Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is anyone of a group of conditions where a person’s bowels and other parts of the digestive system are inflamed. This condition can lead to some pretty nasty symptoms that can become life threatening. Some of the worst symptoms, are the eventual formation of a hole in the lining of your gut and intestines. But for the majority of people, the symptoms such as, diarrhea, fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, cramping, blood in stool, reduced appetite, or unintended weight loss are much less severe.
Unfortunately, there is no actual cure for IBD at the moment. Researchers cannot even agree on the exact cause of IBD. All they know is that it is somewhat genetic and caused by environmental factors. Since there is no cure, you cannot actually fix IBD with your diet. But you can address its problematic symptoms using your diet. Keep on reading to see what makes the best diet for people suffering from IBD.
The Best Diet to Manage Inflammatory Bowel Disease
There is no single diet plan out there that suits everybody. Ultimately, you will have to develop the best diet for yourself. The best course of action when developing an IBD diet plan is to consult your doctor. That being said however, there are certain guidelines that everyone with IBD should adhere to:
- Stay hydrated – A person suffering from IBD should definitely make sure to drink 8-10 glasses of water daily. Staying hydrated will cut down on the inflammation.
- Eating carbohydrates with lots of soluble fiber (oatmeal, barley, legumes, whole grains, etc.).
- Consume lots of lean meat like fish, nuts, eggs, poultry, and soy.
- Eat healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids.
- Eat plenty of probiotics like yogurt and some other dairy products.
- Eat deep colored fruits and cooked veggies.