Medical Nutrition

Symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can sometimes make it difficult to get enough calories and nutrition from food and supplements alone. Your healthcare provider may recommend nutritional therapy when IBD complications, such as weight loss, surgery, obstruction, or severe inflammation, prevent you from getting the right nutrients.

 

Healthcare providers can prescribe Enteral Nutrition (EN) a nutrient-rich, liquid formula that is taken by mouth or through a feeding tube that goes into the stomach or small intestine, but insurance plans often do not cover EN if formula is taken by mouth. 

 

 

 

Nutritional Support Therapy

When you have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and have experienced weight loss, obstruction, surgery, or severe inflammation it may be difficult to take it enough calories and nutrients from food and supplements and nutritional support may be necessary.
Learn more
Read the full white paper here

Advancing Access to Medical Nutrition Therapy for Pediatric IBD Patients

In the United States, access to medical nutrition therapy for IBD faces significant barriers, including lack of insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs ranging from $3,000 to $4,000 per month. Despite evidence showing that medical nutrition can be as effective as steroids—often serving as a standalone therapy—it is rarely covered unless administered via a nasogastric tube. To address these challenges, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation convened experts and clinicians specializing in IBD, along with patients, caregivers, researchers, industry representatives, insurers, and regulatory authorities, to develop a strategic action plan aimed at improving access to medical nutrition therapy in the U.S.

Learn more