Nutritional therapy in the presence of IBD has as its goal the control of symptoms, prevention and correction of malnutrition and various nutritional deficiencies, and reduction of sequelae in the long term, including the growth deficit in children and osteoporosis in adults.
The Active phase of the Disease
In this phase it is important that the power supply to assist in the control of symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, distention, and to prevent or reverse the loss of weight through the use of nutritional supplements suitable. The diet should be high calorie, by the increase of energy requirements as a result of inflammation, hiperprotéica, hipolipídica and normoglicídica with restriction of simple carbohydrates, and foods that cause flatulence. The content of fibers-insoluble and waste (lactose, for example) should be restricted, and the feed should be split in six to eight meals a day, containing little volume.
The Remission stage of the Disease
With the clinical improvement of the patient and the onset of the phase of remission, may be included in the simple carbs such as sucrose (in moderate amount), and lactose (gradually, if no intolerance), you should increase gradually the content of total fiber and insoluble diet, maintaining a moderate content of fat (especially polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-6). Calories should be appropriate to the patient's nutritional status.
Source: Diestel CF, Santos MC, Romi MD. Nutritional treatment in inflammatory bowel disease. Revista Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto. 2012;11(4):52-58