If you are now expecting to read the 10 miracle cures, I have to disappoint you. There is no general nutrition guide in the literature. Get rid of black or white mentality. However, one thing is sure: in acute episodes, the intestine needs to be relieved by low-fiber, low-fat and non irritant food, but it is still important to provide the body with sufficient amounts of minerals, vitamins, energy, protein and fluids during this period !

What does light food look like?

Here you can find examples from each category. The top priority, however, is to listen to your body. The proof of the pudding is the eating! Many have a pronounced intolerance to narcotics, such as lactose, fructose or gluten intolerance. In this case, you should of course  avoid these products. Generally you want to relieve the intestine, so chew well thus this is already half digested.

1. Increased need for nutrients

Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of fiber, which is why it is difficult to eat large amounts of them. It is important to deal with nutrition in order to have a rough overview of  what is included. In order to cover the nutrients / calories even in batches, the following tricks have proven useful for me:

• Eat fruits and vegetables as smoothies, because the smallest cell walls burst when mixed and the nutrients are optimal, since the intestine does not have to use as much energy to break down the food
• If there is an iron deficiency due to blood loss, take preparations from the pharmacy, such as Floradix verbena. Doesn't taste good, but it helps. in general, one should check the blood values regularly and substitute with the advice of the doctor. Remember that in IBD the absorption is disturbed, i.e. it is not absorbed through the damaged intestinal wall, which is why you may have to substitute via the vein. In general, I can also recommend LaVita outside the relapse. While it is expensive, it has concentrated vitamins and minerals and is recommended for IBD
• To cover the calories, nut nuts or oils can be added in smoothies or porridge
• Finally drink your food, like Fresubin, which not only contains calories, but also an optimal composition of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fats. You can get these in the pharmacy in many flavors, such as nut, vanilla, chocolate, cappucccino, berries, cherry, multivitamin, but you need a prescription. Just ask your doctor for prescription at least in Germany. 

2. Increased losses

The enormous water and electrolytes / mineral loss due to the diarrhea can lead to low blood pressure, high pulse, muscle weakness, dehydration, dizziness etc. It is therefore important to pay attention to the following:

• Pay attention to your drinking amount! It is best to keep a log to have an overview. Water and herbal teas soothe the intestines. Black tea and blueberry tea / juice also have a constipating effect, which you are happy to accept in this case. Blueberries also have antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory.
• Perhaps you have noticed that you have a craving for salty foods during flares. This is due to the loss of electrolytes. Believe me, vegetable broth is your blessing!
• Bananas are suitable to compensate for the lack of potassium, and they are also constipating
• Potatoes, white bread, rice are also suitable to make the stool more pulpy
• If all of this does not help, you can go tothe doctor for stronger means, who  inhibit bowel activity

3. Indigestion and absorption disorders

Life would  be too easy if everything went smoothly ... The walls of the digestive tract are so badly damaged, especially during a flare, that enzyme splitting and absorption into the blood circulation system can hardly be maintained. Therefore, you can throw the money for food supplements directly into the bin, because the body cannot absorb them (sufficiently). Therefore, you have to bypass the cycle and add the nutrients directly to the bloodstream via infusion. In return for enteral (via the digestive tract), this is called parenteral nutrition. This requires a hospital or outpatient stay. Kabiven is a common example. The advantage: like Fresubin, it contains an optimal combination of the materials that we need.

4. Insufficient food intake

Let's be honest: fatigue, pain, nausea, feeling of fullness, hours in the toilet ... who has an appetite? To be honest, you are happy when you have no pain for a moment and then you prefer not to eat before the horror starts again. Many  eat less because they hope to get the diarrhea under control according to the motto: If there is nothing in it, nothing will come out! But it is especially at this time it is important to take good care of the body: a car without fuel doesn't drive either! Inflammatory reactions and self-healing are pure energy suckers! So here are a few tips to help me eat more:

• Calorie counting: Not everyone´s cup of tea, but you can download apps or write down roughly what you eat to keep an overview.
• Several small meals as large ones so as not to overwhelm the intestines. It is also easier for me to eat smaller portions than if I have a large pile in front of me.
• I can generally eat cold, sweet food rather than hot, hearty meals
• Make food appeling: take your time to make the meal look appetizing
• Take a little walk! It sounds counterproductive, but if you can separate yourself from the toilet bowl at some point, a little exercise helps to stimulate your appetite!