He added: \u201cWe use diet for induction of remission as well as maintenance, and then back again to induction and maintenance again. It\u2019s also important that this is not a talk you have with your patients once, and then you\u2019re done with talking about diet: This should be a continual conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Suskind, one of the most pivotal changes to AGA clinical practice guidance is the emphasis on \u201ceating healthily.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recommendations state that all of our patients, outside of a select few, should be following the Mediterranean diet or a whole-food diet \u2014 or simply avoiding a high-sugar Westernized diet,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Another significant shift involves how clinicians manage asymptomatic narrowings or strictures. In the past, patients were advised to follow a low-residue diet; however, newer data no longer support this approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the research is telling us is that fiber is still good,\u201d Suskind said. \u201cIt should be soluble fiber, it should be fruits and vegetables that are cooked, peeled, mashed and chewed well. But fiber is not a no-no for narrowings in the GI tract.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other notable shifts in guidance for IBD management involves the use of interventional diets, such as exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) and the Crohn\u2019s disease exclusion diet. The updated recommendations now emphasize that these represent important options for adults, not just pediatric patients.<\/p>\n
For Suskind, however, one of the most significant changes is the addition of dietary intervention for active disease, with guidelines endorsing the Crohn\u2019s disease exclusion diet combined with partial enteral nutrition.<\/p>\n
\u201cEEN remains the mainstay of nutritional therapy in Crohn\u2019s disease,\u201d Suskind said. \u201cIt typically involves 6 to 10 weeks of exclusive formula nutrition, albeit we can adjust that plan to 2 to 4 weeks if that\u2019s what gets us to the next step of therapy. Despite strong evidence and effectiveness, we don\u2019t utilize it enough in our clinical practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
He emphasized to young investigators in the audience that \u201cthis is a great area to study, because this is the only intervention we have that has such [a] powerful impact, but is not necessarily an immune modulator.\u201d<\/p>\n
How can clinicians help their patients live healthier lives? Suskind recommends starting with the basic tenets of diet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to define healthy eating, focus on the positives of nutritional intervention, improve symptoms, improve nutritional repletion and growth, and address any concerns of our patients,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s important that we bring the subject up with our patients, because if we don\u2019t, somebody else will and they may be giving incorrect information.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information:<\/h2>\n David Suskind, MD<\/b>, <\/b>can be reached at gastroenterology@healio.com.<\/p>\n\n
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Published by:<\/span>\n
Sources\/Disclosures<\/h3>\n Source: <\/h2>\n Suskind, D. Role of diet in inflammatory bowel disease management and surgical optimization. Presented at: Crohn\u2019s & Colitis Congress; Jan. 22-24, 2026; Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
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