PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review examines the latest evidence and highlights the importance of personalized dietary therapies to augment conventional medical treatments in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Diversity in the maternal diet may reduce the risk of development of ulcerative colitis in utero, while a diverse diet during childhood may reduce the risk of future inflammatory bowel disease. During adulthood, the Mediterranean diet (MED) and Diet A Stop Hypertension may reduce the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease, with some evidence to support that anthocyanin intake is a beneficial component of the diet. For dietary therapy for the maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease, it appears that the MED and simple carbohydrate diet and variations of this diet may be beneficial, although more trials are needed to confirm this. SUMMARY: the role of diet in preventing inflammatory bowel disease and treating symptoms continues to evolve and dietary changes may be considered in addition to medical therapy in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.