Nutrition support for inflammatory bowel disease

Living with inflammatory bowel disease can change the way you eat. During a flare, symptoms may affect your appetite, the foods you tolerate and how much you feel able to eat. When symptoms settle, your nutrition priorities can change again.

Our dietitians provide practical nutrition support for people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. We can help you adapt your food intake during flares and remission while working alongside your medical treatment plan.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease nutrition

Crohn's disease can affect people differently depending on symptoms, disease activity and the areas of the gastrointestinal tract involved.

Your dietitian can review what you are currently eating and help you find practical ways to support your nutrition as your symptoms and needs change.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis nutrition

During periods of increased symptoms, eating your usual diet may become more difficult. Some people also restrict foods because they are worried about triggering symptoms.

We can help you work through your current intake, symptoms and nutrition priorities without creating unnecessary long-term food restrictions.

IBD nutrition during flares and remission

There is no single way of eating that suits every person with IBD at every stage. Nutrition advice may need to change depending on your symptoms, appetite, medical treatment and current disease activity.

During a Flare

Adapt when eating is difficult

If symptoms are making your normal meals difficult, we can help you consider meal size, food choices and practical ways to make eating more manageable.

Nutrition Intake

Support adequate nutrition

Reduced appetite, gastrointestinal symptoms and food avoidance can make it harder to eat enough. We can review your intake and identify areas that may need additional attention.

During Remission

Build variety back in

When symptoms settle, we can review whether previous food restrictions are still needed and help you work towards a varied diet that meets your nutrition needs.

Your nutrition plan can change as your IBD changes.

What feels manageable during a flare may be different from how you eat during remission. Your dietitian can review your plan over time rather than expecting one approach to work indefinitely.

How an IBD dietitian can help

Nutrition support starts with understanding your individual situation. We look at what you are eating now, what has changed and what is making eating difficult before deciding what needs attention.

Symptoms

Work around changing symptoms

We can help you adjust your meals when symptoms are affecting your appetite, food choices or ability to manage your usual diet.

Food Intake

Review what you are eating

Your dietitian can look at your usual meals, snacks and food restrictions to identify areas where your overall nutrition may need support.

Food Restrictions

Avoid unnecessary restriction

If you have removed foods because of symptoms, we can review whether those restrictions are still useful and help you broaden your diet where appropriate.

Appetite

Make smaller amounts count

When appetite is reduced, we can help you find practical ways to support your intake without expecting you to manage large or difficult meals.

Recovery

Review nutrition after a flare

As symptoms improve, we can review your intake again and gradually adjust your food choices to suit your changing needs.

Practical Support

Turn advice into everyday food

We focus on realistic meals, snacks and food choices that fit your preferences, routine and current tolerance.

Working alongside your IBD medical care

Dietitian support forms one part of IBD care. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis require appropriate medical assessment, treatment and monitoring.

Gastroenterology

Medical management

Your gastroenterology team manages your IBD diagnosis, disease activity, investigations and medical treatment.

GP & Healthcare Team

Ongoing healthcare

Your GP and other treating professionals may be involved in monitoring your health, medications, pathology and other medical needs.

Dietitian

Nutrition support

We focus on translating your nutrition needs into practical food choices and strategies you can use in everyday life.

Nutrition support complements your medical treatment.

Changes in IBD symptoms or concerns about a flare should be discussed with your treating medical team. Dietitian advice does not replace medical assessment or treatment.

What to expect at your IBD dietitian appointment

Your appointment starts with understanding what is happening now. You do not need to arrive with a perfect food diary or already know which foods are causing problems.

1

Understand your situation

We discuss your IBD diagnosis, current symptoms, medical treatment, appetite, recent changes and any nutrition concerns you have.

2

Review how you are eating

We look at your usual meals, snacks, drinks, foods you are avoiding and anything that has become difficult to eat.

3

Build practical next steps

We identify your current nutrition priorities and develop realistic food and meal strategies around them.

Access IBD dietitian support your way

Appointment options vary by location and availability. Our Client Care Team can help you find an option that suits you.

Clinic appointments

See one of our dietitians at selected clinic locations across South East Queensland.

Telehealth Australia-wide

Access IBD dietitian support from home with telehealth appointments available across Australia.

Selected home visits

Home visits may be available within selected service areas where attending a clinic is difficult.

View Appointment Options
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Individual nutrition advice
Support based on your IBD, symptoms, usual diet and current nutrition needs.
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Practical food guidance
Food and meal strategies designed to work with your everyday routine.
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Support as things change
Nutrition advice can be reviewed as you move through flares and remission.

IBD dietitian FAQs

What is inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly shortened to IBD, refers to conditions involving chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the main forms of IBD.

Can a dietitian help with Crohn's disease?

Yes. A dietitian can review your current food intake, symptoms and nutrition needs and help you adapt your eating during periods of increased symptoms and remission. Nutrition support should work alongside your medical treatment.

Can a dietitian help with ulcerative colitis?

Yes. Dietitian support can help you review your overall nutrition, manage changes to eating when symptoms increase and reconsider food restrictions as your symptoms change.

What should I eat during an IBD flare?

The most appropriate food choices depend on your individual symptoms, nutrition needs and medical situation. A dietitian can help you adjust your food intake during a flare without applying unnecessary restrictions.

Do I need to avoid certain foods permanently with IBD?

Not necessarily. Foods that are difficult to manage during periods of increased symptoms may not always need to be avoided long term. Your dietitian can review restrictions and help you broaden your diet where appropriate.

Can I see an IBD dietitian by telehealth?

Yes. Simply Nutrition Dietitians provides telehealth dietitian appointments across Australia for people seeking nutrition support for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Do I need a referral?

You can contact our team directly about an appointment. Referrals can also be submitted by GPs, gastroenterologists and other health professionals involved in your care.

Ready to speak with an IBD dietitian?

Get practical nutrition support for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, with advice that can change with your symptoms, nutrition needs and stage of IBD.

Submit a Referral Contact Our Team
Good Humans. Great Dietitians. Ready To Support You.  
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