6 Types of Foods That Help Heal Colon Inflammation From IBD

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When a healthcare professional diagnoses you with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), this means you have inflammation of the colon. Colon inflammation is when you have swollen, irritated, and damaged tissue inside the colon, Samuel Akinyeye, MD, a gastroenterologist at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told GoodRx Health. Two chronic conditions fall under the IBD umbrella: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

No matter the condition that causes colon inflammation, one thing is certain: There may be some foods that just don't agree with your gut. The good news is, there are nutritious options that may help alleviate symptoms and improve your condition. Diet can play an important role in your colon inflammation treatment plan. Let's look at types of foods that can help calm an inflamed colon.

What foods can ease colon inflammation?

Wondering how to calm inflamed intestines? There's no shortage of foods that may help alleviate colon inflammation, said Megan Hilbert, RDN. Your food choices may help you keep inflammation down between flare-ups, and may help ease symptoms during a flare-up. But ultimately, your nutritional needs are unique to you.

Keeping a symptom diary or food journal can help you identify which foods sit better with you and which ones trigger colon inflammation. Despite our best efforts, it can be hard to remember everything you eat throughout the day. Keeping a food journal can help you keep track of what you're eating and may help associate certain foods with your symptoms.

It's important to talk to a healthcare professional before completely eliminating certain foods from your diet. They may suggest alternative foods or medications to supplement and ensure that you're getting the needed nutrients.

Here are just a few categories of foods that may help improve or offset IBD symptoms.

1. Fruit

Eating fruit that's ripe or cooked down may be easier to digest. Similarly, removing the skins on certain fruits can help reduce fibers that are harder to digest. Some fruits to try include:

• Peeled peaches or nectarines

• Cooked or pureed skinless apples

• Ripe bananas

• Cantaloupe

• Honeydew melon

• Watermelon

• Applesauce

• Pureed pumpkin

Diluted fruit juices are another form of fruit that may be easy to digest if you have colon inflammation. Watering down fruit juice can help you lower your sugar intake. This is important, because too much sugar in your diet may lead to watery stools during a flare-up. Watered-down fruit juice is also lighter on your digestive tract.

2. Well-cooked vegetables

Hilbert said that many of her clients with IBD prefer to center their meals on cooked vegetables, such as pureed or broth-based soups. These veggie options can also help to replenish water lost through loose stools. Some vegetable options are:

• Boiled green beans

• Soft carrots

• Pureed squash

• Steamed or boiled skinless potatoes

• Steamed asparagus

3. Lean proteins

Eating protein-rich foods helps you feel full and satisfied, which can be especially helpful after a bowel movement. But that isn't the only benefit when you have a condition that causes colon inflammation.

"Since protein is important for gut lining function, getting enough protein in the diet is essential," Hilbert said. Research suggests that when protein is digested, it produces compounds linked to healthy gut bacteria growth and improved bowel health.

But colon inflammation flare-ups are often accompanied by protein loss through diarrhea, openings in the intestine, and bleeding. This makes it all the more important to replenish your protein with quality sources.

Consider adding the following proteins to your plate:

• Chicken or turkey (without skin)

• Cooked tofu

• Eggs

• Plain Greek yogurt

4. Oily fish

Oily fish and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also linked to lower inflammation in the body. Hilbert said these foods may help by "turning off the inflammatory response and turning on a healing tissue response in cells."

Research around omega-3 fatty acids' ability to prevent or soothe IBD-specific symptoms remains mixed. However, if you enjoy and can tolerate eating oily fish, it can be a nourishing option to add to your diet.

Fish rich in omega-3s include:

• Salmon

• Sardines

• Tuna

• Mackerel

• Anchovies

• Herring

• Whitefish

• Striped bass

• Black cod

• Cobia

5. Smooth nut butter and ground seeds

Hilbert emphasized that you may want to avoid whole nuts and seeds when your gastrointestinal (GI) tract is inflamed. When you eat those foods whole, it takes more effort for the body to break them down. Instead, opt for nut or seed butter or ground seeds. Some examples include:

• Ground flaxseed

• Ground chia seeds

• Creamy sunflower seed butter

• Creamy peanut butter

These nuts and seeds are high in monounsaturated fat. Research suggests these fats may help lower inflammation in people with IBD.

6. Certain starchy foods

Starchy foods can be a light, yet nourishing option if you have colon inflammation. In addition to potatoes, here are other starchy foods to consider:

• Oatmeal (instant or old-fashioned oats)

• Rice

• White noodles

• Bread (sourdough or white)

What foods should you avoid if you have colon inflammation from IBD?

There are several types of foods that Hilbert and Akinyeye recommend avoiding, especially during an IBD flare-up. These foods and drinks may cause digestive discomfort or increase inflammation:

• Whole nuts

• Most raw fruits and vegetables

• Fried foods or foods high in fat

• Highly processed foods

• Alcohol

• Caffeine

• Foods high in added sugar, including pastries, candy, and sugary drinks

• Sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners

• Certain dairy products, such as milk and soft cheeses

• Certain whole grains that are higher in fiber, such as rye and barley

• Spicy foods

Should you eat fiber if you're having a flare-up?

When you're experiencing an IBD flare-up, Akinyeye suggested avoiding foods that are high in fiber. Too much fiber can potentially irritate the colon further. However, he said that eating some fiber shouldn't cause discomfort.

Hilbert agreed that eating some fiber during a flare-up is OK. But stay away from foods that are high in insoluble fiber during flare-ups (like raw broccoli or unpeeled apples). Insoluble fiber doesn't break down in water and increases stool bulk, which stimulates the colon to pass waste.

On the other hand, soluble fiber can help prevent diarrhea. It does this by soaking up excess water in loose stool, which may help reduce the need to go to the bathroom. Some sources of soluble fiber include oranges, oats, and flaxseeds.

"In the past, providers have usually told patients to avoid all kinds of fiber," Hilbert said. "While more research is needed in this area, lower fiber is not necessarily better for flare-ups."

"We see that there are potential benefits to eating soluble fibers for patients with IBD," she said. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, eating fiber may also help increase the time between flare-ups. In other words, fiber may help delay the onset of your next flare-up.

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