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how MUCH should I be eating during a flare?

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Posted 11/15/2011 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
I can find advice all over the web about what types of foods to eat during a flare, but I'm confused about the amount of food to eat.

I'm having a moderate flare. Trying to eat roughly my usual amount (trying to stay above 1600 calories/day; my baseline [what I burn daily when I'm healthy] is about 1850). Frequent small meals, lots of water. Sticking with a BRAT diet plus easily-digestible proteins (egg whites and cultured proteins like tempeh and miso).

I've seen some advice that one should eat less, or even essentially fast for several days, during a flare.

What has worked for you during mild or moderate flares?
Posted 11/15/2011 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
(By the way, I fortunately will have my first appt with a dietitian next month, so she will help me longer-term; in this post, I'm just asking for advice for the moment.)
Posted 11/15/2011 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you are on the right track. Food cannot hurt you so as long as you are comfortable, eat like you normally do when you are not in a flare. Of course certain foods may be more irritating to your UC. My flares were really bad so I would be afraid to eat and I would have lots of nausea. That usually landed me in the hospital. It's important to eat a healthy diet and drink lots of fluids.
Posted 11/15/2011 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
I'm terrible with eating during a flare. When I'm miserable, I have no appetite... And I've been known to not eat at all for several days. At most I was eating 800 calories during my current flare. It consisted almost entirely of eggs and yogurt. I don't recommend that, though. Since I started SCD I'm feeling better about what I'm eating and even though I have some issues with getting enough calories some days, I still feel like I'm more on the right track. I eat a lot of chicken, fish, lamb, eggs, yogurt, fresh fruit (though I know not everyone can tolerate fruit) and cooked veggies. Maybe you could try something similar? You should definitely be eating AT LEAST your maintenance calories while flaring, with a bigger emphasis on protein and healthy fats.
Posted 11/16/2011 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
I usually have huge appetite issues during a flare. Less food=less mass trying to meander around my digestive tract=less razor blades keeping me on my toes all day/night. However, I count my cals to make sure that its absolutely enough.

Just read this yesterday, but according to Joy Bauer (famous dietitian that deals w/IBD) your calorie needs during a flare actually INCREASE. ("possibly up to one and half times your normal calorie level," she says.) I guess it makes sense since your body is working and under a lot of stress.

Anyways, good luck with the flare. I hope it gets better soon! (i'm right there with ya.)
Posted 11/16/2011 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
i tend to have the opposite issue while in a flare, mainly because i'm an emotional eater. when i was very, very ill this summer i tried the BRAT thing, but i'd just resort to french fries or something else terrible for me that tasted good because what i ate was making NO difference in terms of BMs, blood, or pain, so i'd at least try to eat something for pleasure. so, i wouldn't recomend that, but the other posters are right: try to maintain your caloric intake so you don't lose too much weight. honestly if i hadn't been eating fries this summer i would have lost even more than the 15 pounds i lost in a month.
Posted 11/16/2011 5:42 AM (GMT 0)
I eat the same way regardless of how bad or better my flare is, small meals whenever I feel hungry. It's easier on your digestive system compared to eating 3 big meals and snacks in a day. I also drink alot of water to help flush toxins and crap from my system...lots of water is very important since we IBDers tend to easily get dehydrated.
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