Weight Gain with Crohn's Disease/Ulcerative Colitis

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
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Hi There,

So I am currently combating suspected IBD issues (Believed to be potentially Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s - GP has referred me to a gastroenterologist but UK Lockdown II has all but confirmed I won’t be seen by one until early 2021) and I’m looking to run the Beginner Template next week. I am 181cm, 63kg, 11% body fat (heaviest I have been is 70kg) and I want to gain weight to improve my strength.

I fear that much of the information online about weight gain does not take IBD into consideration, or if does, it is either extremely vague or adopts a ‘suck it up! no one is comfortable gaining weight! grab baby wipes!’ approach.

Are there any diet recommendations for weight gain amongst those with IBD? (especially if you’re general health is pretty good - I don’t miss days of work or study, not bed-ridden, can control the issues far better with some dietary changes, etc).

I would love to hear any food/recipe/meal frequency recommendations or anyone’s experience of this situation, it does feel like beating my head against the wall sometimes with this topic.

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If you have IBD, you may need treatment to manage symptoms, which includes maintaining body weight.

There are a lot of claims about specific foods, dietary patterns, etc. and inflammatory bowel diseases that are made on the internet. That said, existing data suggests the following:

  1. the low FODMAP diet may be beneficial for those with irritable and inflammatory bowel disease
  2. no fiber restrictions are warranted
  3. lactose restriction may be beneficial

If you can tolerate your current diet, I think a modest calorie surplus (250-500kCal) would be advisable.

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Thank you very much for the reply Jordan. I’ll look to implement these dietary changes.