Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesAssociated Health ConcernsTreatmentAdditional Tips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Associated Health Concerns
Treatment
Additional Tips
One common symptom ofinflammatory bowel disease (IBD)is a loss of appetite. The cause of poor appetite is complex but some of the main reasons include IBD symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain. Mouth ulcers can also make eating difficult and fatigue can make preparing healthy meals challenging.
A chronic illness, especially one that causes inflammation, may lead to an increased need for calories and protein to fight the disease, rather than fewer calories. That means that people with IBD may need to eat more food in a flare-up, even though their response is often to eat less.
A lack of appetite can be a major obstacle to wellness, especially in people with IBD, who often have a difficult relationship with food. Not feeling like eating is common, but there are several ways to stimulate your appetite and consume more calories.
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Why IBD Causes A Loss of Appetite
There are several reasons why people withCrohn’s diseaseandulcerative colitisexperience a lack of appetite. One main reason is that eating is often associated with symptoms such as nausea, pain,bloating, and diarrhea.Sometimes there is altered taste too.
Other potential reasons people experience a loss of appetite include:
If eating causes pain or bloating and there is a general lack of appetite, people with IBD may not eat enough calories during the day. This can result in weight loss and nutrient deficiencies.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies occur in more than half of people with IBD. The most common nutrient deficiencies include:
These nutrient deficiencies can increase the risk of bone disease (osteoporosis), cognitive decline, anemia, arterial and venousthromboembolism, poor growth in children, and other complications.
When receiving medical treatment, a registered dietitian can recommend changes to your eating patterns and food selections to help relieve symptoms.The first goal of nutrition therapy for IBD is to maintain enough calorie and protein intake to prevent malnutrition.
No single diet treats IBD. However, foods that promote inflammation, such as processed foods and red meats, tend to worsen symptoms and may even increase the risk of relapse of IBD.
Nutritional supplements are an option that can help increase calorie and nutrient intake, especially for those losing weight. Vitamin and mineral supplements may also be needed in cases where certain food groups are eliminated from your diet to help with IBD symptoms.
Consult a registered dietitian to determine the best eating plan for you.
While your healthcare team is working to get the flare-up under control, and you’re learning how to eat more healthfully, you can also try these tips that may increase your appetite.
Eat Smaller Meals
Eat smaller meals—whether or not IBD is flaring.Eating small meals has many benefits, including keeping your blood glucose level constant throughout the day, which in turn keeps your energy level stable.
Another reason to eat smaller meals is that larger, heavier meals are more likely to lead to symptoms such as abdominal bloating, which is not desirable at any time, least of all during an IBD flare-up.
Eat Foods You Enjoy
Eating foods you enjoy can help you take in more calories. Foods should be healthful and nutritious, but they should also be something that you want to eat.Try incorporating your favorite foods, as long as you can tolerate them.
Have a Hydration Strategy
While you need to drink plenty of fluids during the day, drinking can also make you feel full.If you find that you’re feeling full from drinking beverages, you might try eating first, and then drinking your fluids.
Beverages can add calories, and in some cases, adding caloric beverages to your diet may be helpful. Check with your healthcare provider about which beverages are best for you.
Eat More Fish
Consider eating fatty fish—salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, and sardines—at least three times per week to add omega-3 fatty acids into your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation. because they have anti-inflammatory properties.
Limit Alcohol, Caffeine, and Sweets
Limit alcohol since it is pro-inflammatory.You may also want to limit foods, beverages, and sugary sweets that tend to be associated with diarrhea, such as caffeinated beverages, juices, sodas, and candy.
Consider Your Dairy Intake
Some people with IBD, especially those with Crohn’s disease, may also have lactose intolerance and benefit from a lactose-free diet.Lactose is a naturally occurring sugar found in dairy products and those who are lactose intolerant are unable to fully digest lactose.
After you eat dairy foods, monitor symptoms of lactose intolerance, such as gas, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea.
Many lactose-free dairy products offer valuable nutrition and calories. Talk with your healthcare provider or registered dietitian about whether to incorporate these foods into your diet.
Eat Easy-to-Digest Foods After Flare Ups
After a flare episode, you may want to introduce foods that are easy to digest such as:
Once you establish tolerance, introduce one or two items every few days and avoid foods that cause symptoms.
Summary
Loss of appetite associated with IBD can make it challenging to consume enough calories and nutrients to keep the body nourished. Medical treatment to reduce symptoms and dietary changes may help increase appetite to help you consume enough calories and other nutrients.
Nutritional supplements may be needed to meet calories and nutrient needs. Talk with your healthcare provider, including a registered dietitian, to determine the best eating plan for you.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Prince A, Whelan K, Moosa A, Lomer MC, Reidlinger DP.Nutritional problems in inflammatory bowel disease: the patient perspective.J Crohns Colitis. 2011;5(5):443–450. doi:10.1016/j.crohns.2011.04.016Lomer MC.Dietary and nutritional considerations for inflammatory bowel disease.Proc Nutr Soc. 2011;70(3):329–335. doi:10.1017/S0029665111000097Farrell D, McCarthy G, Savage E.Self-reported Symptom Burden in Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.J Crohns Colitis. 2016;10(3):315–322. doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjv218Moran GW, Thapaliya G.The Gut-Brain Axis and Its Role in Controlling Eating Behavior in Intestinal Inflammation. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 18;13(3):981. doi: 10.3390/nu13030981Donnellan CF, Yann LH, Lal S.Nutritional management of Crohn’s disease.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2013;6(3):231–242. doi:10.1177/1756283X13477715Weisshof R, Chermesh I.Micronutrient deficiencies in inflammatory bowel disease. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2015 Nov;18(6):576-81. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000226Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Common micronutrient deficiencies in IBD.Deboer MD.Use of ghrelin as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease: mechanistic considerations.Int J Pept. 2011;2011:189242. doi:10.1155/2011/189242Wędrychowicz A, Zając A, Tomasik P.Advances in nutritional therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases: Review.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(3):1045–1066. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i3.1045Chuong KH, Haw J, Stintzi A, Mack DR, O’Doherty KC.Dietary strategies and food practices of pediatric patients, and their parents, living with inflammatory bowel disease: a qualitative interview study.Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2019;14(1):1648945. doi:10.1080/17482631.2019.1648945Haskey N, Gibson DL.An Examination of Diet for the Maintenance of Remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Nutrients. 2017;9(3):259. Published 2017 Mar 10. doi:10.3390/nu9030259Keshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA.Diet in the Pathogenesis and Management of Ulcerative Colitis; A Review of Randomized Controlled Dietary Interventions.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1498. Published 2019 Jun 30. doi:10.3390/nu11071498Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids.Bishehsari F, Magno E, Swanson G, et al.Alcohol and gut-derived inflammation.Alcohol Res. 2017;38(2):163-171.UCSF Health.Nutrition tips for inflammatory bowel disease.Asfari MM, Sarmini MT, Kendrick K, Hudgi A, Uy P, Sifuentes SS and H.Association between inflammatory bowel disease and lactose intolerance: fact or fiction.The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology. 2020;76(4):185-190. doi:10.4166/kjg.2020.76.4.185Additional ReadingLomer MC. “Dietary and nutritional considerations for inflammatory bowel disease.“Proc Nutr Soc.Prince A, Whelan K, Moosa A, Lomer MC, Reidlinger DP. “Nutritional problems in inflammatory bowel disease: the patient perspective.“J Crohns Colitis.Sasaki M, Johtatsu T, Kurihara M, et al. “Energy Expenditure in Japanese Patients with Severe or Moderate Ulcerative Colitis.“J Clin Biochem Nutr.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Prince A, Whelan K, Moosa A, Lomer MC, Reidlinger DP.Nutritional problems in inflammatory bowel disease: the patient perspective.J Crohns Colitis. 2011;5(5):443–450. doi:10.1016/j.crohns.2011.04.016Lomer MC.Dietary and nutritional considerations for inflammatory bowel disease.Proc Nutr Soc. 2011;70(3):329–335. doi:10.1017/S0029665111000097Farrell D, McCarthy G, Savage E.Self-reported Symptom Burden in Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.J Crohns Colitis. 2016;10(3):315–322. doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjv218Moran GW, Thapaliya G.The Gut-Brain Axis and Its Role in Controlling Eating Behavior in Intestinal Inflammation. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 18;13(3):981. doi: 10.3390/nu13030981Donnellan CF, Yann LH, Lal S.Nutritional management of Crohn’s disease.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2013;6(3):231–242. doi:10.1177/1756283X13477715Weisshof R, Chermesh I.Micronutrient deficiencies in inflammatory bowel disease. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2015 Nov;18(6):576-81. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000226Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Common micronutrient deficiencies in IBD.Deboer MD.Use of ghrelin as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease: mechanistic considerations.Int J Pept. 2011;2011:189242. doi:10.1155/2011/189242Wędrychowicz A, Zając A, Tomasik P.Advances in nutritional therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases: Review.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(3):1045–1066. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i3.1045Chuong KH, Haw J, Stintzi A, Mack DR, O’Doherty KC.Dietary strategies and food practices of pediatric patients, and their parents, living with inflammatory bowel disease: a qualitative interview study.Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2019;14(1):1648945. doi:10.1080/17482631.2019.1648945Haskey N, Gibson DL.An Examination of Diet for the Maintenance of Remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Nutrients. 2017;9(3):259. Published 2017 Mar 10. doi:10.3390/nu9030259Keshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA.Diet in the Pathogenesis and Management of Ulcerative Colitis; A Review of Randomized Controlled Dietary Interventions.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1498. Published 2019 Jun 30. doi:10.3390/nu11071498Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids.Bishehsari F, Magno E, Swanson G, et al.Alcohol and gut-derived inflammation.Alcohol Res. 2017;38(2):163-171.UCSF Health.Nutrition tips for inflammatory bowel disease.Asfari MM, Sarmini MT, Kendrick K, Hudgi A, Uy P, Sifuentes SS and H.Association between inflammatory bowel disease and lactose intolerance: fact or fiction.The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology. 2020;76(4):185-190. doi:10.4166/kjg.2020.76.4.185Additional ReadingLomer MC. “Dietary and nutritional considerations for inflammatory bowel disease.“Proc Nutr Soc.Prince A, Whelan K, Moosa A, Lomer MC, Reidlinger DP. “Nutritional problems in inflammatory bowel disease: the patient perspective.“J Crohns Colitis.Sasaki M, Johtatsu T, Kurihara M, et al. “Energy Expenditure in Japanese Patients with Severe or Moderate Ulcerative Colitis.“J Clin Biochem Nutr.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Prince A, Whelan K, Moosa A, Lomer MC, Reidlinger DP.Nutritional problems in inflammatory bowel disease: the patient perspective.J Crohns Colitis. 2011;5(5):443–450. doi:10.1016/j.crohns.2011.04.016Lomer MC.Dietary and nutritional considerations for inflammatory bowel disease.Proc Nutr Soc. 2011;70(3):329–335. doi:10.1017/S0029665111000097Farrell D, McCarthy G, Savage E.Self-reported Symptom Burden in Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.J Crohns Colitis. 2016;10(3):315–322. doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjv218Moran GW, Thapaliya G.The Gut-Brain Axis and Its Role in Controlling Eating Behavior in Intestinal Inflammation. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 18;13(3):981. doi: 10.3390/nu13030981Donnellan CF, Yann LH, Lal S.Nutritional management of Crohn’s disease.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2013;6(3):231–242. doi:10.1177/1756283X13477715Weisshof R, Chermesh I.Micronutrient deficiencies in inflammatory bowel disease. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2015 Nov;18(6):576-81. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000226Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Common micronutrient deficiencies in IBD.Deboer MD.Use of ghrelin as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease: mechanistic considerations.Int J Pept. 2011;2011:189242. doi:10.1155/2011/189242Wędrychowicz A, Zając A, Tomasik P.Advances in nutritional therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases: Review.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(3):1045–1066. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i3.1045Chuong KH, Haw J, Stintzi A, Mack DR, O’Doherty KC.Dietary strategies and food practices of pediatric patients, and their parents, living with inflammatory bowel disease: a qualitative interview study.Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2019;14(1):1648945. doi:10.1080/17482631.2019.1648945Haskey N, Gibson DL.An Examination of Diet for the Maintenance of Remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Nutrients. 2017;9(3):259. Published 2017 Mar 10. doi:10.3390/nu9030259Keshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA.Diet in the Pathogenesis and Management of Ulcerative Colitis; A Review of Randomized Controlled Dietary Interventions.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1498. Published 2019 Jun 30. doi:10.3390/nu11071498Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids.Bishehsari F, Magno E, Swanson G, et al.Alcohol and gut-derived inflammation.Alcohol Res. 2017;38(2):163-171.UCSF Health.Nutrition tips for inflammatory bowel disease.Asfari MM, Sarmini MT, Kendrick K, Hudgi A, Uy P, Sifuentes SS and H.Association between inflammatory bowel disease and lactose intolerance: fact or fiction.The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology. 2020;76(4):185-190. doi:10.4166/kjg.2020.76.4.185
Prince A, Whelan K, Moosa A, Lomer MC, Reidlinger DP.Nutritional problems in inflammatory bowel disease: the patient perspective.J Crohns Colitis. 2011;5(5):443–450. doi:10.1016/j.crohns.2011.04.016
Lomer MC.Dietary and nutritional considerations for inflammatory bowel disease.Proc Nutr Soc. 2011;70(3):329–335. doi:10.1017/S0029665111000097
Farrell D, McCarthy G, Savage E.Self-reported Symptom Burden in Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.J Crohns Colitis. 2016;10(3):315–322. doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjv218
Moran GW, Thapaliya G.The Gut-Brain Axis and Its Role in Controlling Eating Behavior in Intestinal Inflammation. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 18;13(3):981. doi: 10.3390/nu13030981
Donnellan CF, Yann LH, Lal S.Nutritional management of Crohn’s disease.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2013;6(3):231–242. doi:10.1177/1756283X13477715
Weisshof R, Chermesh I.Micronutrient deficiencies in inflammatory bowel disease. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2015 Nov;18(6):576-81. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000226
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Common micronutrient deficiencies in IBD.
Deboer MD.Use of ghrelin as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease: mechanistic considerations.Int J Pept. 2011;2011:189242. doi:10.1155/2011/189242
Wędrychowicz A, Zając A, Tomasik P.Advances in nutritional therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases: Review.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(3):1045–1066. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i3.1045
Chuong KH, Haw J, Stintzi A, Mack DR, O’Doherty KC.Dietary strategies and food practices of pediatric patients, and their parents, living with inflammatory bowel disease: a qualitative interview study.Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2019;14(1):1648945. doi:10.1080/17482631.2019.1648945
Haskey N, Gibson DL.An Examination of Diet for the Maintenance of Remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Nutrients. 2017;9(3):259. Published 2017 Mar 10. doi:10.3390/nu9030259
Keshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA.Diet in the Pathogenesis and Management of Ulcerative Colitis; A Review of Randomized Controlled Dietary Interventions.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1498. Published 2019 Jun 30. doi:10.3390/nu11071498
Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids.
Bishehsari F, Magno E, Swanson G, et al.Alcohol and gut-derived inflammation.Alcohol Res. 2017;38(2):163-171.
UCSF Health.Nutrition tips for inflammatory bowel disease.
Asfari MM, Sarmini MT, Kendrick K, Hudgi A, Uy P, Sifuentes SS and H.Association between inflammatory bowel disease and lactose intolerance: fact or fiction.The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology. 2020;76(4):185-190. doi:10.4166/kjg.2020.76.4.185
Lomer MC. “Dietary and nutritional considerations for inflammatory bowel disease.“Proc Nutr Soc.Prince A, Whelan K, Moosa A, Lomer MC, Reidlinger DP. “Nutritional problems in inflammatory bowel disease: the patient perspective.“J Crohns Colitis.Sasaki M, Johtatsu T, Kurihara M, et al. “Energy Expenditure in Japanese Patients with Severe or Moderate Ulcerative Colitis.“J Clin Biochem Nutr.
Lomer MC. “Dietary and nutritional considerations for inflammatory bowel disease.“Proc Nutr Soc.
Prince A, Whelan K, Moosa A, Lomer MC, Reidlinger DP. “Nutritional problems in inflammatory bowel disease: the patient perspective.“J Crohns Colitis.
Sasaki M, Johtatsu T, Kurihara M, et al. “Energy Expenditure in Japanese Patients with Severe or Moderate Ulcerative Colitis.“J Clin Biochem Nutr.
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