Content

• Steps
• Tips

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is chronic. There are two main types of IBD: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These diseases are somewhat similar, but, of course, there are differences. Ulcerative colitis affects the colon, on the inner surface of which red, inflamed ulcers appear. Ulcerative colitis of the rectum usually develops in people with frequent diarrhea. Stool often contains mucus and blood if the lining of the colon is damaged. Crohn's disease involves the ileum (the last part of the small intestine) and parts of the colon. However, Crohn's disease can occur almost anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammation of the intestinal wall spreads deeper and further than in ulcerative colitis. As a result, a special diet, which is prescribed for patients with intestinal inflammation, has a very significant effect on treatment.

Steps

1. 1 You need to know how to identify the symptoms. The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are abdominal pain and diarrhea.
   • Since diarrhea can be a very serious problem at times, constant blood loss through the rectum can lead to dehydration, a drop in blood pressure, and anemia. Other IBD symptoms include constipation, fever, chills, weight loss, fatigue.
   • Loss of nutrients and fluids often leads to unnecessary weight loss and malnutrition. It is important to stick to a diet to help your body restore metabolism and get rid of IBD symptoms.
2. 2 Eat small meals or snack every 3-4 hours. It is important to restore the digestive system and avoid overloading. If you absorb more nutrients at short intervals, your stomach pains while eating are likely to stop.
   • Set aside half of each main course back in the refrigerator for the rest of the meal later.
   • You should have 3 small meals and 3 snacks per day.
   • Snacks should always be prepared.
   • To eat less, buy small plates.
3. 3 When you feel the onset of symptoms, try to eat foods that are low in fiber. These foods are easier to digest, so they are less likely to cause digestive problems.
   • Instead of whole wheat and rye foods, it is recommended to eat bread, bagels, cereals and pasta made with white flour.
   • Eat white rice instead of brown rice.
   • Choose foods with less than 2 grams of fiber per serving.
   • Avoid corn, lima beans, navy beans, red beans, and black beans.
   • Eat well-cooked seedless vegetables, peeled potatoes, and vegetable juices.
   • Avoid most raw foods other than ripe bananas, peeled apples, and melons.
   • Eliminate dried fruits (raisins, prunes) from your diet.
   • Eliminate plum juice from your diet.
   • Choose skinless canned fruits.
4. 4 Drink plenty of fluids. It is very important to prevent dehydration.
   • Drink at least 8 cups of liquid every day.
   • Avoid caffeinated drinks because they quickly lead to dehydration.
   • If you are spending long periods of time at work or school, bring something to drink with you.
5. 5 When you do not have IBD symptoms, eat foods with probiotics and prebiotics.
   • Prebiotics are found naturally in many foods, especially foods high in fiber, including some fruits, vegetables, and grains. They often come in the form of food additives to certain foods, such as yogurt.
   • Probiotics are living organisms that are beneficial for digestion. They promote the growth of beneficial bacteria that are found in our digestive tract. They can be found in yogurt or other dairy products. Sometimes these products say “contains live cultures”. You can also use special supplements containing probiotics.
6. 6 Take a multivitamin. Your body may need more vitamins and minerals than usual. Diarrhea can drain your body, so you may experience acute vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
   • Choose a multivitamin with minerals from your pharmacy. They are available without a prescription.
   • If you are not sure which vitamins to choose, you can ask your dietitian or pharmacist questions.
   • Don't go for single vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, D, or E. They are fat-soluble and can be toxic to the body.
7. 7 Avoid fatty foods. These foods can cause stomach pain and worsen diarrhea.
   • Eat low-fat cheeses and drink low-fat milk.
   • Eat lean meat - skinless poultry, fried fish, tuna.
   • Consume less than 8 teaspoons of buttered foods a day. This concept includes: butter, margarine, vegetable oil, sour cream and lard.
   • Avoid fried foods.

Tips

• During the period when symptoms do not appear, you should include whole grains and various fruits and vegetables in your diet. It is not uncommon for some people to experience constipation after diarrhea. To avoid this situation, you need to include in the diet high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water. You need to start with a little fiber. As soon as symptoms begin to recur (such as diarrhea), immediately stop eating fiber foods and wait for the symptoms to clear up again.