There are two main types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. They are both autoimmune diseases in which the lining of the intestine becomes inflamed. The cause is unknown and the treatment depends on the type of IBD you have and which part of the gut is affected. There is no special diet but it is essential to see an experienced dietitian at the time of your diagnosis as nutrient deficiencies such as iron, folate, B12, and Vitamin D are common in IBD.
During flare ups when inflammation is present a low residue diet is often recommended until the symptoms settle. When the disease in inactive a normal healthy diet is recommended.
For some people gastrointestinal symptoms persist despite inactive disease and this may mean that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also present. In this case dietary strategies that alleviate IBS are often beneficial.