Kimberly A. Tessmer - Tell Me What to Eat If I Have Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Nutritional Guidelines for Crohns Disease and Colitis

Nutritional Guidelines for Crohns Disease and Colitis

By Kimberly A. Tessmer, RD LD

Copyright 2012 by Kimberly A. Tessmer, RD, LD

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T ELL M E W HAT TO E AT I F I H AVE I NFLAMMATORY B OWEL D ISEASE
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Tessmer, Kimberly A.

Tell me what to eat if I have inflammatory bowel disease : nutritional guidelines for Crohns disease and colitis/Kimberly Tessmer. -- 1

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-60163-195-4 (pbk.) -- ISBN 978-1-60163-631-7 (ebook)

1. Inflammatory bowel diseases--Popular works. 2. Inflammatory bowel diseases--Diet therapy--Recipes. 3. Self-care, Health--Popular works. I. Title.

RC862.I53T46 2012
616.344--dc23

2011037716

I dedicate this book to all of those people out there that deal with IBD every day. I have learned so much by writing this book and have a much better idea of the challenges you face, and I praise you for the daily strength it takes. I hope this book is able to help you in some way. I also dedicate this book to my dad and my late mom whom I miss dearly. I thank them both for the gift they passed on to me of helping others. They have shown me all my life how important it is to be there and take care of each other. That is what gives me my passion to be a dietitian and help others deal with their struggles.

A loving thank you to my wonderful husband, Greg, who works so hard, which allows me to do what I love; and to my daughter, Tori, who was patient enough to give Mommy the time to do her writing. Thank you to all of my family and friends for your love, support, and encouragement. I would like to sincerely thank all of the health professionals who offered their advice, recommendations, and delicious recipes for this book. A special thank you to Kate Scarlata, RD, for use of her valuable information.

At the time this book was written all information in this book was believed by the author to be correct and accurate. Information on inflammatory bowel disease changes frequently as more research is being completed. Always keep yourself up-to-date by reading reputable and current publications and speaking with your healthcare provider. The author shall have no liability of any kind for damages of any nature however caused. The author will not accept any responsibility for any omissions, misinterpretations, or mis-statements that may exist within this book. The author does not endorse any product or company listed in this book. Always consult with your healthcare provider for medical advice as well as recommendations on any type of supplement or herbal supplement you plan on taking. The author is not engaged in rendering medical services and this book should not be construed as medical advice, nor should it take the place of regular scheduled appointments with your healthcare provider and dietitian on a regular basis.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, is a term that covers a complex group of diseases that tend to be difficult to diagnose and, at times, treat. Two of the most common forms of IBD are Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. That may sound like a lot of medical jargon, but in simpler terms IBD is a group of disorders that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Though there are some similarities between Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis there are also some major differences. One big difference is the area of the digestive tract that they affect. Ulcerative colitis mainly affects the large intestines (the colon) and the rectum, whereas Crohns disease most commonly affects the small intestines and/or colon, though it can affect any part of the digestive tract.

IBD can affect people with varying degrees of intensity, symptoms, and illness. Although medications and, in some cases, surgery may be the treatment of choice, diet is another important element that should not be forgotten in the goal to help relieve symptoms, reduce the number of flare-ups, and restore quality of life. And the good news is that diet is one thing we do have control over.

With more than 1.4 million Americans thought to have IBD, people with this disease are hardly alone. As awareness of this disease grows so does the pool of resources, support groups, and current research. You dont have to go it alone, and there are steps you can take to help gain back some control of your life and your health.

This book serves just that purpose. This book will help people diagnosed with IBD better understand their disease and gain knowledge of what exactly they can do from a dietary and lifestyle standpoint. Not only will it provide insight to you, but also to family members and friends on whom you lean for support. You will find in this book practical information, diet advice, answers to your questions, useful information about supplements and other alternative treatments, helpful recipes, and more. My hope is that people with IBD will use this book to feel less helpless and more empowered about their life and health.

This book should not substitute, in any way, visits to your doctor and dietitian who specialize in these types of disorders. It should in no way be used as your only means of treating your disease. Instead, the book should be used as a complement to your medical teams instructions and advice and also used as a reference when needed.

Are you one of almost 1.4 million Americans that suffer with inflammatory bowel disease- or what is better known as IBD? Do you question whether you or a loved one may have this disease? Have you been diagnosed but are still unsure as to what it is you really suffer from? To accept your disease and take part in managing your symptoms you first need to truly understand the nuts and bolts of this disease. This chapter will attempt to begin answering some of your most burning questions and clarify what you may have heard from your doctor but are having trouble getting a handle on. You will learn all of the most pertinent information on IBD in this chapter and throughout this book.

How does the digestive tract function?