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The holiday season (hopefully) is an amazing, warm, love-filled time. If you have a form of IBD (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, or microscopic colitis), it can also be draining, overwhelming, and a time when more symptoms pop up. There are ways to make the holidays not only more manageable, but fun. Make it work for YOU. Comment at the bottom of this article to let me know which of these resonate with you or if you have even more tips!
Be prepared
Being successful in any scenario when you have IBD is all about preparation. Let us refer to the quote, “If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.”
Safe foods
If you are traveling by car, plane, train (or boat?), preparing with safe foods is very, very, important. First, let’s talk travel snacks. I would pack things like: Bananas and other whole-fruit that travels well, like apples, pears, and oranges, Chomps meat sticks, plantain chips (look for one with coconut oil vs. a seed oil), tin cans of salmon/chicken/turkey, tea bags, GoMacro/other gluten free bars, as well as a small cooler or insulated lunch bag to take a few cold items like: yogurt (any kind you tolerate), cut up cheese (as tolerated), salami/prosciutto, grilled or rotisserie chicken, cooked bacon, cooked veggies, and soup or bone broth. It is my understanding you can take fully frozen food through security onto airplanes. You can browse some safe snacks from Amazon, here.
I love starting my morning with warm lemon water some days, but especially when I am traveling and not eating my normal diet. It jump starts digestion and makes me feel cleansed and ready for the day, so I pack lemons!
When it comes to the holiday meal I know that can get tricky. It doesn’t hurt to ask the host what is on the menu and let them know you will bring a couple of dishes you know are safe for you. Chances are, there will be a few things on the table that already work for you. Generally, the main event, like the turkey, ham, or roast, is IBD friendly. Some sides, like green beans or roasted potatoes or glazed carrots, may be IBD-friendly.
Note that if you’re in a Thriving season of health, you likely can tolerate more foods outside of your normal template. If you are more symptomatic or in a flare, you will want to pay more attention.
If what to eat with for your IBD is a big, confusing question mark, I put together this ebook to support you in all seasons of IBD healing – Flaring, Healing, and Thriving. Grab your copy here.
Supplements
Do not forget your supplements! I always travel with extra supplements. Living and eating outside of the home means you can consume ingredients you do not always eat, and sometimes those don’t settle well. It is NOT a good time to feel stuck somewhere outside of oyur home, without the proper tools to soothe your body. You can shop many of my recommended supplements here, and receive 10% off and free shipping on orders $50 or more.
I recommend you grab the digestive enzyme, HCL supplement (if you are not on antacids), activated charcoal (if you are not constipated), and probiotic in my store, as well as LMNT electrolytes (get a free multipack in your order with this link) and Pique tea SunGoddess Matcha and Daily Radiance Elderberry and Vitamin C, as a basic lineup. I would also grab Elemental Heal, a high-quality, liquid nutrition supplement. This will come in handy if you experience flare-like symptoms while traveling, and can’t get a hold on many safe foods (or don’t have the appetite for solid food). Just be sure to bring a shaker bottle or use a blender if you have access. You can read more about how to use this product, here.
If it is too bulky to pack all the supplements that contain capsules, pour them into sandwich bags and label. You will save a lot of space!
Wellness tools
I like to pack my castor oil pack, facial and body dry brushes, and red light therapy device, to feel my best. I despise coming home from travels feeling icky and off my routine/health game. I try as much as possible to not go off track too much, simply because it doesn’t feel good! Self love is putting in a little extra work to take care of yourself.
I recommend packing a heating pad if abdominal pain is something you experience occasionally. You can even pack these to wear when you are out and about and cannot be plugged in!
Get extra rest
Rest is so underrated. Not enough sleep can influence you to opt for foods out of convenience or that fulfill a craving more likely than if you are well-rested. The lack of sleep alone and the stress it can cause can exacerbate IBD symptoms. Even if you don’t sleep, simply resting your body, closing your eyes, and just being, will help you recharge.
It is OKAY to break from the group or back out of an activity to get some rest. Remember, you may require more rest than your family. Put your wellness first. Everyone will be all right 🙂
Stay hydrated
I will reiterate here to pack LMNT and Pique tea products (like SunGoddess matcha and the BT Fountain electrolyte) with plenty of water. Feel free to add lemon to this. Get a solid water bottle. If you have access to filtered water, I am loving these glass water bottles on my wishlist, or a Brita filtered water bottle.
Stay Comfortable
Pack all the comfies. Extra clothes and extra comforts never hurt. Better be safe than sorry. Nothing worse than feeling ill and all you have to wear are jeans, a dress, or your very old PJs!
In Summary
By thinking ahead, preparing, and communicating, you can have an IBD-friendly holiday season. I wish you all the health, wealth, and abundance this year!! xx
