my 12 year old son is currently being tested

The following link takes you to the introductory phase of a diet that has helped some people with Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis. Depending upon whether it works, then you can decide whether you want to continue with the diet (SCD diet):

http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/beginners_guide/the_intro_diet2.htm

Some people promote Ensure as a way to boost calories, but I hate to recommend it because it is filled with sugar, corn syrup, maltodextrin, soy oil, carrageenan and other ingredients that aren't really good for anybody. Some of the ingredients, like sugar, can make diarrhea worse. 

The BRAT diet, (only on a short term basis - a few days or moments when things are at their worst because not much nutritional value) sometimes helps people with diarrhea, but I'm not sure it is good for Crohn's because of the grains included. It means bananas, rice, applesauce, toast. 

I hope they diagnose him correctly, soon...as a parent, I know just how worrisome it can be.

Please keep in touch with this site with any other questions or if you just need to vent:)

Meanwhile, there is another web site, targeted more at parents: www.dragonpack.com When you get to this site, just click onto "IBD Support Community"

Hello and welcome to Healing Well and the A & P forum. You will meet many warm and caring members here with a wealth of information.  I am sorry your son is ill and I am sure you are very worried about him as you have every right to be.

You might also request a consult with a nutritionist as he is young and still growing.  He needs his nutrients and it would be helpful to sit down and talk face to face with someone so you could ask questions.

Stay with us and keep posting. Again a warm welcome.

I self diagnosed at 13, my Mom had it so I knew what I was looking at. So I really do feel for your son. And as a parent of two, I can feel for you. I have been watching my daughters for signs since the moment they were born practically.

If your son is in pain, he is probably flaring, so I would be careful of anything with too much fiber. I would recommend the Carnation instant breakfast too, but I would suggest making it with Lactaid milk or Soy milk. Just in case he has a sensitivity to lactose. A lot of CDers do. Also, any of the meal replacement drinks, Ensure, Boost, even Slimfast. But not as a replacement, as a drink with a meal or as a snack. You want to give him things that are high in calories for their bulk, if that makes sense. Like if you make him scrambled eggs, add an extra egg yolk, because that is where the calories are. Put Peanut butter on his toast instead of butter. Anything you can think of to increase his calorie intake without overloading his system. He probably doesn't feel much like eating, so let him eat whatever he feels like, even if it isn't the proper "time". Like if he wants ice cream for breakfast, let him, its calories. Of course these are all assuming he can tolerate these things.

You can try to get the following cookbook from Amazon. I got a used copy for just a few dollars. It has chapters on how to increase calorie counts, what to eat for low residue, what to eat when you need to keep to liquids, what to eat if you need just soft foods. It really is very helpful. The woman who wrote it is a registered dietian.

"Cooking Well for the Unwell" by Eileen Behan

Best Wishes and I hope your son feels better soon