Which diet is commonly prescribed prior to surgery and for patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease?

• A. High fiber diet
• B. Low fiber diet
• C. Renal diet
• D. Mechanically altered diet

Answer: (B)

Managing surgery and active disease in ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease focuses on reducing the gut's workload. A low-fiber (low-residue) diet lowers the amount of undigested food reaching the colon, which decreases stool frequency and bulk and minimizes mechanical irritation of an inflamed bowel. This helps prevent distension and obstruction and prepares the bowel for surgery by reducing fecal load and bacterial content. In contrast, a high-fiber diet would increase stool bulk and GI workload, potentially worsening symptoms. A renal diet is aimed at kidney disease and isn’t specifically beneficial for IBD perioperatively. A mechanically altered diet is used for chewing or swallowing difficulties, not to limit bowel irritation in IBD.