Dr. Elizabeth Squirell · Gastroenterologist · Kingston Health Sciences Centre
Ultra-processed foods and IBD
What ultra-processed foods are, what research really shows about them and IBD, and simple steps you can take without a strict diet.
Key points
- Large studies link eating a lot of ultra-processed food with a higher chance of getting Crohn's disease. A link is not proof that the food causes it.
- Food is not a replacement for your IBD medicine. Keep taking it as prescribed.
- Cook more meals from whole foods, like vegetables, fruit, beans, whole grains, eggs, fish and plain meat.
- You don't need to be perfect. Swap one or two packaged foods a week for home-made ones.
- If you want to cut back on emulsifiers, check ingredient lists for carboxymethylcellulose (cellulose gum), polysorbate 80 and carrageenan.
- Don't cut out whole food groups on your own. Ask for a dietitian if you are losing weight or avoiding many foods.
Go to emergency or call 911 if you have
- Heavy bleeding from your bottom, or you feel faint
- Severe belly pain that does not settle
- A fever with belly pain
- Vomiting, and you cannot keep fluids down