English: When managing IBD — or just aiming for optimal health — how we think about food matters. Most of us grew up hearing about the food group model (I.e. sorting only by grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat.) While useful as a broad introduction, this system isn’t the most practical or accurate — especially for those of us managing chronic conditions that makes digestion, absorption and food tolerance highly individual. Instead, a better method is using a nutrient group chart model as it's more clear, adaptable, and better reflects what our bodies actually need —understanding more than just how to sort a food by it’s “type”, but by it’s nutritional content and impact on our health.

Nutrient Groups Include: • Proteins: Vital for building and repairing tissues, making enzymes, hormones, and supporting immune function. Found in meat, fish, eggs, tofu, beans, and lentils. • Dietary Fibre: The indigestible part of plant foods that supports digestion, promotes regularity, and feeds beneficial gut bacteria. • Carbohydrates: Your body’s main energy source, broken down into glucose. Found in grains, fruits, starchy vegetables, and legumes. • Fats (Lipids): Provide long-lasting energy, help absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), and support cell structure and hormones. Healthy fats include olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish. • Vitamins: Organic compounds needed in small amounts for immune support, bone health, energy metabolism, and more. • Minerals: Inorganic elements (like iron, magnesium, and calcium) crucial for muscle function, nerve signaling, and tissue maintenance. • Water: Often overlooked, but essential for nutrient transport, temperature regulation, detoxification, and literally every cell function.

Thinking in terms of nutrients lets you mix and match based on your needs and tolerance — especially important for IBD, where one person might tolerate brown rice but not whole wheat, or enjoy fish but not legumes.