CDED Reflections

So I tried to manage my last Crohn’s flare with diet, and a heavy dose of steroids. I tapered off the steroids and did not have a relapse of symptoms. I believe this is because (1) steroids are a cheap, widely available, and effective treatment for Crohn’s flares, and (2) diet has an impact on gut health and functioning.

I am in clinical remission, but not “deep” remission because I do not want to get another colonoscopy, so it is unknown what is going on in my guts. So endoscopic remission is unverified.

I found that, while on the steroids, my symptoms fluctuated depending on diet. I found that the Crohn’s disease exclusion diet (CDED) has helped my symptoms, both during a full blown flare and when I eat something that messes up my guts.

For the most part, I am now on the Crohn’s disease maintenance diet, eating whole foods plant based the majority of the time. I mostly eat unprocessed vegan meals that I cook at home. I have tried to limit restaurant food to once a week, as I am trying to eat a diet very low in processed oils.

If I experience Crohn’s symptoms, I return to the basic Crohn’s disease exclusion diet, and I eat the mandatory foods: 2 baked and cooled potatoes, 2 bananas, and an apple. This usually corrects the issue in a few days.

White rice is a go-to food all the time, a common restaurant food, and pairs well with basically all cuisine. I get more than enough fiber from lentils, beans, and vegetables, and haven’t needed to switch to strict whole grains.

White rice is often parboiled, which gives it a shorter cooking time than brown rice, and it’s super easy to throw a meal together in 25-30 mins by cooking a rice mix and throwing in coarsely chopped vegetables.

I would like to get my blood work done again to see how my levels are, but the Rona makes that hard. I may get those labs done the next time I get my thyroid checked.