Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
Bowel Disease: Changing Your Diet
Some foods may make your symptoms worse, especially during a flare-up. For many people, common problem foods include:
- Dairy products for people who are lactose-intolerant.
- High-fiber foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Often people have the most problems with gas-producing foods, such as beans, cabbage, broccoli, and onions, or foods with hulls, such as seeds, nuts, and corn.
- High-fat foods, such as fried foods, butter and margarine, mayonnaise, peanut butter, nuts, ice cream, and fatty cuts of red meat.
- Spicy foods.
- Foods with caffeine, such as chocolate and coffee.
- Carbonated drinks.
- Alcohol.
Test Your Knowledge
Dairy foods are a problem for everyone with inflammatory bowel disease.
TrueSome people with inflammatory bowel disease are lactose-intolerant and will do better if they avoid dairy products. If you think they make your symptoms worse, you may want to work with your doctor to find out if you are lactose-intolerant. If you aren't, you may be able to have dairy products when your disease is under control. Dairy products are a good source of calcium and protein.
FalseSome people with inflammatory bowel disease are lactose-intolerant and will do better if they avoid dairy products. If you think they make your symptoms worse, you may want to work with your doctor to find out if you are lactose-intolerant. If you aren't, you may be able to have dairy products when your disease is under control. Dairy products are a good source of calcium and protein.
Continue to 
Why is it important to pay attention to what you eat?
Return to 
Bowel Disease: Changing Your Diet
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: October 8, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
from
- Facebook is now fueling organ donations
- Military women and suicide: Home safe but not sound
- Still in gear: Injuries don’t stop veterans on 100-day bike trek
- Ask Jenna: I've hit a weight loss plateau. What do I do?
- He poses in a tutu to laugh in face of wife's cancer
- After chemo hair loss, 'henna crowns' help heal
The iVillage Network