Reclaiming Joy in Eating with IBD Featuring Stacey Collins, MA, RDN/LDN

Apr 22, 2025

People with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (forms of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD) were told for many decades that diet didn't affect the disease. Even today, some patients are still told this, even though there is now significant evidence that diet absolutely matters in IBD. Stacey Collins, MA, RDN/LDN describes how her journey with ulcerative colitis led to j-pouch surgery. Her philosophy as a registered dietician is one of “nutrition by addition" rather than by dietary restriction. Stacey also focuses on the emotional aspects of eating with IBD, including the understandable fear and anxiety around food.

 

Topics discussed:

• The role of diet in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Personal experiences with ulcerative colitis and dietary management.
• The misconception that diet does not impact IBD management.
• The philosophy of "nutrition by addition" versus dietary restrictions.
• The importance of individualized dietary approaches for IBD patients.
• The impact of food on gut health and bacterial diversity.
• Emotional aspects of eating with IBD, including fear and anxiety around food.
• The significance of finding joy in cooking and eating.
• Practical dietary recommendations for IBD patients, including the Mediterranean diet.
• The importance of community support and connection in managing IBD.

Find Stacey Collins, MA, RDN/LDN at:

• Stacey Collins Nutrition: https://www.staceycollinsnutrition.com/
• Twitter: @staceynellc_rd
• Instagram: @staceynellc_rd
• LinkedIn: @stacey-cutler-collins

 

Publications from Stacey Collins, MA, RDN/LDN:

• Scarlata K, Zickgraf HF, Satherley RM, et al. A Call to Action: Unraveling the Nuance of Adapted Eating Behaviors in Individuals with GI Conditions. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. Published online December 14, 2024. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2024.11.010
• Collins S, DIGID Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Workgroup. Iron in GI conditions. Patient.Gastro.org. 2024. https://patient.gastro.org/iron-in-gi-conditions/
• Collins S, Castelan VC, Wernick R, et al. Effects of nutrition status and perioperative nutrition supplement completion on postoperative outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease undergoing surgery. Gastroenterology. 2024;166(3):S22-S23. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2023.11.081
• Collins S. Surgery and Nutrition. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. 2024. https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/patientsandcaregivers/diet-and-nutrition/surgery-and-nutrition.
• Nishioka H, Hasegawa Y. Addressing sarcopenia in people with disabilities: definition, assessment, and nutritional care. Medical Nutrition Matters. Reviewed by Collins S. October 1, 2024. https://www.eatrightstore.org/dpg-and-mig-products/dmnt/addressing-sarcopenia-in-people-with-disabilities-definition-assessment-and-nutritional-care.

 

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• AboutIBD.com: About IBD
• Verywell: Verywell Health
• Facebook: @aboutIBD
• Twitter: @aboutIBD
• Pinterest: @aboutibd
• Instagram: @about_IBD
• YouTube: @AboutIBD
• Threads: @about_IBD

 

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

• Facebook: @maccooneycomposer 
• Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
• Web: Cooney Studio
• YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
• Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

 

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD 173

 

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