Digestive and Gastrointestinal Conditions

Many conditions affect your ability to digest food well. These healthy eating resources can help you make healthy food choices that work best for you and your gastrointestinal condition.

Featured Topics

Chewing Difficulties

If you have a hard time chewing, it may be difficult to maintain a healthy diet. Learn about foods that are soft, moist and easy to chew.

• Healthy Eating Guidelines for People with Chewing Difficulties

Constipation

If you have hard bowel movements and feel unable to empty your bowel completely, you may be constipated. Find information about the causes of constipation and the dietary tips that can help relieve or prevent constipation.

• Managing Constipation in Adults (HealthLinkBC File #68l)

Diverticular Disease

Diverticular disease occurs when pouches in the intestine become inflamed. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills and cramping. Learn about the steps you can take to help prevent or control diverticular disease.

• Healthy Eating Guidelines for People with Diverticular Disease

Fibre

Dietary fibre is important for your health and can be found in grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Learn how to select foods high in fibre and the amount of fibre to aim for each day.

• Fibre and Your Health (HealthLinkBC File #68h)
• Healthy Eating Guidelines for Reducing Dietary Fibre

Gallbladder Disease

Learn about the risk factors for getting gallbladder disease, suggestions for helping to prevent the disease, and steps you can take before and after surgery.

• Healthy Eating Guidelines for People with Gallbladder Disease
• Healthy Eating Guidelines for Preventing Gallbladder Disease

Gluten Free Eating for Celiac Disease

If you have Celiac disease it means that you cannot eats foods that contain gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, triticale and barley and is found in many processed foods. Learn about gluten free eating, including recipes, products, and restaurants.

• Gluten Free Eating Resources

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Find resources that will help you learn about inflammatory bowel disease and how to maintain a healthy diet.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Resources

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Learn about the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and advice for managing these symptoms.

• Healthy Eating Guidelines for People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Lactose Intolerance

Find out information about what lactose intolerance is, what the symptoms are, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated.

• Lactose Intolerance

Peptic Ulcers

Find information on how to manage your ulcer through healthy eating.

• Healthy Eating Guidelines for People with Peptic Ulcers

Useful Websites

Canadian Celiac Association

The Canadian Celiac Association is dedicated to supporting people with celiac disease through awareness programs, advocacy, education and research. This website provides information about celiac disease, including what it is, the symptoms, diagnosis, related diseases and conditions and how to manage the disease. Information is also provided about the gluten free diet.

• Canadian Celiac Association

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC)

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada website provides information to help educate and increase awareness about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For more information about living with IBD, click on the link below:

• Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC)

Dietitians of Canada - Lactose

The Dietitians of Canada serve Canadians by maintaining high professional standards, advocating for sound public policy that promotes health, and providing trusted evidence-based nutrition information for both the public and registered dietitians. This Dietitians of Canada web page provides information on healthy eating guidelines for lactose intolerance. For information on managing lactose intolerance through healthy eating and the lactose content of common foods, click on the link below:

• Dietitians of Canada - Lactose

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) - Lactose Intolerance (US)

The NDDIC, which is associated with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aims to increase the knowledge and understanding about digestive diseases. For more information about lactose intolerance, what causes it, what the symptoms are, and how it can be managed, click on the link below:

• National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) - Lactose Intolerance (US)