Whether you were freshly diagnosed or are already a veteran among us IBD patients, a life in active phase and the accompanying digestive problems such as diarrhea and pain, are stressful and exhausting. It feels like being in constant war with your own body. These thousands of stitches on the abdominal wall and other side effects such as fever – well, how often would you want to be in another skin?

I have Crohn’s disease for over 9 years now, I was diagnosed during my puberty. Back then, I was fighting one chronic suffering after the other. With the surgery, I finally found my peace. Now I am without medication! It was a long and exhausting way to get there – with many attempts and even more failures. I did a lot of research, consulted a lot of doctors (even if they were not always nice) and talked to IBD patients. Over the years, I gathered tips on nutrition that have greatly contributed to my improvement. And that’s exactly what I want to share with you today!

1. Test yourself for intolerances.

IBD patients often suffer from various food intolerances due to the stressed intestinal barrier, mainly gluten, lactose or fructose intolerance. The diarrhea and strong pain must not be caused by Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative colitis. Therefore, test yourself for intolerances before you panic. Intolerances may either evolve or disappear over time. Especially during the chronic suffering, the intestine is particularly stressed and reacts intensely on different foods.

2. Hold onto balanced, clean nutrition.

During my chronic suffering, I preferred light and unbalanced dishes. Mostly even only a dry roll throughout the whole day.  I had less problems running to the toilet, so was at least my assumption back then. This is wrong and can even worsen the progression of the disease! Malnutrition can lead the further symptoms, in addition you will feel weak and sick. Therefore, make sure you find the best possible balance of vegetables, fruits, meat and nuts. At the beginning, you may think that there is not much left you can tolerate. But that’s not true, just look in my recipes and try something new!

3. Treat yourself – eat regularly and slowly.

Your gut is an important organ, you have to nourish it and maintain it’s microbiota. On one hand, it is important to eat regularly. It’s amazing how you can program your body as well as your gut. The gut gets used to it and can better prepare for it. You should also chew slowly and thoroughly, because that relieves our bowels too.

4. A specific diet does not exist. However there are tricks that help.

Of course, at the beginning it is very exhausting to keep a food diary and to find intolerances and the foods that should be avoided, BUT IT’S WORTH IT! I can only recommend it and you will quickly become an expert yourself. I have learned that my gut cannot tolerate heavily processed products, fast foods, sugars and lactose. Therefore, I’m letting them out. Of course, I’m not perfect and now and then I have a cheat day;)! But that’s only possible in special cases, for example, if I do not have any plans for the rest of the day …

5. Some basics for chronic suffering.

During active phase of Crohn’s I try to take the strain off my bowel and stick to basics. When I talk about basics, I mean a very simple diet, the smallest possible portions, several times a day (up to 5 times!):

Lean meat

Vegetable / chicken broth

Small amounts of steamed vegetables

Mashed potatoes (alternatively: made from sweet potatoes)

Rice with carrots

Pureed bananas (I can not tolerate apples)

I would recommend to avoid fiber-rich foods.

Every morning,  I drink my lemon-ginger water as a starter.