For people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), diet is a major concern. At some point in treatment, most patients get sent home from the doctors office or hospital with a special diet. Some of these medical diets can be confusing. For example a "Clear Liquid Diet" actually includes gelatin and popsicles, which offer a little variety in such a restricted diet. A "Lactose-Free Diet" can be very tricky, as lactose is contained in many other foods besides milk and ice cream.
Physicians prescribe these diets for good reasons. After abdominal surgery, patients are normally started on a Clear Liquid Diet. This eases the digestive tract into processing food again after the trauma of surgery. A Full Liquid Diet may be prescribed as the next small step on the way to solid foods. Finally the Restricted Fiber Diet may be utilized for a period of time before the physician determines that a regular diet may be resumed.
Below I have outlined four of the specific diets often prescribed to IBD or IBS patients. Always consult a physician before starting or stopping any diet.
The Clear Liquid DietThis diet may be recommended after surgery in the transition to solid food, when preparing for a test (like a colonoscopy) or during a serious flare-up. As the name suggests, this diet consists of only liquids that one can see through. Items on the list consist mostly of water and sugar or salt.
Foods Allowed- Clear beverages without caffeine
- Clear broth (boullion)
- Clear fruit juice (apple, cranberry or grape)
- Gelatin
- Decaffeinated coffee
- Decaffeinated tea
- Popsicles
- Citrus juices
- Milk products
- Solids of any kind
This diet has a greater range of items than the clear liquid diet. It may be used as a transition from clear liquids to solid food after surgery or when recovering from a flare up.
Foods Allowed- Everything on the Clear Liquid Diet
- Cream
- Ice Cream
- Italian Ice
- Fruit juices
- Milk
- Puddings
- Cooked refined cereals
- Strained Soups
- Vegetable Juices
- Breads
- Cheese
- Fruits
- Meats
- Vegetables
The very basic premise to this diet is to avoid any type of dairy products. An inability for the body to digest lactose can cause diarrhea, bloating, and cramps. This diet may be recommended when a patient is tested and found to be lactose-intolerant. It can be difficult to root out foods containing milk sugar, as it may only be labeled as 'sugar' on the package.
There is good news for the lactose-intolerant. There are several pills sold commercially today that, when eaten before or with dairy, reduce the side effects of lactose-intolerance. There are also lactose-free cheeses, milks, and ice cream.
Lactose-Free Foods- 100% Lactose-free milk
- Non-Dairy creamers
- Soy Milk
- Cheeses
- Cream
- Ice Cream
- Milk
- Foods containing any of the above
