Diets That Assist With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Nordic Diet
The Nordic Diet shows promise for IBD management through its anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, fermented foods, and emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods. While research is still emerging, the diet's components have individually shown benefits in reducing intestinal inflammation and supporting gut barrier function. The diet's avoidance of processed foods and additives may reduce triggers that exacerbate IBD symptoms.
Key foods: Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring, fermented vegetables, berries, root vegetables, rapeseed oil, well-cooked whole grains like oats
How does Nordic Diet assist with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Omega-3 fatty acids compete with omega-6 fatty acids in inflammatory pathways, reducing production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes that drive intestinal inflammation. Fermented foods and diverse fiber sources support beneficial gut bacteria that produce anti-inflammatory metabolites like butyrate. Polyphenols from berries provide antioxidant protection to inflamed intestinal tissue and may help restore gut barrier integrity.
Paleo Diet
The Paleo Diet may help some individuals with IBD by removing potential dietary triggers and providing anti-inflammatory nutrients, though evidence is limited and individual responses vary. The elimination of grains, legumes, and dairy removes compounds that may exacerbate intestinal inflammation in susceptible individuals. Some patients report reduced symptoms and improved quality of life, though the diet should be implemented under medical supervision.
Key foods: Bone broth, wild-caught fish high in omega-3s, well-cooked non-cruciferous vegetables, grass-fed meat, avocados, olive oil, cooked carrots and squash, bananas
How does Paleo Diet assist with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The diet reduces exposure to potentially inflammatory food components including gluten, lectins, and casein that may worsen intestinal inflammation in IBD patients. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish provide anti-inflammatory eicosanoids that can help modulate the inflammatory cascade in the gut. The nutrient density supports healing while the elimination of processed foods reduces additives like emulsifiers and carrageenan that may disrupt the gut barrier.
Flexitarian Diet
The Flexitarian Diet may help some individuals with inflammatory bowel disease in remission by providing anti-inflammatory compounds and supporting a healthy microbiome, though individual tolerance to high-fiber foods varies significantly. The diet's emphasis on whole foods and avoidance of processed foods may reduce exposure to additives that can trigger inflammation. However, during active flares, the high fiber content may need to be modified, making this approach most suitable for maintenance of remission.
Key foods: Well-cooked vegetables, peeled fruits, white rice and refined grains during flares, smooth nut butters, tofu, omega-3 rich fish, cooked legumes (if tolerated), ginger
How does Flexitarian Diet assist with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Anti-inflammatory polyphenols from plant foods may help reduce intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress in the gut lining, while omega-3 fatty acids from fish and plant sources produce anti-inflammatory mediators that can help maintain remission. Certain fibers that are well-tolerated can feed beneficial bacteria producing butyrate, which serves as the primary fuel for colonocytes and has anti-inflammatory properties, though fiber type and amount must be individualized based on disease activity and tolerance.
Gluten-Free Diet
While not a primary treatment, some individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) report symptom improvement on a gluten-free diet, particularly those with concurrent gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, which occurs at higher rates in IBD patients. The diet may help reduce intestinal inflammation and improve gut barrier function in select patients. However, evidence is limited and individualized, and the diet should not replace standard IBD treatments but may serve as a complementary approach for those who respond positively.
Key foods: Easily digestible gluten-free grains like white rice, well-cooked quinoa, bananas, cooked carrots, salmon rich in omega-3s, bone broth, eggs, smooth nut butters
How does Gluten-Free Diet assist with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: In IBD patients with concurrent gluten sensitivity, gluten may exacerbate intestinal inflammation through increased intestinal permeability and immune activation. Removing gluten may reduce this additional inflammatory burden, though the primary inflammatory mechanisms of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis involve complex immune dysregulation that extends beyond gluten sensitivity. The benefit appears most significant in the subset of IBD patients with documented gluten-related disorders.
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet's anti-inflammatory properties and support for gut microbiome health make it a promising dietary approach for managing inflammatory bowel disease, though research is still emerging. The diet may help reduce inflammation, support intestinal healing, and extend periods of remission in IBD patients. Individual tolerance varies, and some modifications may be needed during active flares, particularly regarding fiber and raw vegetables.
Key foods: Extra virgin olive oil, cooked vegetables like zucchini and carrots, fatty fish like salmon, white rice and refined grains during flares, yogurt with probiotics, herbs like turmeric, well-cooked legumes, bananas
How does Mediterranean Diet assist with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Omega-3 fatty acids from fish and anti-inflammatory compounds from olive oil reduce intestinal inflammation by modulating inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin production in the gut lining. The diet supports beneficial gut bacteria that produce anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, which nourishes colonocytes and strengthens the intestinal barrier. Polyphenols from olive oil and other plant foods have direct anti-inflammatory effects on intestinal tissue and may help regulate immune responses in the gut, reducing autoimmune attacks on the intestinal wall.
Low-FODMAP Diet
While not a primary treatment for IBD, the Low-FODMAP diet can help manage functional gut symptoms that persist even when IBD is in remission, affecting up to 40% of IBD patients. It reduces bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort without compromising nutritional status or disease control. The diet is particularly useful for IBD patients who have overlapping IBS-like symptoms.
Key foods: Lactose-free dairy or aged cheddar cheese, gluten-free oats and quinoa, blueberries and oranges, cooked carrots and zucchini, well-cooked spinach, salmon and eggs, firm tofu, olive oil
How does Low-FODMAP Diet assist with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Many IBD patients develop visceral hypersensitivity and altered gut microbiota even during remission, making them susceptible to FODMAP-related symptoms. The diet reduces fermentation-induced distension and gas production that can trigger discomfort in an already sensitized gut. By limiting osmotic and fermentative effects, it helps distinguish between active inflammation and functional symptoms, allowing for better disease management.
Elimination Diet
The Elimination Diet can provide significant symptom relief for IBD patients by identifying and removing specific food triggers that exacerbate intestinal inflammation. The focus on easily digestible, anti-inflammatory whole foods reduces the burden on an already compromised digestive system. While not a cure, many IBD patients experience fewer flares, reduced pain, and improved nutrient absorption when following an individualized elimination protocol.
Key foods: Well-cooked white rice, steamed carrots and squash, bone broth, poached salmon, cooked spinach, coconut oil, ripe bananas, pureed sweet potatoes
How does Elimination Diet assist with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The diet removes foods that mechanically irritate inflamed intestinal tissue and those that trigger immune responses in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). By providing easily digestible nutrients and removing fermentable fibers during acute phases, the diet reduces bacterial fermentation products that can worsen inflammation. Anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids help modulate the inflammatory cascade in intestinal tissue.
Autoimmune Protocol (AIP)
AIP diet can help manage symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases by reducing dietary triggers, healing the gut lining, and providing anti-inflammatory nutrients. It addresses both symptom management and potential root causes of intestinal inflammation.
Key foods: Bone broth, grass-fed lamb, wild-caught fish, fermented foods, coconut oil, turmeric, ginger, leafy green vegetables
How does Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) assist with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The diet reduces intestinal inflammation by removing potential irritants, providing healing nutrients like glutamine and collagen, and supporting a balanced immune response in the digestive tract.