Red flags are trending everywhere online, and we think they belong in the IBD conversation too. When you live with Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or Microscopic Colitis (types of inflammatory bowel disease) you are often searching for answers during your most vulnerable moments. That is exactly when confident, too good to be true advice finds you.
Our team of IBD dietitians pulled from our own experiences, our clients’ stories, and the comments on our recent Instagram post to put together the IBD red flags we see most often. Here are nine IBD red flags to watch for.
1. “I got off my meds, so you can too”
This is the one that burns most. It usually comes from well meaning people who build their credibility around their own symptom management. But one person’s experience cannot be applied to everyone.
Medication has been a major support for many people with IBD, and none of us can fully control what our immune system does. Genetics, environment, and exposures all play a role. This message can also make you feel like you are to blame for needing treatment, and that pressure is not fair or true.
2. Someone tells you to never eat a food again
Blanket rules like this are common, and they often shift blame back onto you, as if you have not found the right formula for remission. Comments like “my husband took out gluten and he is cured” oversimplify a complex disease. Food advice for IBD is not the same for every person or every context.
3. “Fiber is inflammatory”
This one is especially common in online forums, including those for microscopic colitis. There is no evidence to support it as a blanket statement. It usually comes from mixing up inflammation and symptoms, which are not always the same thing. Your fiber needs can change depending on your disease activity and your care team’s guidance, so this is a conversation to have with your dietitian rather than a rule to follow from a forum.
When symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea are high fiber may need to be adjusted but this does not have to be the case forever as your tolerance to it changes over time and as inflammation decreases.
Find more fact vs fiction about fiber and IBD here!
4. Fasting will “reset” your gut
Gut rest sounds appealing, especially during a flare when your gut feels like it needs a break. But in IBD, malnutrition is a real concern, and the goal is to work toward nourishment, not add to the risk. Fasting for a gut reset is not something we recommend for people with IBD, especially during a flare.
Note: malnutrition can be present when there is no weight loss. Malnutrition is when the body has an imbalance between the nutrients your body needs and the ones it needs.
5. Extreme food elimination as a starting point
When you are living in extreme pain, taking everything out can feel reasonable. The red flag is when a long list of eliminated foods is presented as the first step for everyone. Starting from nothing and adding foods back one by one is not an effective way to find what moves the needle, and it can lead to a very limited diet and nutrient gaps.
6. A rigid protocol with 10 plus supplements
Supplements can be helpful in IBD, since nutrient deficiencies are common and some supplements have real research behind them. The red flag is a preset, cookie cutter protocol with no strategy. Ask whether each product is evidence based, whether the dose is therapeutic, and whether it has been third party tested. Keep in mind that herbal does not automatically mean harmless, especially for the gut microbiome. For many people, a short and purposeful list is a safer place to land.
7. A promise to cure IBD with diet alone
Nutrition is a valuable tool, but a promise of a cure should make you pause. If there were a cure, you would not have to buy it from one person online. IBD is a complex disease, and most people need several tools working together. Nutrition and medical treatment do not have to be an either or choice. They can work side by side.
8. A promise to fix your dysbiosis for good
The gut microbiome is always responding to its environment, and researchers are still learning what a “normal” microbiome even looks like. Anyone promising a permanent fix is claiming more certainty than science can offer.
9. Advice designed to scare you into buying something
Fearmongering around foods, followed by a supplement that solves the problem, is a classic sales tactic. So is false urgency, like a limited time window. Dietitians and businesses do need to earn a living, and selling a service is not the issue. The issue is pressure. If you feel pushed instead of supported, trust that feeling.
How to Vet IBD Nutrition Advice
A few quick questions can help you sort helpful information from harmful information:
- Who is behind this, and what are their credentials? Look for a registered dietitian with IBD experience.
- What do they have at stake? Everyone has some bias, so consider what is being sold.
- Does it sound too good to be true? Cures, guarantees, and one size fits all plans are red flags.
- Does it work with your medical care? Good nutrition support complements your treatment plan.
- Does it leave room for your story? Personal stories are powerful, but each person has a different starting point, journey, and set of resources.
The Bottom Line
Spotting IBD red flags is not about fear. It is about feeling confident and supported while you navigate your care. There are more tools available for IBD than ever before, and nutrition is one important piece of the picture.
If you are looking for support for your IBD nutrition needs, check out our Nutrition Collective program to get a plan catered to you and your specific gut health needs!
This article is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice. Talk with your healthcare team before making changes to your diet, supplements, or medications.
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