How to Have a Crohn’s-Friendly Holiday

The holiday season doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself if you have Crohn’s disease. Here’s how to have a Crohn’s-friendly holiday.

Keep in Mind Your Trigger Foods

Remember, food doesn’t cause Crohn’s disease, but certain foods can trigger your symptoms. Which foods are bothersome is highly individual, so keep in mind what affects you and what doesn’t.

Ways to Avoid Triggers

One challenging part of the holidays is not being able to always control your meals because you’re at a gathering, or being tempted to have something you shouldn’t. Here are some recommendations to avoid triggers:

• Host the event yourself. This way, you can control the menu.
• If you’re attending an event, let the host know your dietary restrictions.
• Bring a dish you know you can enjoy, so you can avoid having to eat something that won’t agree with you.

Following these suggestions should mean an enjoyable holiday event. Keep in mind, you should also abide by Covid-19 guidelines for any holiday event or gathering.

General Guidelines to Decrease Triggers

Also, here are some general guidelines to decrease your trigger risk:

• Limit your intake of greasy foods
• Decrease your fiber consumption
• Keep dairy intake to a minimum
• Avoid nuts and sweets
• Eat smaller meals more frequently
• Stay hydrated and drink lots of water
• If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation
• Make sure vegetables are cooked through to make them more easily digestible
• Limit spices

These suggestions are a great way how to have a Crohn’s-friendly holiday. Enjoy the holidays, and stay healthy!