NUTRITION COUNSELING

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Nutrition Basics for IBD

"The IBD Diet" - unfortunately there is really no such diet. Diet is very individual for people with IBD. A general rule is that during a 'flair up' stick to a low residue diet which generally excludes raw vegetables, skins of fruit, seeds, nuts, popcorn and corn products. When you are in remission and are able to liberalize the foods you eat, consume a well balanced diet (as tolerated) including fruit, vegetables, lean meats, fish, grain, nut butters, dairy and cook using olive oil. Do not restrict the diet unnecessarily (ie: dairy, gluten...) as this may result in nutrient deficiencies, poor growth in children, weight loss in adults and children and/or malnutrition. If you are unable to tolerate a variety of fruit and vegetables in your diet on a daily basis a multivitamin/mineral supplement is recommended.

Below are some general informational guidelines. All patients should consult with their physician before commencing any dietary programs or changes.

Calories

Adults require 25 - 35 calories/kilogram/day of their Ideal Body Weight (2.2 kg = 1 pound).
Children have various calorie requirements based on their age, weight, height, gender and activity, but most children newly diagnosed with IBD are lacking at least 400 calories per day in their diets.

Protein

The recommended daily amount of protein needed for an average adult is 0.8 grams/kg/day, for most children the recommendation is ~1 gram/kg/day. People with IBD may require 50% more than the recommended daily amount of protein depending on their disease activity.

Calcium

(daily recommendation)
1 - 3 years: 500mg/day
4 - 8 years: 800mg/day
9 years: 1200mg/day
Prednisone: 1500mg/day

If you are unable to get the adequate amount of calcium from food, supplemental calcium is recommended. Calcium carbonate and calcium citrate are the best sources of calcium.

Vitamin D

Most people, regardless of age require 400 IU/day
People with active disease require at least 800 IU/day

Iron

(daily recommendation)
15mg/day for most people (30mg in pregnancy)
Supplementation (consult with your doctor): 1 - 3 mg/kg/day for children and 150 - 200mg/day for adults.

Zinc

(daily recommendation)
5 - 11mg/day (depending on age)
Supplementation (consult with your doctor): 0.5 - 1 mg/kg/day for children and 25 - 50 mg/day for adults.

Folic Acid

(daily recommendation)
200 - 400mcg/day (depending on age)
Supplement with 1 mg/day (prescription strength) if on Methotrexate or Sulfasalazine.

Vitamin B12

Supplementation may be recommended with ileal disease, resection of the ileum, bacterial overgrowth and/or a vegetarian diet.

For more information regarding IBDSF's nutritional counseling, please call contact Miriam Erdosi (714) 616-4692.

Meet Our Experts

Erin Feldman, RD, CSP has been providing nutrition counseling for patients at the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Cedars Sinai Medical Center for the past seven years.  Erin has spoken at several IBD related educational conferences and support groups in the Los Angeles area and is the author of the nutrition chapter in the 'Pocket Guide to Inflammatory Bowel Disease'.  She enjoys working with IBD patients of all ages in order to help them achieve optimal health through proper nutrition.