“Let your food be your medicine, and let your medicine be your food.”
What the Greek physician Hippocrates knew more than 2,000 years ago is becoming more important today than ever before. At a time when many diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent, we are gaining a completely new perspective on health. More and more people are becoming aware that our diet not only serves as fuel for our bodies but also has a significant impact on our health. Especially if your gut is already compromised by inflammation or if you suffer from gastrointestinal issues, the right diet can make a significant difference. It can help support your gut.
In this article, we'll show you what diet is recommended for acute and chronic intestinal inflammation. The list of suitable and less suitable foods provides you with a selection of options to choose from.
Recommended Diet for Acute Intestinal Inflammation
Acute intestinal inflammation, such as during a flare-up of Crohn's disease or diverticulitis, requires a diet that is particularly gentle on the intestines to relieve the strain on your intestines.
Here are some things you should keep in mind:
- A Gentle Diet for Intestinal Inflammation: If you have acute intestinal inflammation, you should focus primarily on easily digestible foods that are low in fiber and fat. These include, for example, white rice, bananas, and cooked vegetables.
- Adequate Fluid Intake: Staying properly hydrated is especially important during an acute flare-up. Focus primarily on water, unsweetened tea, and, if necessary, electrolyte drinks (especially in cases of acute diarrhea).
- Probiotics are ideal for supporting your gut flora. They are especially recommended if your intestinal inflammation is being treated with antibiotics. Pro EM san . For people with allergies, Pro EM san pur is the right choice. It contains only three easily tolerated plant-based ingredients: grape seed extract, black cumin seeds, and Ling Zhi.
Recommended Diet for Chronic Intestinal Inflammation
Proper nutrition for chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can be more complex, as it aims to counteract inflammation and malnutrition over the long term. Here are some recommendations:
- Low-FODMAP Foods: The term FODMAP stands for fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols. These are fermentable carbohydrates and sugar alcohols that are associated with various gastrointestinal symptoms. You can find a list of low-FODMAP and high-FODMAP foods here.
- Anti-inflammatory foods can help relieve irritation and inflammation. These include, in particular, cod liver oil (due to its omega-3 fatty acids), berries, green leafy vegetables, ginger, and turmeric.
- Fruits and vegetables should make up 60–70% of your diet. For easier digestion, opt for pureed, cooked, or steamed foods.
- Adequate fluid intake is also essential for people with chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
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Probiotics can strengthen and rebuild your gut flora over the long term, thereby improving your gut health. We highly recommend Pro EM san, the original, or Pro EM san pur (suitable for people with allergies).
Eating with Inflammation of the Intestines: Suitable and Unsuitable Foods
Below is a list of foods that are and aren't suitable for people with intestinal inflammation. These are general recommendations, so your personal dietary plan may vary.
| Suitable Foods | Inappropriate Foods |
|---|---|
| boiled or steamed vegetables | raw vegetables |
| Rice | Sugar and refined carbohydrates |
| Pumpkin, potatoes | high-fiber grains (e.g., whole-grain products, legumes) |
| Bananas | raw fruit |
| Chicken | fatty meat |
| fatty fish (e.g., salmon, mackerel) | fried foods |
| Unpasteurized yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and other fermented, unpasteurized foods | dairy products high in lactose |
| cooked oatmeal | high-fiber foods |
| Ginger, Turmeric | Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages |
| Water, mild tea | high-fiber foods |
In addition, if you have intestinal inflammation, we recommend eating smaller, mindful meals with plenty of breaks in between so as not to put additional strain on your digestive tract.
Conclusion: The Right Diet as the Foundation for a Healthy Gut
A well-planned, balanced diet undoubtedly plays a key role in improving gut health. But in addition to all this advice, it’s important to keep in mind that every body is unique and reacts differently to certain foods. What one person tolerates well and finds beneficial may be irritating and hard to digest for another.
So here’s the thing: Above all, listen to your gut and try to understand the signals your body is sending you. What do you tolerate well, and what not so much? Which foods cause a strong reaction in your body, and which ones might even help you feel better? This way, you’ll gradually get to know your body and its needs and develop your very own approach to nutrition.
Sources
- Stephan C. Bischoff. Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics. Georg Thieme Verlag, 2009, 1st edition
- https://flexikon.doccheck.com/de/Mikrobiom
- https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/nutrition-tips-for-inflammatory-bowel-disease
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