Healthline: 7 Healthy Eating Strategies for IBD Patients
Healthline recently interviewed dietitian Kelly Issokson, MS, RD, CNSC, of the Nutrition and Integrative IBD Program at Cedars-Sinai, about how patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can stick to their limited diet when cooking isn't an option.
Inflammatory bowel disorders, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, cause chronic inflammation that damages the gastrointestinal tract. Patients living with IBD must pay careful attention to everything they eat. They often lose their appetites and struggle to eat well, let alone enough.
Knowing which foods to eat is an important part of managing disease symptoms that come and go as IBD patients experience flare-ups and periods of remission. Eating well on the go can be especially challenging and requires planning and preparation.
"If you’re in remission, you actually want to look for plant-based fiber-rich foods. When ordering out opt for foods like salads, whole grains, nuts, and other veggies," Issokson told Healthline. "But if you’re in the middle of a flare-up, you want foods lower in fiber and easier to digest, like smoothies and soups."
When eating fiber, choose cooked, peeled or puréed produce, which is easier to digest than the raw version, especially for those experiencing stomach issues.
When options may be limited outside the house, it may be best to pack a meal and snacks. Whether eating at a café or munching from a lunch box, Issokson told Healthline it is never wise to rush.
“If you’re eating too quickly or too much, you still won’t feel great afterward,” Issokson said.
Click here to read the complete story from Healthline.