What to eat during an IBD flare: a dietitians guide + 3-day meal plan
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Knowing what to eat during a flare is one of the most confusing parts of living with IBD. Trying to find foods which don’t make you feel worse but give you enough energy to get through your day can feel impossible. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
As an IBD dietitian, I help people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis find a clear plan to follow to get them through a flare without second-guessing everything they eat. So let’s look at the best foods to eat during an IBD flare.
What are the most important things to consider during an IBD flare?
Providing sufficient fuel
Adapting foods for comfort
Staying hydrated
When going though a flare, it can be really tempting to stop eating, especially if your appetite is poor. But when your gut is inflamed your body needs more nutrition, not less. If you can, try and eat regular meals and snacks which have a good balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats. Adapting your diet by reducing triggers is a better way of managing symptoms, without restriction. Lastly, make sure you are drinking plenty of fluid to stay hydrated, especially if you are experiencing watery stools. If you have severe diarrhoea, you may need electrolytes.
What are the best foods to eat during an IBD flare?
The best foods to eat during an IBD flare are foods which are nourishing but also easy to digest.
Focus on:
Lean protein, such as chicken, fish, eggs, tofu and low-fat dairy*
Easy-to-digest carbohydrates for energy, such as white pasta, rice, or bread as well as oats, quinoa or couscous
Healthy fats, such as olive oil and avocado
Gentle fibre sources (see below)
*during an IBD flare some people are unable to tolerate dairy temporarily
Should I reduce or cut out fibre?
You may have been told to limit or even cut out high fibre foods, especially if you are in a flare. But this isn’t necessary. Foods such as wholegrain carbohydrates, fruits, vegetable, pulses, nuts and seeds are anti-inflammatory. Therefore, cutting these out, especially in the longterm, can do more harm the good.
Adapting the texture or consistency of some of these foods can make them easier to digest:
Vegetables: Peel, cook, mash or blend into soups
Fruit: Peel, cook, mash or blitz into smoothies
Nuts/seeds: Choose nut butter rather than whole
Beans and pulses: Try hummus or bean dips, or blend beans into soups and sauces
Trigger foods
Some foods can make symptoms worse during a flare. Try limiting caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods and greasy foods. Sometimes dairy, especially high fat dairy can trigger symptoms, but not in everyone. If you struggle to manage dairy, try changing to plant-based alternatives such as soy, oat and almond - make sure these are fortified with calcium.
Summary:
Navigating your diet during a flare can be confusing and scary, but over-restricting your diet is not the answer. Try and continue to eat regular, balanced meals which give you enough fuel, while adapting texture or consistency to make these easier to digest. Limiting common trigger foods can also help reduce symptoms.
After a flare it is very important to reintroduce any foods you may have restricted and build back up to a diet which is beneficial for remission.
Your 3 -day flare-friendly meal plan
Day 1:
Breakfast: Oat porridge (approx 40-50g oats) with semi-skimmed milk (or fortified plant-based alternative).
Top with 1 peeled and stewed apple, a pinch of cinnamon, a drizzle of of honey and a tablespoon of nut butter
Lunch: Vegetable soup (homemade or fresh) blended until smooth with white bread or sourdough
Evening: Pesto chicken pasta with well-cooked broccoli
Day 2:
Breakfast: Banana and blueberry smoothie
Lunch: Scrambled egg or tofu on white bread or sourdough
Evening: Baked salmon with boiled potatoes and well cooked green beans
Day 3:
Breakfast: Chocolate baked oats
Lunch: Avocado and feta toast (on white or sourdough bread)
Evening: Vegetarian shepherds pie
Snacks:
Greek yoghurt and banana
Crumpets with smooth nut butter
White crackers with hummus
Low roughage fruit portion e.g. melon, banana, papaya, mango
Fruit smoothie
White rice cakes topped with avocado
Nutrition with B - Nutrition support for Crohn’s and Colitis
Navigating your diet with IBD can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. I help people with IBD reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life through practical and sustainable nutrition advice and support.
Book your free discovery call now to start your journey towards taking control of your diet.
