Food triggers and flare ups

[sarahlovesskittles]

Hi there, my name is Sarah, I’m 31 and got diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in June 2016 and I am struggling to identify if any particular foods trigger a flare up... I tried to eliminate wheat and dairy but only lasted a few weeks and couldn’t see a huge difference... but then sometimes I can eat something and I have to go to the toilet almost immediately... anyone had any success identifying foods? Thanks x

[willow24 Administrator]

Hi, there is no food that triggers a flare, some people find certain things aggrevate their IBD and therefore avoid these items, but it is not the same for everyone. IBD is not caused by food intolerances or allergies, its basically your body rejecting your bowels. Its a good idea when trying to identify a food group that agrrevates your IBD by removing one at a time. try a month without wheat, then a month without dairy etc.

It is best to eat a low fibre when your having a flare as it is easier on the bowel. During a flare it is common to immediately go to loo as you start to eat or have eaten as enzymes are released in your stomach and gut as soon as you start chewing in preperation to break it down.

In Sept last year I had a sudden reaction to sulphasalazine that had been increased dramatically. From there I became allergic to milk and milk products and food colourings (found in most meds!). I have cut these out of my diet but still have no relief with my crohns. I have also tried excluding gluten in the past but the only foods that I know do aggrevate me is high fat and chinese.

Sorry I couldnt be more helpful x

[sarahlovesskittles in reply to willow24]

Aww thank you for taking the time to reply xxx believe it or not I went to church with my friend and her family about a month ago when I was having a bad flare and they prayed for me at the church and I’ve not had a flare up since!? I take 2.4g modified release mesalazine and when I get a flare up I double it and I do 2 weeks of enemas then I’m ok for a few weeks then I get another flare up and that has seemed to be my pattern... Could be coincidence but how lovely! Haha xxx

[SORRELHIPPO]

I have Crohn's and ended up keeping a food diary for a good 6 months, if I am already having problems all citrus fruits cause me problems, some chinese and indian dishes, fizzy drinks and as mentioned already high fibre food is a problem. I now puree most vegetables, get my nuts in butter form. When in early recovery mode find eggs, fish, (both very plainly cooked),potato (no skin), bananas, avacodo and cream of chicken/tomato soup are my main diet. Maybe not that good a diet but works for my guts!! Because I feel so tired all the time do find I crave high fat high protein foods, as I live in a busy high street, next door to a small supermarket, I have been known to be awake for 2-3 hours at night with the devil on one shoulder saying I could be dressed in 10 mins, and go next door for a bar of chocolate, whilst the angel is nagging me about the stupidity of this action!! milk choc causes me a problem but good quality dark choc is fine. Good luck with your investigations