7 Foods to Skip If You Have IBD

When people are diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), one of the first questions they’re likely to ask their healthcare providers (HCPs) is, “What can I eat?” But the better question might be, “What can’t I eat?” While diet doesn’t cause ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, certain foods can be difficult to digest, and other foods can actually make your symptoms worse if your IBD is active. You should always talk to your HCP or dietitian before making big changes to your diet, but here’s a rundown of the most common IBD troublemakers.

Fried foods and other heavy, greasy meals should be limited by pretty much everybody because they’re high in calories and saturated fat. But if you’ve got IBD, they’re problematic for another reason. “Fatty foods are more difficult and slower to digest, and that often leads to stomach upset,” says Lori Woodward, RD, a nutritionist at Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates. And if you have Crohn’s disease, high-fat foods are also bothersome because you may not be able to properly digest fat, which can lead to diarrhea.

Raw food may be trendy among health-food advocates right now, but it’s high on the list of tricky foods if you have IBD. That’s because raw fruit and vegetables can lead to additional bloating, gas, and stomach pain, says Woodward. The biggest offenders are edible produce skins (such as the skin on apples or peaches) and anything in the cruciferous family, including cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.

Caffeine and alcohol aren’t recommended because both are stimulants, which means they can worsen some IBD symptoms, such as diarrhea and cramping. Sodas and other carbonated drinks are also on the “to be avoided” list because anything that introduces more gas into your digestive system can make you feel bad. The best drink for IBD? Good old H20, and plenty of it.

Your taste buds may be in heaven after a bite of buffalo wings, chicken vindaloo, or some other fiery feast. But if you’ve got IBD, chances are the rest of your GI tract won’t be loving it so much. The problem? Spicy foods are gastric stimulants (just like alcohol and caffeine) and can irritate your colon, says Woodward.

Walnuts, almonds, peanuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds: Nutritionists are usually big fans of these foods because they contain healthy fats and other beneficial phytonutrients. But they’re no-gos if you’re living with IBD, mainly because they’re difficult for your body to digest and can often cause cramping and bloating. Same goes for popcorn, especially because the hulls can further irritate your intestines.

Research suggests there’s little difference in dairy tolerance between people with IBD and those without IBD. But some people with IBD report that milk, cheese, and other dairy products make their symptoms worse, especially if they have Crohn’s disease (and may be lactose intolerant). Whether you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s, it’s worth testing to see how you feel when you avoid dairy for a week or two.

Keep in mind that the digestive process starts in your mouth, and the better you chew your food before you swallow it, the easier it will be for the rest of your digestive system to do its job. “Take time to slow down when you’re eating,” says Woodward. “After all, eating should be a relaxing activity.”