Nutrition for Irritable Bowel (IBS/IBD)
Whether you have a new diagnosis or have been living with irritable bowel syndrome or disease (IBS/IBD), supporting your gut is essential to keeping symptoms at bay so you feel your best.
With the support of an IBS registered dietitian at Foodsmart, you'll get personalized nutrition guidance to help you heal your gut and keep it healthy. Plus, with daily support tools you can find thousands of gluten-free recipes, plan meals, and have food delivered.
Enroll in the program today!
Join our NEW IBS/IBD Program
What You'll Get
- A program customized specifically to you – whether you have IBS or IBD .
- Evidence-based nutrition curriculum with weekly topics of focus
- Frequent check-ins with your IBS dietitian to customize and adapt your plan based on progress
- Access to the Foodsmart app for meal planning, recipes, grocery delivery and more
- An accountability partner and long-term support
How to Sign Up
Schedule your first visit. During your first visit, mention you'd like to begin the "Healthy Gut Program". Your gut health dietitian will go over what the program looks like, adapt it to your needs, and schedule your subsequent visits.
How Can a Dietitian Help With IBS/IBD?
Your dietitian is clinically trained to support your health with nutrition. They will take into account your medical history, needs, and preferences and will develop a plan to help you reach your goals. They'll help you sift through the confusing and, often overwhelming, nutrition noise like elimination diets, Fodmap diets, food intolerances and other digestive symptoms to figure out what works for you. They are trained to support medical conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome. They also support food sensitivities and allergies. Plus, they're available on your schedule via telehealth.
Managing IBS/IBD with Nutrition
What is IBS/IBD?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and the more severe form of Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) are chronic gastrointestinal disorders. Both conditions cause symptoms like abdominal pain, urgent bowel movements, and cramping however the conditions are quite different.
IBD is a term for a broad spectrum of conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which cause inflammation, sores, and destruction of the bowel wall.
Diagnosing the conditions is a lengthy and complex process complete with bloodwork, physical examination, symptom tracking, endoscopic procedures and scans.
Nutrition as the treatment for IBS/IBD
Nutrition is a critical aspect of managing both IBS and IBD and it is highly individualized. Learning what foods are well tolerated and which are not is a daunting process but key to reducing symptoms. A registered dietitian is clinically trained to support members with IBS and IBD, working with them individually to guide them and develop a protocol that minimized symptoms and allows them to enjoy life worry-free.
No matter where you are on your journey, a dietitian can be an integral part of your support system.
The Foodsmart Approach
Your journey begins with a visit with a dietitian. If you're interested in the "Diabetes Management Program", mention it to your dietitian and they'll give a program overview, adapt it to your needs, and schedule your subsequent visits. Once you've got a plan in place, explore the daily tools available to you on the Foodsmart app.
Meet your personal dietitian
Choose a 30 or 60 minute visit with a dietitian to define your goals and create a plan. Your dietitian will get to know you — your goals, health history, and preferences to find an approach that is truly unique to you.
Receive a customized plan
Your dietitian will create a nutrition plan just for you which will include a meal plan, tips and tricks, and educational tools. That's everything you need to see success!
Build better habits with daily support
Follow your meal plan in the app and customize with 1000's of chef-crafted recipes. Plus, save time and money with automatic grocery lists, grocery delivery, grocery deal finder, and more!
See results and celebrate the journey
Schedule monthly check-ins with your dietitian to adapt your plan based on your progress or changing needs, and to celebrate your wins!
Request Program Information
In a recent matched pair controlled claims analysis with Chorus Community Health Plan, Foodsmart demonstrated significant cost savings amongst both Medicaid and Exchange members by helping to improve their food access and affordability, overall nutrition and related health outcomes.
If you'd like to learn more about our Nutrition Programs, please provide your contact information using our Request More Information form. A patient care coordinator will be in touch to help answer any questions you may have.
Schedule Free 15-min Visit
Please do not include any privileged and confidential and/or protected health information (PHI) in your inquiry. For questions about telenutrition visits, please contact telenutrition@foodsmart.com or (844) 741-1888
Request information
By submitting this form, I give express written consent to receive marketing and informational communications using an automatic telephone dialing system and/or an artificial or prerecorded voice, text message, or e-mail from Foodsmart. I understand my consent is not a condition of participating and that I may revoke my consent at any time.
We've helped our 2 million members make eating well simple
I’ve seen significant improvements in my health since I’ve started using the Foodsmart app. I lost about 30 pounds in a year. My A1C without medication has been consistently in the fives.
Callie R.
The nutritionist was a game changer! I have jump-started my weight loss. 40 pounds down, 40 to go.
Shannon P.
I am already down 30 lbs from using the recipes on Foodsmart. Even my 2 year old who is super picky loves the recipes.
Madelyn O.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know this program will work for me?
Our program is driven by registered dietitians who are clinically trained in medical nutrition therapy to treat IBS and IBD with nutrition. Unlike many "one-size-fits-all" programs, we take a personalized approach to understand who you are and what you're looking to accomplish and then develop a plan just for you. We've seen numerous clinical outcomes amongst our 1.5M members and we're confident we can offer the support you need.We work on your schedule. Whether you are available to meet once a week or once a month, we'll be here. We develop a plan that is specific to you so whether you have a goal to reach in one month or six, we can create a plan to help you get there.
What is the difference between IBS and IBD?
While the terms and, frankly, the symptoms, can be similar, IBS and IBD are actually quite different conditions. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a syndrome whereby a person may experience very real and painful symptoms like abdominal pain, inconsistent and disruptive bowel movements, and digestive sensitivity. IBS is more of a functional condition in that the gut does not function optimally, but there may be no structural damage.Irritable bowel disease (IBD), in contrast to IBS, does present with structural damage like inflammation, sores, or irritation in the GI tract. The symptoms can also be more severe, including loss of appetite, skin rashes, and joint pain. IBD is a broad term that encompasses specific conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcertive colitis.
How is one diagnosed with IBD or IBD?
Typically either a primary care physician or a gastroenterologist will conduct a series of tests to diagnose IBS and IBD. Because IBD is more definitive and often presents physical changes, it is more easily identifiable through screenings. IBS is sometimes diagnosed by process of elimination. In both cases, the process of diagnosis can be a long and frustrating one. A dietitian can work with you throughout the process to help you manage symptoms and work alongside you and your care tea to get you on a path to feeling better.
If I have IBS or IBD do I have to avoid gluten, dairy, sugar or other commonly avoided foods?
Not necessarily. While some foods tend to be more generally problematic than others, it is important to determine which foods are difficult for you to tolerate specifically. Eliminating food groups unnecessarily can not only be a source of undue stress but can also cause you to miss out on important nutrients.The 'Healthy Gut' program is designed to help you do just that. Your dietitian will guide you through a systematic approach to determine which foods do and don't work for you and develop a plan to help you navigate your diet without feeling restricted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 'Healthy Gut' program support IBS and IBD specifically?
The Gut Health program is guided by general best practices for gut health but adapted to your specific needs. Someone with IBS or IBD may have already determined some foods that are unsuitable. Your dietitian will meet you where you are and adjust the plan to support you in areas that will help you heal your gut, reduce your symptoms, and bolster your understanding about what makes a healthy gut for you.
What are the symptoms of IBS and IBD?
Symptoms of IBS or IBD can be highly individual but generally people experience abdominal pain in the form of cramps, sharp stabbing pain, or persistent aches. They also experience bloating, inconsistent bowel movements (diarrhea and constipation), weight loss, fatigue, nutrient deficiencies and secondary symptoms. If you're having these symptoms, it's best to consult your doctor.
How often should I meet with my dietitian?
For most members, we recommend a visit every two weeks, though you are welcome to meet more or less frequently. This cadence will give enough time to make progress and have meaningful updates. If you need support in between visits, you may always message your dietitian.
How does a dietitian work with my primary or GI doctor?
Working with a dietitian is a great supplemental addition to your overall care team. Often, when you receive a diagnosis or are experiencing symptoms, you're handed a sheet of paper and sent on your way. A dietitian can be your support system day-to-day, helping to adapt the program to your needs as they change over time. They can answer specific questions as they arise and adjust as your goals and needs change.
