3 Quick Things

Hi Everyone! 

Improve your health with this week’s three simple IBD tips and takeaways.

Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Little changes lead to big results. We challenge you to take one small action today to benefit your future tomorrows.

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Warm Apple Pie Smoothie

Warm up with this green smoothie. That’s right, you can enjoy this smoothie warm or hot. No need to relegate smoothies to warm-weather only!

INGREDIENTS (serves 2)

• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 3-4 medjool dates (pitted)
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach, organic preferred
• 2 cups unsweetened almond or oat milk
• 2 green apples (cored and sliced)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pinch ground nutmeg, optional 

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine hot water, oats, and dates in the blender. Let stand 5-10 minutes. Next add the remaining ingredients. Blend at low speed, increasing speed until very smooth. If using a high-speed blender, continue blending using the soup function or high speed, until smoothie is hot. Enjoy! 

Scott says: I was so excited to try this recipe! I myself am partial to red apples, so I used those which tasted great. I didn't want two apples in a single sitting however, so I put half in a jar to save for later. And yep, it tasted great cold too :)

Recipe adapted from Simple Green Smoothies.

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Reader's Question

I read mushrooms can swell up and cause obstruction. Is that only whole pieces or could cream of mushroom soup also gel up and cause blockage?

Colleen says: Raw mushrooms are porous so they can absorb some liquid. That’s why recipes suggest cleaning mushrooms with a damp paper towel versus soaking them in water. Although, some experiments have shown that the amount of liquid absorbed is minimal. Cooked mushrooms aren’t as porous. They shouldn’t swell much (or at all) in the digestive tract. So, a mushroom soup is usually OK as long as the consumer chews the mushrooms very well. 

For someone at high-risk of obstructing, it’s best to err on the side of caution and puree the mushrooms. 

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Quote of the Week

“When I am prescribing a dietary therapy (for IBD), I talk to my patients and families and I say, ‘This is your drug and I expect the same compliance with therapy, the same compliance with monitoring and your willingness to move on if it isn’t working.’”

-- Dr. Lindsay Albenberg, DO, a pediatric gastroenterologist and IBD expert

Although lacking, research shows promise for nutrition as therapy in IBD, but patient compliance and shared decision making with their healthcare team is crucial. 

See what else Dr. Albenberg had to say on the topic of diet as therapy for IBD. 

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Remember, there’s no one perfect diet for everyone with IBD. If you or anyone you know struggles with what to eat with Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis, then check out our new ebook, Eating with IBD: The Essentials. Do you have a question about these topics, or something else? Just reply with your question to this email and it may appear in an upcoming newsletter.

In good health,

Colleen, Bertina & Scott

This newsletter is for informational purposes only and is in no way intended as medical counseling or medical advice. Results may vary.