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Nutrition and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
What Should I Eat During an IBD Flare?
Managing your diet during an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) flare is key to reducing symptoms and supporting recovery. Here’s an essential nutrition guide for managing symptoms.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Food matters: The right foods can help calm inflammation and provide essential nutrients.
- Listen to your body: Recognize your symptoms and adjust your diet as needed.
- Digestive challenges: Flares can make it harder to tolerate certain foods.
- Simple changes help: Small tweaks in what you eat or how you prepare meals can make a big difference.
Nutrition is critical for managing IBD. Proper nutrition has also been shown to help medications work more effectively at managing symptoms and maintaining remission. During a flare, food choices are extra important as the body needs extra nutrients to fight inflammation and heal tissue.
It's essential to prioritize easily digestible foods that provide the nutrients your body currently needs while being gentle on your digestive system. Consider these cooking methods during this time to help ease digestion:
- Steaming- Steaming retains nutrients while softening vegetables, making them easier to digest. This method is excellent for fibrous vegetables that are tough when raw.
- Baking- Baking is a healthy cooking option that preserves flavors without overwhelming the gut. Use gentle seasoning to avoid excess irritation.
- Boiling and Simmering- Cooking methods like boiling or simmering can help soften grains, legumes, and proteins, making them more gentle on the digestive system.
- Slow cooking or Pressure cooking - This method can save time and reduce energy expenditure, as most meals can be made in one pot.
- Avoid Frying- Fried foods can add unhealthy fats and oils, so aim for baking, steaming, or boiling to ensure better digestive health.
When you're feeling unwell, complex meal planning can add to the stress. Batch cooking larger portions of easier-to-digest meals can save you time and provide a nutritious meal during a flare. Often, these foods freeze well, allowing you to have ready-to-eat meals when your energy levels are low. Consider the following options:
- Broths and Soups: Homemade broths and soups can be soothing and hydrating.
- Rice, mashed potatoes, or squash: These starchy choices are gentle on the digestive system, easy to prepare in large quantities, and pair well with a protein source.
- Roast a variety of vegetables: pick several types of easily digestible vegetables (like carrots, green beans, turnips, broccoli, asparagus, or zucchini) and roast in the oven to pair with a variety of meals.
- Baked Proteins: Lightly seasoned chicken, ground beef, or fish can be baked in the oven and stored for later as a healthy protein source. Ready-made meatballs are a great way to store ground poultry, turkey, or beef in the freezer.
If you suspect a change in your digestive symptoms or feel that you are in the beginning stages of a flare, the first step should be to simplify your diet. Begin with a smaller menu of gentle foods and gradually add variety per your tolerance. This approach not only minimizes symptoms but also helps sustain energy levels throughout the day. Listen to your body and pay careful attention to the cues it is giving you. If certain foods consistently cause discomfort, avoid them, even if they are generally healthy choices. Adjust as necessary and make changes based on your evolving symptoms.
For more information on nutrition and inflammatory bowel disease, click here.
