Crohn’s Disease and Thanksgiving Dinner

Crohn’s disease can be painful as the main cause of abdominal pain associated with the disease is an inflamed small intestine. Symptoms include pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and feeling full. Just because your body won’t digest some of its food properly shouldn’t stop you from enjoying Thanksgiving dinner. Here are some tips to eating better at Thanksgiving.

The first thing to do is be prepared ahead of time. Know what to do and how much to eat and know how you’re feeling before you eat. If you know what to expect, then you can act accordingly.

Chew your food really well. You don’t want your digestive system to work any harder than it already does when you eat.

If you are taking anti-inflammatory drugs, make sure you have been taking your medication properly and on time. Did you remember to pack your medicine when you left for Thanksgiving vacation?

Drink some yogurt beforehand that has acidophilus in it. Yogurt’s probiotics will aid in your small intestines when they try to digest things.

Make sure your intestines haven’t had anything in them for a while. In other words, make sure they have rested before you eat a nice-sized meal like Thanksgiving.

Do not drink any diuretics such as coffee, tea, or dark colored sodas. They will only exacerbate the symptoms of Crohn’s disease and make the diarrhea worse.

Don’t overstuff yourself. Eat a little bit, and then take a break. Eat a little more, and then take a break. Eat until you are just starting to get full instead of stopping when you can’t take another bite whatsoever.

Eat foods high in fiber like rolls, celery, and other grains and vegetables. Squash and zucchini are also good sources of fiber. Fiber helps to clean out your intestines and may help prevent diarrhea associated with Crohn’s disease.

Try having a fiber supplement beforehand from the best clinic to clean out your intestines before you eat. It may reduce symptoms of diarrhea and help you to eat better while you are sitting there amongst friends and family.

Have fun. Even though you may get some pain, eat and enjoy the wonderful food spread before you. All you have to do is be aware of what you are eating and you should be fine.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Seek the help of a licensed physician if you are diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and need advice on what to eat for Thanksgiving.