This month's newsletter is packed with valuable resources and information to help you in your IBD nutrition journey:

• How to safely add fiber
• Dietitian-vetted and easy recipes for practical fiber addition
• A customized plan that helps a student thrive in the school environment
• Mark September 25th on your calendar, as you are invited to join our first IBD Nutrition Community online gathering
• Plus lots of other additional upcoming events (online and in person) you don’t want to miss! 

So let's dive into this month's newsletter! 

Nutrition & IBD Research Highlights

🥗Fiber in IBD: why it matters and how to add it safely 

For many patients with IBD, fiber may seem like the enemy, but it's not. Emerging research has shown that not all dietary fiber works the same way, and there are various ways to incorporate fiber safely and tastefully. 

💡In a new website section, we have summarized what every patient with IBD and their provider needs to know about fiber in IBD:

✅ The main 5 fiber benefits for IBD.

✅ Three simple and effective ways to better tolerate fiber that will make your life easier, whether you barely eat fiber now or have started to reintroduce it gradually without success.

✅ Which foods to promote and limit based on the predominant bowel symptom.

✅ Fiber content is not the only factor to consider. Even low fiber foods, like certain meats, can still pose a risk for obstruction. A softer-textured diet may be recommended to ease digestion and minimize discomfort..

✅ Registered dietitian-vetted tips and tricks for safely incorporating fiber in patients experiencing a disease exacerbation or sensitivity to whole foods.

🥛Dairy is inflammatory in IBD: hype or health?

One common dietary misconception in IBD is that “dairy is inflammatory”.

💡 A review of 95 studies in 7,606,009 people concludes dairy doesn't increase mortality and risk of disease:

✅ Dairy consumption is associated with a ⬇️ type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and heart disease (people with IBD are at a high risk of these diseases) 

✅ Yoghurt and fermented dairy were the winners in terms of protective health benefits

✅ If you are symptomatic and find that dairy worsens your symptoms, avoid it temporarily and then try carefully reintroducing low lactose options first (e.g., yoghurt, kefir, or hard cheeses)

👉 Stay tuned for a new article that digests the most important takeaways from the first-ever consensus on diet management of IBD

Fiber-Rich Recipes 

Here are some great fiber-rich recipes to try:

A 504 Plan: an Essential to Help a Student Thrive Academically 

With school back in session, it is time to consider how a 504 plan can help ensure academic success for your child with IBD. This customizable plan can offer personalized accommodations based on your child’s needs to help create a supportive learning environment.  

These accommodations may include unlimited restroom access, flexible schedules, increased testing time, and more. By working together with the school administration, having a 504 plan can reduce some of the barriers that a child with IBD may face in the classroom.

Introducing the IBD Nutrition Community 

Join our first IBD Nutrition Community gathering online on Thursday, September 25th at 7:00-8:00 PM EST.

We’re excited to introduce IBD Nutrition Community—a welcoming, supportive space for individuals living with inflammatory bowel disease and their caregivers to connect, share, and learn together.

Moderated by registered dietitian Nicole Wake, alongside members of our team with lived IBD experience, this informal meetup provides an opportunity to exchange experiences, gain insights, and join conversations about how IBD influences food choices and daily life.

This month’s discussion will focus on navigating eating with IBD at work and school. By blending education with meaningful interaction, the IBD Nutrition Community encourages participants to engage, learn, and reflect in a relaxed and inclusive setting.

Please note: this gathering is intended for community connection and support; it does not provide medical or individual dietary advice.

Virtual Learning Events

Join us October 7 from 12–1 pm ET for a free, live, accredited webinar hosted by Abbott Nutrition Health Institute (ANHI): A Patient-Centric Approach to Integrating Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care. John Stutts, MD, MPH, Ashwin Ananthakrishnan, MD, MPH, FACG, AGAF, and David Gardinier, RD, LD, will:

• Discuss the essential role of nutrition, alongside medications, in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Identify clinical nutrition goals and select evidence-based nutritional options to support them
• Evaluate patients’ interest and motivation in nutrition, as well as their available resources for dietary changes
• Review a clinical case study using our innovative tool, the IBD Nutrition Navigator™ for a patient with IBD

Don’t miss the 3rd Annual Mount Sinai Nutrition-IBD Education Session hosted by the Mount Sinai IBD and Nutrition Team on Wednesday, September 17th, from 8:00–11:30 AM ET. This free virtual event brings together leading experts to share the latest insights on nutrition and IBD, including:

• The impact of ultra-processed foods in IBD
• Obesity management in patients with IBD
• Nutrition optimization before surgery
• Using diet to reduce the risk of IBD complications
• Nutrition recommendations for patients with concomitant IBS and IBD

Community Engagement

Nutritional Therapy for IBD is proud to join the Bridging Autoimmunity: Patient Forum on September 13, 2025, by IMIDeology at Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY!   This one-day event brings together patients, caregivers, and health professionals for powerful conversations, wellness activities, and community-building.  From expert panels to yoga and a patient talent show, it's a space to connect, learn, and feel empowered.  Use code NUTRITION15 for 15% off in person tickets.

A free virtual option is available as well.

Nutritional Therapy for IBD is headed to Orlando, Florida for the Fall 2025 ImproveCareNow Community Conference. From September 17-19, this important gathering brings together clinicians, patients, caregivers, and partners dedicated to advancing pediatric IBD care. The program will highlight best practices from ICN quality improvement, research, and community engagement, helping attendees connect with others and apply proven strategies to accelerate outcomes. Would you like to join us?  Registration is open until September 15th, 2025.

Support our Mission

Our resources are free so everyone can access reliable nutrition guidance for IBD. But creating and maintaining them comes with costs. If our content is helpful to you, please consider making a donation. Your support allows us to continue improving nutritional care for the IBD community.
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Thank you and see you next month!

The Nutritional Therapy for IBD Team

We are grateful for the collaboration and support of our Corporate Partners!

*Please note that Nutritional Therapy for IBD does not provide medical advice. The content provided here is for informational purposes only. Patients should always talk with their healthcare providers before changing their diet.*