Anyone who is unfortunate enough to suffer from Crohn’s disease knows how debilitating it can be. It can take a toll on your daily routine and life, leaving you unable to complete simple tasks or enjoy yourself.
It’s essential that colon health is vital in maintaining a normal and healthy lifestyle without feeling adverse effects from your Crohn’s.
In this article, we will go through and explain 5 top colon health tips to bear in mind when keeping your Crohn’s at a manageable and comfortable level. Read on to learn more about what you can implement into your lifestyle.
1. Consistency Is the Key!
When thinking about your diet and habits as a whole, try to maintain a consistent eating pattern and eat similar foods. Your body and colon will respond accordingly when you rapidly change your diet or eat different types of foods.
Eat your meals at regular times each day so that your body is used to a consistent and usual cycle of eating and digestion. The amount of food you consume is also something to think about. Smaller portions with snacks in between are much better for your gut health than having larger meals less frequently.
This is because it creates more strain on the colon and intestines to digest larger amounts of food at one time than smaller amounts of food over regular intervals. Be kind to your gut and give it less to do!
Things to consider are festive periods or holidays where you will be exposed to fattier foods in a large quantity. It’s okay to indulge a bit, but make sure you are tracking your eating habits to prevent complications from your digestive system.
2. Add Plenty of Fruit and Vegetables to Your Diet
For excellent gut health recipes, fruit and vegetables are one of the best additions for anyone wanting a healthy colon.
Fruit and vegetables are high in fiber which promotes regular bowel movements and ensures your colon is working efficiently. They also have plenty of other health benefits which can lead to weight loss and feeling a better sense of health overall.
Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, watercress, and romaine lettuce are rich in vitamin K which is essential for healthy blood and bones. It ensures that your organs and digestive system are working to the best of their ability.
If you aren’t a massive fan of fruit or vegetables, integrate them into your diet slowly. You can make simple pasta sauces by blending onions, tomatoes, carrots, and celery, which tastes delicious.
Or what about a vegetarian chili using sweetcorn, mushrooms, peppers, and vegetarian mince? Whatever your food preferences are, there are solutions to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet.
3. Avoid Red Meat and Processed Food
The reality is that red meat isn’t a good fit for those that suffer from Crohn’s disease. This is because red meat, such as beef or pork, takes a long time for the gut to digest.
This can then lead to constipation and a build-up in the colon area which is painful and can flare up an attack of Crohn’s. It’s better for Crohn’s suffers if they do give up red meat entirely, but if not, then limit your red meat consumption to once a week.
This is the same for processed foods, such as ready meals or pies and pastries, they are often high in saturated fat which can irritate the gut and cause pain in Crohn’s sufferers.
Make sensible choices when it comes to snacking. It can be easy to reach for a doughnut or cake, but if you do a bit of pre-planning you are more likely to keep on track. Vegetable sticks with hummus or fruit and yogurt can be a gut-friendly choice for a go-to snack.
4. Incorporate Probiotics into Your Routine
The benefits of probiotics for Crohn’s disease sufferers have been scientifically proven to help with their gut health. Probiotics help with maintaining a good balance of living organisms in your gut which supports a healthy intestinal tract and digestion.
This environment enables that the intestinal tract is free from harmful bacteria that can impact regular bowel movements and cause abdominal pain and cramping.
By implementing probiotics into your daily lifestyle, it will help to provide a healthy and unencumbered environment for all your intestinal tract requirements.
5. Drink Water: Avoid Fizzy Drinks and Alcohol
Choosing to drink water as a hydration tool is the best way to ensure that your colon health is at its peak. It is free from all sugars and salts which are usually added to fizzy or carbonated drinks.
Water is the best way to stay hydrated and won’t in any way upset your digestive system. However fizzy drinks and alcohol can be high in sugars and gases that actively upset the gut and causes Crohn’s symptoms.
Alcohol especially can cause irritation to the gut, as it can be difficult to absorb and break down. It leaves you feeling more tired and dehydrated which can lead to you being more susceptible to catching other illnesses.
Choose lower alcohol alternatives when drinking alcohol and ensure that you are staying properly hydrated with water alongside it.
Colon Health: Where Can I Find Out More?
We hope this article on the top 5 tips for better colon health has been helpful in making you reconsider your habits and diet.
Keeping a regular eating schedule that is high in fiber and low in saturated fats is key in maintaining a healthy gut and colon. Make these changes today and feel those results in your overall health.
If you have any questions or queries about any of the issues raised in this article, why not contact us directly? Or read one of our previous blog posts?
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