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A good approach to managing IBD is working with your gastroenterologist to find a treatment plan that works for you. This can include adapting healthy practices such as diet and nutrition.
Diet is the food you eat. Nutrition is your ability to absorb foods for health. Being tuned in to both is important since your needs could change based on whether you’re in remission and feeling good, or, if you’re experiencing symptoms. Therefore, it’s helpful to consider two diet and nutrition approaches:
Since the guidelines for each are general, the most important thing to follow is your gut…literally. A nutritious diet is a very customizable experience, so make it your own. Avoid the things that cause problems. Embrace the things that work for you. Try the tips below to make the call.
An everyday diet routine
Creating a daily routine for your diet can help you stay consistent with your dietary and nutrition goals, even if you have active flare-ups. A routine can take time to practice and establish, but once you settle into one, you’ll likely find that it helps you see how your IBD affects you, as well as what changes you can make to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Here are some tips to get started:
In remission, healthy eating is still the mission.
Even when you are not experiencing symptoms, it’s good to maintain a diverse and nutrient-rich diet every day that supports your overall health and well-being. The most important part is to have foods and drinks that help you stay healthy and hydrated. Some of these foods include:
Even when you are not experiencing symptoms, it’s good to maintain a diverse and nutrient-rich diet every day that supports your overall health and well-being. The most important part is to have foods and drinks that help you stay healthy and hydrated. Some of these foods include:
If you are just entering remission after having active symptoms, you can try to slowly introduce some of these foods, or the ones recommended by your doctor or dietitian.
The do’s and don’ts with a flare-up
During a flare-up, there are some basic guidelines you can follow. For example, adhering to a nutrient-rich diet, staying hydrated, preventing nutrient deficiencies, and ensuring good caloric intake. With that in mind, there are foods that can help achieve those goals, as well as foods to avoid.
Easy-to-digest foods:
There are certain foods that are more easily digested and can give you the vital nutrients your body needs. Some of these foods include:
Potential trigger foods (and drinks):
On the other hand, there are potential dietary triggers that could cause cramping, bloating, and/or diarrhea. Some of these foods and drinks include:
What are the best foods for a flare-up? The best foods are the ones that work for you. And that means learning from experience what your body tolerates and what it doesn’t.
Exercise for IBD: finding balance
Exercise has a lot of benefits like supporting your immune system, strengthening weak muscles, and reducing overall stress. These benefits don’t change when you have IBD. However, if you’re currently experiencing a flare-up, and you can’t exercise as you normally would, consider doing low-impact exercises that will still allow you to give your body what it needs.
Some low-impact exercises for people with IBD include:
Remember, everyone’s disease and abilities are different. Talk to your doctor to see what exercises you should practice when you’re in remission or during a flare-up. And it’s OK if you can’t exercise due to symptoms now—you can always pick it back up when you feel better.
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