Everyone has good days and bad days. When you’re living with a chronic health condition, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), that phrase can take on a new meaning. But what if there were ways to have more of those good days? There are, and we’re sharing them in this special guide dedicated to managing your symptoms.
In the pages that follow, our goal is to equip you with healthy eating strategies to cool the inflammatory fire in your gut and help you feel stronger, healthier and full of energy.
We know it can be tricky to know what’s safe to eat. Maybe you’ve been told that broccoli and Brussels sprouts will make you gassy or that beans and whole grains are bloating. Or that spices are a nonstarter. It’s time to say goodbye to that old, outdated advice. A broad foundation of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lean proteins and dairy is the best way to load up on the healing nutrients your body—and gut—need now.
Of course, everybody has their own unique trigger foods, and you may already have an idea of yours. Flip to page 7, where you’ll learn how a food diary can be a powerful tool for pinpointing your personal troublemakers. “How to Eat During an IBD Flare-Up” (page 6) can tell you everything about stocking your kitchen with calming foods before you need them. And if you’re one of the three-quarters of IBD patients who find it difficult to eat during a flare, don’t miss “IBD and Loss of Appetite” (page 8). You can make eating more comfortable, even when you hardly feel like eating at all.
Speaking of healing foods, we hope you’ll check out our Good Food section. It’s packed with delicious, nourishing, no-fuss recipes that will give you more time and energy to savor those good days!
-KAREN ANSEL, M.S., RDN
COVER: CARSON DOWNING; THIS PAGE: MOMO PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES