Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the term used to describe long-term conditions: Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Microsopic Colitis. Although they share some similarities, they affect different parts of the digestive system and each person's experience can be very different. There may be times when your symptoms are well controlled (known as remission) and times when they become more active (often called a flare).

Living with IBD can be challenging, particularly when symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss or concerns about eating begin to affect everyday life. It is common to feel uncertain about what you should eat, especially during a flare or after receiving a new diagnosis.

While there is no single diet that can cure Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, good nutrition plays an important role alongside your medical treatment. The right dietary advice can help you maintain your nutritional status, reduce the risk of deficiencies, support recovery from surgery where needed, and give you confidence to enjoy food without unnecessary restriction. My approach is always personalised, practical and based on the latest evidence, helping you find a way of eating that works for both your condition and your lifestyle.

My specialist interest in Crohn's disease

Alongside my clinical work, I am an NIHR Associate Principal Investigator involved in the OCEaN (Optimisation before Crohn's Surgery using Exclusive Enteral Nutrition) trial, a multicentre study led by the University of Birmingham investigating nutritional optimisation before Crohn's disease surgery.