Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)

Here are some tips to keep trigger foods away while attending gatherings this holiday season:

Keep it in your family.
Let your family know what foods you can't handle so they will understand. If you don't let then know, you run the risk of 2 unfavourable outcomes:
1. Either you starve yourself at the next family gathering because you can't tolerate any of dishes served on the table.
2. Or, you eat something you shouldn't, and pay for it later.

Know your limits.
I know it must be tempting to push the envelope, but ask yourself, is it worth having your IBD symptoms flare-up again? Then suffer for the next few days?

Stick to your schedule.
Don't get out of schedule and habits you've worked so hard all year. Try keeping you healthy eating habit during the holidays too.

Know when to say 'no'.
As hard as it is, you have to say 'no'. We've all succumbed to pressure to eat ad drink things we know we shouldn't. There's no harm in a polite but firm 'no, thank you' when you need to say it.

And if all else' fails.
Bring a dish to share that you can eat from home. Explain to your host your condition or simply say you aren't feeling well. You don't have to be specific if you don't want to. Usually, 'I'm not feeling well' or 'I have upset stomach' will suffice. Most people could relate to these and won't press you overmuch to elaborate.