If you’re going out with a group, suggest three restaurants that you think will work well with your Crohn’s disease and let the group pick which restaurant everyone will go to. If you don’t have input about which restaurant you’re going to, make sure to call the restaurant beforehand and ask any pertinent questions that you might need answered.
Contact the restaurant beforehand to confirm that they will make substitutions and modifications. Also ask if there is any fee or increased charge for substitutions.
You can say, “I have an autoimmune disorder [or you can disclose that you have Crohn’s disease] and I have to be as careful about what I eat as someone with severe food allergies. I’d like to make a few substitutions, if that’s no problem. ” Similarly, you can print a small card and hand it to your servers that contains whatever information you’d like them to know, including your specific triggers. This is a great option because they can also show it to the chef, if necessary.
Always carry at least one day’s worth of your Crohn’s medications with you in a secured container and pocket. Make sure that you’re properly immunized, especially if you’re travelling internationally. If you have health insurance, verify that your policy and documentation is in order at least once per renewal period. Pack a snack bag full of safe, trigger-free, emergency foods that you can eat to tide you over. Consider keeping this and your medications together as a sort of emergency “go” bag. If you find yourself in a position without your medications or food, find the nearest grocery store or restaurant that can accommodate your dietary needs.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are common and must be corrected for proper healing. Folic acid is very important as well as extra vitamin B12. Getting enough vitamin D if you have steatorrhea is crucial. An oral supplement of 4,000 IU should be sufficient.
For example, you know that you should avoid fried foods because that’s a trigger for you. You decide that you’d like to try Japanese food, which is delicious and great for people with Crohn’s. Stay away from tempura and enjoy sushi or sashimi instead. Japanese cuisine is also loaded with vegetables, rice, and rice noodles, making this a great option. Or, suppose you’d like to try Greek cuisine. Greek cuisine is fairly Crohn’s-friendly, overall, boasting a wide variety of seafood, vegetables, and low-fat cooking techniques. Consider starting with a Greek salad, enjoying a sautéed or baked seafood entrée with a side of steamed vegetables, and make sure to ask for any sauces on the side.
Make sure that the vegetables are cooked as raw vegetables can also upset your intestinal tract. [9] X Expert Source Roy Nattiv, MDBoard Certified Gastroenterologist Expert Interview. 14 October 2020.
If someone offers you a beverage, politely decline with a simple, “Thank you! That’s kind of you, but I’m happy with my water tonight. ” If someone offers you an alcoholic drink, you can say, “Thanks, but I have to decline – I’m driving!” Nobody needs to know exactly why you’re drinking water.
Eating larger portions can trigger Crohn’s symptoms. Eating before you go out will help you manage your portion sizes since you won’t be as hungry and will also ensure that no trigger foods sneak into your meal. [14] X Expert Source Peter Gardner, MDBoard Certified Gastroenterologist Expert Interview. 25 August 2020 The key is small portion sizes. Try to avoid eating full meals at any point; instead, eat two snack portions.
Your friends may just need to be educated a little more about what Crohn’s is and isn’t, the symptoms, and your triggers. You can get into as much or little detail with your friends about what Crohn’s disease is and how it specifically impacts your body. You can say, “I have an autoimmune disorder called Crohn’s disease, which means my body is actually attacking its own GI tract. The symptoms can range from mild to very serious, depending on the progression of my chronic disease. Because of that, I have to be very careful about what I eat, just like someone who has a strong food allergy. This doesn’t mean I cannot go out and have a great time, but it does mean that I will need to be a bit more careful about where I eat and what I order. I’d love to tell you more about it sometime. ”
You may develop a low-grade fever or find blood in your stool. Again, treat those as your doctor has advised.
If you find yourself becoming stressed out or overwhelmed, deep breathing is an effective way to deal with it in the moment. Take deep, slow breaths, making sure your belly and not your chest rises with each inhalation. Exhale slowly and repeat until you begin to feel calm.
