The dietary practices and beliefs of people living with inactive ulcerative colitis

Diet is implicated in the aetiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and in generating symptoms. Few studies have explored dietary practices in people with IBD, in which participants perceived strong links between diet in triggering flares and maintaining remission. Fewer studies have explored dietary habits in self-reported remission. Our aim was to describe dietary practices and beliefs in those with inactive ulcerative colitis.

A questionnaire was developed and prospectively administered to 208 participants with inactive ulcerative colitis attending IBD clinics.

Thirty-one percent believed diet was the initiating factor for ulcerative colitis with 37% believing diet could trigger relapse. Fifty-nine percent avoided dietary items to prevent relapse. Most frequently avoided were spicy (43%) and fatty (38%) foods, alcohol (27%), carbonated drinks (26%), coffee (24%) and milk products (21%). Females were more likely to practice dietary avoidance (P = 0.007). Twenty-three percent had used exclusion diets, most commonly gluten- or lactose-free. Those reporting relapse in the previous year were more likely to avoid the same menu as their family (P = 0.01) and females were less likely to eat out in order to prevent relapse (P = 0.004). Information resources guiding food avoidance included participants' own experiences (90%), healthcare professionals' advice (19%) and the internet (11%).

People with inactive ulcerative colitis hold dietary beliefs and display practices with a high level of consistency around perceived triggers. Food avoidance whilst in remission raises the possibility of visceral hypersensitivity or altered physiology alongside psychosocial, neurocognitive or co-existing functional factors.