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IBD High Fiber Diet

IBD, or irritable bowel disease, is a group of diseases that affect the intestines and digestive systems. The most common forms of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Both of these conditions cause the intestines to bleed and to develop ulcers, and the most common symptoms of both diseases are abdominal pain, cramping and fatigue. Because of the nature of IBD, diet is very important in managing symptoms. An increase of fiber in a diet can bring relief.

  1. Increasing Fiber in the Diet

    • Increasing the level of fiber in your diet is easier than you think. Adding fiber to your diet will help your body pass food through the digestive tract more easily, helping it to function properly. The recommended daily amount of fiber ranges from 21 to 25 grams per day for women and 30 to 38 grams per day for men. Ideally, fiber should be added gradually to the diet, in order to avoid intestinal upset, such as diarrhea and constipation. In particular, dried fruits, such as apricots, dates, prunes and raisins, are a tasty way to add fiber to your diet. When choosing fruits and vegetables, try to pick out a variety a different ones and in different colors. Americans tend to eat only green vegetables; why not introduce yellow and red peppers or eggplant to your diet?

    Types of Fiber

    • There are two types of fiber: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber can relieve the symptoms of both diarrhea and constipation. It dissolves in water and forms a gel-like material. Insoluble fiber, as its name implies, doesn't dissolve in the intestinal tract and is passed through the bowels. High-fiber foods include fruits and vegetables, whole grain cereals and pastas, and legumes, nuts and seeds.

    Tips

    • When increasing the amount of fiber in your daily diet, it is important to remember to drink a lot of fluid--ideally eight to ten servings daily--to promote hydration and help prevent constipation that can sometimes occur when you add fiber too quickly to a diet. If you are suffering from an IBD flare-up, you should also try to cut back a bit and limit high-fiber foods to help give your bowel a rest. Additionally, it is important to read the labels of the food that you are buying to check the fiber content of the foods that you are buying. Be especially wary of foods marked as "whole grain." Some manufacturers advertise their food as being "whole grain" when in fact the products aren't particularly high in fiber.

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