WHAT TO EAT DURING AN IBD FLARE

There are two things to remember when you are having pain, nausea, diarrhea, or decreased appetite because of your Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis: stay hydrated and eat simply.

Stay Hydrated

You may be losing fluids if you have diarrhea and may not feel like drinking, but it's so important to give your body the fluids it needs to keep your cells and organs working. Don't wait until you are really thirsty, because that occurs when you are already on your way to dehydration. Check out some of the easy ways to get your fluids in.

Eat Simply

Eat feel-good, comfort foods as long as they aren't loaded with salt, sugar, fat and fiber. Some examples include:

• Home-made or low-sodium soups
• Low fiber foods, like pasta, white rice and mashed potatoes
• Simple protein sources: eggs, chicken, turkey and nut butters
• Peeled apples and bananas (but don't eat them if they bother you)
• Cooked carrots and pureed vegetables
• Low fiber supplements like Ensure or Boost if you can't manage to get food down
• Avoid foods that seem to trigger your symptoms .

If you can't get enough fluid and food in, make sure you speak with your doctor or nurse about your medicines or other measures to help you get better as quickly as possible