The Biggest Mistakes IBD Patients Make—And How to Avoid Them
Are you making choices that might be making your symptoms worse?
Living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can be frustrating. You take your medications, follow your doctor’s advice, and try to avoid flare-ups. But even with the best intentions, many IBD patients make mistakes that can slow progress, worsen symptoms, or keep them from feeling their best.
The good news? Once you know what to avoid, you can make small changes that lead to big improvements.
1. Waiting Too Long to Focus on Nutrition
Many people don’t realize they are low in key nutrients until symptoms appear. Weight loss, fatigue, and thinning hair can be signs that your body isn’t absorbing enough iron, B12, or vitamin D.
What to do:
- Don’t wait for symptoms. Get your nutrition checked regularly.
- Work with an IBD-trained dietitian to make sure you’re getting the right nutrients.
- Eat a balanced diet to support energy, healing, and overall health—even in remission.
Did You Know? Malnutrition affects up to 85% of IBD patients during a flare, making it harder for the body to heal (Levine et al. 2019).
2. Following the Wrong Diet
There is no one-size-fits-all “IBD diet.” What works for someone else might not work for you. Some diets promoted online aren’t backed by science and can even make symptoms worse.
Common mistakes:
- Cutting out too many foods, leading to malnutrition.
- Following diets that aren’t designed for IBD.
- Avoiding fiber-rich foods that actually support gut health.
What to do:
- Identify your personal trigger foods with the help of a dietitian.
- Don’t remove entire food groups unless necessary.
- Focus on a balanced, anti-inflammatory diet to support gut health.
Did You Know? Studies show that anti-inflammatory diets can help reduce IBD symptoms and support remission (Levine et al. 2019).
3. Relying Only on Medication
Medications help manage inflammation, but they don’t address other factors like diet, stress, and gut health. Relying on medication alone can make it harder to stay in remission.
Why this matters:
- Poor nutrition can reduce the effectiveness of medications.
- Stress and lack of sleep can still trigger symptoms.
- Gut health plays a major role in controlling inflammation.
What to do:
- Use lifestyle changes alongside medication for better results.
- Support gut health with a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods.
- Manage stress and sleep to help reduce inflammation.
Did You Know? Patients who combine medication with lifestyle changes experience fewer flare-ups and better long-term outcomes (Lewis et al. 2021).
4. Not Managing Stress & Sleep
Stress and sleep aren’t just mental health concerns—they directly impact inflammation, digestion, and IBD symptoms. When stress levels stay high, or sleep is poor, your gut becomes more reactive, making it harder to stay in remission.
What to do:
- Shift your body into “rest mode” with deep breathing (like the 4-7-8 method) or progressive muscle relaxation.
- Get morning sunlight within an hour of waking to reset your body’s natural sleep cycle.
- Reduce nighttime gut stimulation by avoiding screens, heavy meals, and stressful conversations before bed.
Did You Know? Research confirms that stress management techniques like mindfulness and breathing exercises improve IBD symptoms (Peerani et al. 2022).
5. Trying to Manage IBD Alone
Many patients don’t realize that expert support is available beyond their doctor’s office. Trying to handle diet, stress, and lifestyle changes alone can be overwhelming—and often ineffective.
What to do:
- Work with an IBD health coach who understands Crohn’s and colitis.
- Get nutrition guidance from a trained dietitian.
- Connect with others who have IBD for extra support.
Did You Know? Patients who receive ongoing support from dietitians and health coaches report better symptom management and quality of life (Naqvi et al. 2021).
Where Do I Start?
The best way to start making positive changes is by connecting with an IBD health coach at LyfeMD. They can help you:
- Choose foods that support gut health and reduce symptoms.
- Find movement that fits your lifestyle and energy levels.
- Manage stress to improve digestion and overall well-being.
You don’t have to do this alone. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral or book a free session today.
The Bottom Line
Managing IBD isn’t just about medication. Avoiding common mistakes and making small, science-backed changes can help you feel better, stay in remission longer, and improve your overall well-being.
Don’t wait until symptoms get worse—start taking control of your IBD today.
