IBD is a term used to describe a group of conditions characterised by chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. These conditions are primarily identified as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause swelling, pain, and discomfort in the bowel.
For people who have been diagnosed with IBD, it can be quite challenging to maintain a normal diet while managing their symptoms. It’s essential for them to avoid foods that trigger disease flares and adhere to a healthy diet that can support their overall health and wellbeing. With proper management of IBD symptoms and adherence to a well-balanced and diverse diet, individuals can reduce their risk of experiencing a disease flare and minimise the severity of their symptoms.
Evidence is emerging about dietary factors that may contribute to risk of IBD, and about the importance of diet in symptom management. Maintaining healthy weight, good nutrition and food enjoyment can be a very delicate balance for those with IBD. Our dietitians know how to support you to reach your own food and nutrition goals, while restricting your diet as little as possible.
We also help you sort the real evidence from food marketing hype. We know each individual’s journey with inflammatory bowel disease is different, so our priority is to work with you to identify your own dietary triggers, nutrition priorities and food preferences, in order to ensure the advice we give will work for you, your lifestyle and your goals.
Dr Georgina Williams has completed research plus the Nutrition and IBD for Dietitians Gut Smart program.
Dr Kerith Duncanson has conducted research about personalised care for IBD.
The Dietitian Crohn’s Colitis Australian Network advocates for the improvement of nutritional care of Australian patients living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Dietitians can play a central role in the management of IBD. An IBD dietitian is a dietitian who specialises in inflammatory bowel disease (and other gastrointestinal disorders). They will have a good understanding of the gastrointestinal tract as well as the features, disease course and treatments of IBD. With this knowledge, a dietitian can help tailor a diet to meet the individual needs of someone with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.
Our consulting work with clients complements Dr Kerith Duncanson’s and Dr Georgina Williams’ research in gastrointestinal nutrition and functional gut disorders. Our research knowledge allows us to cut through the confusing, conflicting and overwhelming dietary advice you have been bombarded with. We focus whatever energy and time you have on your ‘best bets’ – what is most likely to work well for you, now and into the future.
Even more importantly, we help you to help yourself – to food! We can help take the stress and worry out of food decisions by serving up science in healthy, ‘bite-sized’ chunks of relevant, practical advice to help you take control of your health.
