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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Reader's Question

What's something I can eat with my prednisone when I don't want a whole meal? I'm supposed to take it with food.

You’re right - it’s best to take prednisone with food as it can irritate your stomach lining. 

We’ll assume you’re looking for low-fiber options.

Prednisone can cause high blood sugar, so it’s important to limit your intake of added sugar and highly processed carbohydrates. All of us should eat less sugar and processed foods, anyway.

Here are some low-fiber, low-sugar snack ideas: 

• A small banana or peeled apple with 1-2 Tbsp creamy all-natural almond butter or an on-the-go nut butter pouch.
• A rice cake topped with 1-2 Tbsp tahini.
• Half an avocado with 1-2 slices fresh turkey breast.
• A small smoothie.
• Rx Kids Bar: Lots of protein bars have weird ingredients and added sugar in them. These have ingredients you’ll recognize. We like the Kids bars because they’re less dense. The adult version can cause more gas thanks to the dates.
• Kind Pressed Bars: Pineapple, Banana, Kale and Spinach is one of our favorites. One very cool feature on their website is the “What About The Texture” scale where they rank the bars from soft to hard. Softer is better for IBD.

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Prednisone Depletes Key Nutrients

Speaking of prednisone, beware that it can lead to nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B12, calcium, selenium, magnesium and vitamin D. Learn more at MyTavin, a free, user-friendly online resource that highlights medication-nutrient interactions.

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Lemony Kale Hummus

Kale isn’t exactly a go-to vegetable for most people with IBD. Sure, it’s a great source of key nutrients, but it’s super rough. Many with IBD wouldn’t dream of eating a kale salad. But what about when it’s pureed into a smoothie or hummus? 

Here’s Kate Scarlata’s recipe for a low-FODMAP, low-roughage kale hummus. 

Unlike its cruciferous siblings from the Brassica family, kale doesn’t cause a lot of gas, so it’s safe on a low-FODMAP diet. Plus, blending it removes a lot of the rough fiber. 

Let us know what you think!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 15-oz can garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or garlic-infused olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 cups baby kale 
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• 1/4 cup water
• sea salt and pepper to taste

MAKE IT

1. Drain and rinse garbanzo beans.
2. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor fit with metal blade.
3. Blend until smooth and creamy.

recipe adapted from Kate Scarlata

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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.