Most Common Trigger Foods in IBD

When I first speak with new potential clients during my free 20 minute enquiry calls I very regularly hear people say something like “this might sound silly but I can’t seem to be able to tolerate (insert food type)…”. Invariably the food they mention comes from a small number of options and its lead me to write this blog and share the evidence we have about perceived trigger foods in IBD.

Everyone with Crohn’s and Colitis is different and there is no one size fits all when it comes to diet and IBD. However, studies have shown that there are some foods and drinks that may more commonly trigger symptoms than others.  

There are over 10 studies which have looked into food preferences and perceptions of trigger foods and drinks in people with IBD.

I have gone through these studies and found the foods that appeared most often as perceived symptom triggers:

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Key Points when considering Trigger Foods in IBD

  1. Do not remove food groups without the support from a nutritionist or dietician as this can increase your likelihood of nutrient deficiencies.

  2. If you do remove a single food make sure you replace it with something similar to reduce the risk of nutrient deficiency and to maintain enjoyment of food.

  3. Often its not necessary to remove a food group and instead just changing the type of food, swapping for a similar alternative, changing the texture, or altering a component in the food can make it much better tolerated in IBD - a nutritionist or dietician can help to guide you on how to do this most effectively.

  4. If there is active inflammation foods, no matter what they are, may trigger symptoms - but there are ways we can make foods less symptom triggering during flares.

  5. Our tolerance to food in a flare and in remission will be very different.

  6. Symptoms can occur WITHOUT active inflammation; Just because you experience pain or discomfort when eating a food it does not necessarily mean it has triggered inflammation. Intestinal symptoms can occur in the absence of inflammation if we are intolerant to that food, the food contains an ingredient known to cause symptoms in IBD, if we have not eaten a food for a while, or our gut/gut microbiota is not used to it (common with fibre containing foods if someone has been following a low fibre diet).

  7. Symptoms are not always related to food; Stress can be a factor that can trigger intestinal symptoms so its important not to ignore other factors that may be at play.

If you’d like help with your IBD, lets have a chat. You can book a (free) 20 minute no obligation phone call with me to find out how I can help you. During this call I’d love to hear about you; your journey, your struggles, your life, and we can chat about the best route forward for you. Whether you are right at the beginning of your journey or have had IBD for years I can help.

If that sounds interesting click below and find a time that works for you.

Disclaimer: All content found on the nalmclinic.com website, including: text, video, or other formats have been created for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor, consultant or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

We are all wonderfully unique and what works for one person may not work for another so please seek help and advice before changing your diet to work out the right way forward for you.

References

Green, T.J., Issenman, R.M., Jacobson, K. (1998). Patients’ diets and preferences in a pediatric population with inflammatory bowel disease. Canadian Journal ofGastroenterology, 12(8): 544-9. doi: 10.1155/1998/928706

Jowett, S.L.,Seal, C.J., Phillips, E., Gregory, W., Barton, J.R., Welfare, M.R. (2004). Dietary beliefs of people with ulcerative colitis and their effect on relapse and nutrient intake. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 23(2):161-70. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5614(03)00132-8 

Triggs, C.M., Munday, K., Hu, R., Fraser, A.G.,Gearry, R.B., Barclay, M.L., Ferguson, L.R. (2010). Dietary factors in chronic inflammation: food tolerances and intolerances of a New Zealand Caucasian Crohn's disease population. Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 690(1-2): 123-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2010.01.020

Zallot, C., Quilliot, D., Chevaux,J.B., Peyrin-Biroulet, C., Guéant-Rodriguez, R.M., Freling, E., Collet-Fenetrier,B., Williet, N., Ziegler, O., Bigard, M.A., Guéant, J.L., Peyrin-Biroulet, L. (2013).Dietary Beliefs and Behavior Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 19(1),66–72. https://doi.org/10.1002/ibd.22965

Cohen, A. B., Lee, D., Long,M. D., Kappelman, M. D., Martin, C. F., Sandler, R. S., & Lewis, J. D.(2013). Dietary patterns and self-reported associations of diet with symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. Digestive diseases and sciences, 58(5),1322–1328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2373-3

Hou, J. K., Lee, D., &Lewis, J. (2014). Diet and inflammatory bowel disease: review of patient-targeted recommendations. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the AmericanGastroenterological Association, 12(10), 1592–1600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2013.09.063

Vagianos, K., Clara, I., Carr, R., Graff, L.A.,Walker, J.R., Targownik, L.E., Lix, L.M., Rogala, L., Miller, N., Bernstein,C.N. (2016). What Are Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Eating? A Closer Look at the Dietary Habits of a Population-Based Canadian IBD Cohort. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 340(3): 405-11. doi: 10.1177/0148607114549254.

Limdi, J.K., Aggarwal, D., McLaughlin, J.T. (2016). Dietary Practices and Beliefs in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 22(1):164 170. 
‍https://doi.org/10.1097/MIB.0000000000000585

Pituch-Zdanowska, A., Kowalska-Duplaga,K., Jarocka-Cyrta, E., Stawicka, A., Dziekiewicz, M., Banaszkiewicz, A. (2019).Dietary Beliefs and Behaviors Among Parents of Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Journal of Medicinal Food, 22(8): 817-822. http://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2018.0206

De Vries, J., Dijkhuizen,M., Tap, P., & Witteman, B. (2019). Patient's Dietary Beliefs and Behaviours in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Digestive diseases (Basel,Switzerland), 37(2), 131–139. https://doi.org/10.1159/000494022

Clemmie Macpherson