Do I need to Avoid Gluten or Dairy if I have IBD?
If you have Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, you've probably heard that you should avoid gluten and/or dairy.
Maybe you've seen an influencer say they cut out gluten and "never felt better." Or someone in an online IBD support group insists that dairy is the reason for their flares.
And when you're already trying to figure out what you can and can't eat with IBD, it's easy to start wondering:
Should I be doing the same?
Could gluten or dairy be making my IBD worse?
Is this food causing my symptoms?
The internet is full of confident opinions about what you should and shouldn't eat with IBD. But when it comes to gluten and dairy, the answer isn't as simple as "avoid them."
Does gluten or dairy cause inflammation in IBD?
To keep it simple, there is currently no evidence to suggest that gluten or dairy cause or worsen inflammation in people with IBD.
Yep. That's right.
But what if gluten or dairy make me feel worse?
This is where things get a little more nuanced.
A food can trigger symptoms without actually causing inflammation or worsening your IBD.
In other words symptoms ≠ inflammation.
You might experience bloating, abdominal discomfort or changes in your bowel habits after eating a particular food, but that doesn't necessarily mean the food is causing an IBD flare or damaging your gut.
For some people, fructans, a type of fermentable carbohydrate found in wheat, and lactose, the naturally occurring sugar found in milk and some dairy products, can trigger uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms.
These symptoms are real, and they can be incredibly uncomfortable.
But there's a difference between:
"This food makes me feel uncomfortable."
and
"This food is causing inflammation and making my IBD worse."
So, should I avoid gluten or dairy if I have Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis?
If you tolerate gluten and dairy well, there's no reason to remove them from your diet simply because you have IBD. Both can provide important nutrients, and there's no need to unnecessarily restrict your diet or food choices.
However, if you do experience symptoms, remember that this doesn't necessarily mean those foods are causing inflammation. Instead of jumping straight to restriction, I encourage you to work with an IBD Dietitian to understand your individual tolerance and explore ways to include these foods without triggering symptoms.
This is what I help my clients with every day.
If you’d like personalised support, you can book an appointment or get in touch to learn more about working together.
This blog is for general information and is not a substitute for individualised medical or nutrition advice. If you have IBD and are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, please speak with your gastroenterologist or healthcare team.
