Crohn’s & Colitis

• Experiencing challenging symptoms of IBD can seem daunting, but with appropriate medical care and the right diet, you can live confidently once again! Diet plays a major role being one of the most powerful, determinative actions you can take to minimize or eliminate symptoms.
• If you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, it may be difficult to obtain essential vitamins, minerals, and protein as your intestines may not work efficiently, and you may lose nutrients through diarrhea. This may lead to anemia through lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid.
• To control symptoms of diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, fever, bloody stools, and weight loss, people who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may eat only bland foods such as pasta, avoiding fruits and vegetables with the skin, while you are in the inflamed state.

Avoid the following to prevent symptoms:

• Dairy products for the lactose-intolerant.
• High-fiber foods such as raw fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.
• Gas-producing foods, such as beans, cabbage, broccoli, and onions.
• Foods with hulls, such as seeds, nuts, and corn.
• High-fat foods, such as fried foods, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, peanut butter, nuts, ice cream, and fatty red meat cuts.
• Spicy foods.
• Foods with caffeine, such as chocolate and coffee.
• Carbonated drinks.
• Alcohol.

Keep a food diary to determine which foods cause distress. During flare-ups, choose dairy products low in lactose, such as yogurt or hard cheeses such as cheddar, or drink lactose-reduced milk. If steatorrhea (fat in stools) is a problem, avoid fatty cuts of meat and choose sirloin, top and bottom round, chuck, or lean hamburger, poultry, or fish such as cod. Avoid frying foods; try baking or broiling instead.

To get the calories and nutrients you need:

• Eat a varied, nutritious diet high in calories and protein.
• Try eating 3 meals plus 2 snacks a day.
• Take vitamin and mineral supplements, with your doctor’s approval. You may tolerate liquid vitamins well.
• Try adding high-calorie liquid supplements, such as Ensure Plus and Boost Plus if you have difficulty maintaining weight. These are dairy-based, so use caution if you are lactose-intolerant or sensitive. There are dairy-free protein/calorie shakes on the market as well.
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, renal problems, and gallstones.

Speak to our Dietitians if your diet is uninteresting or you need assistance to create menus you will enjoy, get the nutrients you need and manage your weight healthfully.

diamondnutritioncounseling.com The Nutrition Counseling Specialists