Most Common Symptom Trigger Drinks & Tasty Swaps

Everyone with Crohn’s and Colitis is different and there is no one size fits all when it comes to food, drinks and IBD. However, multiple studies have shown that there are some foods and drinks that may more commonly trigger symptoms than others in people with IBD.

If you do not experience symptoms when drinking these drinks, there is no need to swap them.

Please always consider the following:

  • If there is active inflammation in your bowel foods and drinks, no matter what they are, may trigger symptoms - but there are ways we can make foods less symptom triggering during flares.

  • Symptoms can occur without active inflammation; Just because we experience pain or discomfort when eating a food or drinking a drink it does not necessarily mean it has triggered inflammation or our IBD.

  • GI symptoms can occur in the absence of inflammation if we have not eaten a food for a while, our gut/gut microbiota is not used to it, or we are intolerant to it.

  • Different foods can cause symptoms for different reasons, e.g. lactose in dairy, and fibre.

  • Sometimes just slightly adapting a food can reduce the impact on symptoms rather than removing it completely - e.g. cooking it or changing the texture.

  • Our tolerance to food in a flare and in remission will be very different.

  • Symptoms are not always related to food; for example, stress around eating can be a factor for symptoms too.

  • Don’t make drastic dietary changes without the support of a nutrition professional.

  • If you do remove a food make sure you replace it with something similar to reduce the risk of nutrient deficiency and to maintain enjoyment of food.

Here are the most common symptom trigger drinks in IBD based on research and I have also added some useful ideas for swaps for you to try if these are trigger drinks for you!

If you are struggling with your diet with your Crohns Disease or Ulcerative Colitis we can help you.

We are a private nutrition and dietetic clinic specialising in improving the quality of life of people living with IBD. We bring clarity around food and IBD and remove uncertainty and fear around food.

Our IBD specialist Nutritionist (Clemmie) and specialist gastroenterology and IBD Dietician (Jess) both have IBD too so ‘get it’ and are so passionate about helping others with IBD.

If you would like support with your IBD please book a call with Clemmie via the button below so we can find out more about you, discuss how we can help and take you through our appointment options.

Disclaimer: All content found on the nalmclinic.com website, including: text, video, or other formats have been created for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor, consultant or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

We are all wonderfully unique and what works for one person may not work for another so please seek help and advice before changing your diet to work out the right way forward for you.


References

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Green TJ, Issenman RM, Jacobson K. Patients' diets and preferences in a pediatric population with inflammatory bowel disease. Can J Gastroenterol. 1998 Nov-Dec;12(8):544-9. doi: 10.1155/1998/928706. PMID: 9926264.

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Pituch-Zdanowska A, Kowalska-Duplaga K, Jarocka-Cyrta E, Stawicka A, Dziekiewicz M, Banaszkiewicz A. Dietary Beliefs and Behaviors Among Parents of Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. J Med Food. 2019 Aug;22(8):817-822. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2018.0206. Epub 2019 May 7. PMID: 31063436.

Triggs CM, Munday K, Hu R, Fraser AG, Gearry RB, Barclay ML, Ferguson LR. Dietary factors in chronic inflammation: food tolerances and intolerances of a New Zealand Caucasian Crohn's disease population. Mutat Res. 2010 Aug 7;690(1-2):123-38. doi: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2010.01.020. Epub 2010 Feb 6. PMID: 20144628.

Jowett SL, Seal CJ, Phillips E, Gregory W, Barton JR, Welfare MR. Dietary beliefs of people with ulcerative colitis and their effect on relapse and nutrient intake. Clin Nutr. 2004 Apr;23(2):161-70. doi: 10.1016/S0261-5614(03)00132-8. PMID: 15030955.

Zallot C, Quilliot D, Chevaux JB, Peyrin-Biroulet C, Guéant-Rodriguez RM, Freling E, Collet-Fenetrier B, Williet N, Ziegler O, Bigard MA, Guéant JL, Peyrin-Biroulet L. Dietary beliefs and behavior among inflammatory bowel disease patients. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2013 Jan;19(1):66-72. doi: 10.1002/ibd.22965. PMID: 22467242.

Clemmie Macpherson