-eat meals when your energy levels are low. Consider the following options:
- Broths and Soups: Homemade broths and soups can be soothing and hydrating.
- Rice, mashed potatoes, or squash: These starchy choices are gentle on the digestive system, easy to prepare in large quantities, and pair well with a protein source.
- Roast a variety of vegetables: pick several types of easily digestible vegetables (like carrots, green beans, turnips, broccoli, asparagus, or zucchini) and roast in the oven to pair with a variety of meals.
- Baked Proteins: Lightly seasoned chicken, ground beef, or fish can be baked in the oven and stored for later as a healthy protein source. Ready-made meatballs are a great way to store ground poultry, turkey, or beef in the freezer.
- Egg and veggie frittata - Using a casserole dish filled with healthy protein and cooked vegetables, an egg frittata can be easily reheated for many nourishing meals throughout the week.
- Smoothies and yogurt - These can be quickly thrown together and paired with some low-roughage fruit, like banana or berries, for a quick, nourishing meal.
Hydration Matters During a Flare
Proper hydration is vital during an IBD flare. Diarrhea can easily lead to dehydration, so it is advisable to aim for at least 8-10 cups of water per day. Soups, smoothies, teas, and enteral nutrition supplements can all count towards your hydration goals. Hydrating foods such as melons can also help keep you hydrated. Decaffeinated teas such as peppermint and ginger have been shown to help improve digestion and reduce abdominal spasms. Consider supplementing with electrolytes if needed to help replenish lost minerals.
Tips for Making Changes During a Flare
If you suspect a change in your digestive symptoms or feel that you are in the beginning stages of a flare, the first step should be to simplify your diet. Begin with a smaller menu of gentle foods and gradually add variety per your tolerance. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can ease the digestive load. This approach not only minimizes symptoms but also helps sustain energy levels throughout the day.
Listen to your body and pay careful attention to the cues it is giving you. If certain foods consistently cause discomfort, avoid them, even if they are generally healthy choices. Monitor your symptoms and track how different foods affect you to identify any potential triggers. Adjust as necessary and make changes based on your evolving symptoms.
What Should I Eat or Avoid During an IBD Flare?
Certain foods are easier on your digestive system and have also been shown to help reduce inflammation. Focusing on whole, nutrient-dense food will give your body the essential nutrients that it needs to heal. Many fruits and vegetables have beneficial phytochemicals, which are naturally occurring compounds found in plants. They have numerous health benefits that may play a role in decreasing inflammation and promoting cellular healing in the intestines.
Other foods have been shown to be irritating to the digestive system, especially during flares.
Which Foods Should I Eat During an IBD Flare?
Below is a list of some of the recommended foods to incorporate into your diet during this time. This list may be unique for individuals based on your tolerance, so go slow when identifying which foods you tolerate well that do not increase your symptoms.
Low-Fiber Fruits
- Ripe bananas
- Melons
- Canned peaches, no added sugar
- Peeled apples or applesauce
- Cooked or pureed fruit
Well-Cooked Vegetables
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Squash
- Pumpkin
- Green Beans
Lean Proteins
- Chicken or turkey
- Lean ground beef
- Fish, especially fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and mackerel
- Eggs
- Tofu
Healthy fats
- Creamy all-natural Nut butters
- Olive Oil
- Avocados
- Flaxseed oil and flaxseed meal
Dairy Alternatives
Some individuals with IBD may find some types of dairy intolerable during a flare. Consider:
- Milk alternatives such as nut milk or light coconut milk (Look for brands without additives, such as guar gum. The ingredients list should only contain water with nuts or coconut).
- Lactose-free yogurt
- Hard and aged cheeses (which are lower in lactose)
- Sheep or goat milk products may be better tolerated than cow’s milk.
Which Foods Should I Avoid During an IBD Flare?
These categories of foods may increase inflammation and should be limited or avoided to help aid in the recovery process.
Ultra-Processed Foods
These are packaged foods that are created industrially and are designed to have a long shelf life. The ingredient lists tend to be long, with many unrecognizable additives and preservatives. Some common examples include:
- Breakfast cereals, crackers, and granola bars
- Processed meats such as hot dogs or sausages
- Mass-produced bread and pastries
- Cookies and candy
Find more information on understanding ingredients and how to decipher a product’s nutrition label in our Reading Food Labels resource.
Dairy and High-Lactose Foods
- Cow’s milk or cream
- High-lactose yogurt
- Fresh cheeses such as mozzarella and ricotta
Sugary Foods
- Fast food
- Sugary snacks and desserts
- Soda and sweetened drinks
- Many processed foods
Caffeine and Alcohol
- Coffees, teas, soda, beer, wine, and spirits
Explore our recipe page for foods specifically appropriate for IBD flares, featuring smooth, soft, and easy-to-digest options with modified textures.
Navigating nutrition during an IBD flare may seem overwhelming at first. However, with a solid understanding of what foods can help and the importance of balanced nutrition, individuals can reduce symptoms, promote healing, and improve their quality of life. Prioritizing easily digestible foods, staying hydrated, and respecting your body's signals can be effective strategies for managing IBD flares.
It is always advisable to consult a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for personalized recommendations tailored to your unique needs. Remember, everyone's experience with IBD is unique, and finding the right foods for your body is central to managing this condition effectively.
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