Wake-Nutrition

Link in bio to schedule and appt. 15 min discovery call is free to see if the RD is a good fit for your situation.

Accepting BCBS horizon. More insurance plans to come. Also out of pocket payments are accepted.

I can’t even explain how much back and forth has gone into this. My injection is due in a week and I still don’t have prior authorization.
I initiated this process January 17th. Which first question, why wasn’t it initiated on its own.
Actually go back. I had my infusion December 22. Insurance set to end December 31 so I immediately called my GI on December 23 and said start the order process so I can schedule deliver before December 31.
I didn’t hear anything. So I decided I would wait until I get my new insurance mid-January. Immediately called the office the 17th. Told them I had an insurance change. They said they’d order it and take care of it. Got a call from CVS that the prescription was placed and they’d call me once it was ready to order.
Feb 2 I called them. They said they had no prescription order for me. Called the doctors office. They ordered it. But then called me back and asked if I had an insurance change. I had to call them back and re-inform them of the insurance change I had already told them about January 17th. Replaced the order. On Feb 6 I’m told by doctors office prior authorization has been approved. CVS has the order and I got on a three way call with CVS and my doctors office. Everyone said all was good and in a half hour I could call and schedule delivery.
Feb 7 I call to schedule delivery and am told there’s no prior authorization yet.
Feb 8 I call and still no prior authorization. Just got off the phone with GI office said they’ll call CVS and fax prior auth.
Here I sit waiting for more info.
Frustrating as all hell. It’s bad enough that my symptoms are starting to come back because I’m due for the damn thing and will have to get the injection moved up to every 6 weeks when I talk with my GI on the 22nd. I shouldn’t have to be my own medication manager!!

I stayed up until midnight last night to watch a football game. Normally I’d be wiped out and ready for bed by 830pm.

This morning I realized just how strong will is. I wanted to watch that football game and had energy at a time I normally wouldn’t.

What if I wanted to eat better and take care of my body. What if I believed it could really help me feel better?

What if I chose to let go of my old lifestyle and habits and move on with acceptance that Crohn’s is a part of my life now?

How powerful can I be?

Can I reach remission?

I believe I can. I will have faith that my actions will work.

This research highlights how important it is for patients with IBD to have support when it comes to “what to eat.”

I want to specify - therapeutic diets are not the only diet adjustments patients can make.

Simply adjusting texture and making changes such as eating small portions and lower fat foods can make tremendous improvements in symptoms.

I wish someone had told me this when I was diagnosed. My GI “🤷‍♀️” when I asked her what I can eat without pain.

It took me YEARS to figure this out on my own.

Nutritional Therapy for IBD is working hard to not only bring evidenced-based nutrition approaches to patients but also to make clinicians aware that patients need this support.

Also NTforIBD is committed to increasing the amount of dietitians knowledgeable in IBD so you don’t have to go to a general dietitian who will tell you to eat a balanced meal 🤦‍♀️.

Diet changes for IBD is not all about restriction. It’s about helping you love food again, not fear it.

Who’s with me?

IBD Friendly ways to incorporate polyphenols:

Black Olives
Berry & Grape juices with no additives
Coffee or Tea (decaf if you’re having diarrhea)
Add herbs and spices while cooking (esp oregano, turmeric, ginger, garlic)
Use Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Add unsweetened cocoa powder to smoothies

Polyphenols not only reduce inflammatory cytokines (ie the target of your biologic medication) but they also improve your microbiome.

Food sources listed above are better than supplements. For example curcumin supplements are often taken, however, there are more compounds in tumeric than curcumin that also help to reduce inflammation.

And many more things too like learning to listen to my body.

It’s also opened up new doors in my life as well. Such as having something larger than myself to fight for.

I’m getting my PhD to help in the battle against this disease.

I want everyone who gets diagnosed to have an easier path and reach remission quicker.

I believe whole heartedly in the power of nutrition in this disease and I will make it easier for others to have access to this knowledge.

This is the fight of my life, for my life, and for your life.

Happy

We have everything to fight for and to live for. Stay strong.

Many Crohn’s symptoms may be the result of nutrient deficiencies

These are common nutrients that are deficient in Crohn’s both due to reduced oral intake and reduced absorption

Vitamin supplements have not been shown effective in certain nutrients and so we must obtain these nutrients through diet

A nutritional supplement such as ensure, boost, kate farms, or orgain can be taken to help you meet your micronutrient needs, especially if you do not tolerate many fruits or vegetables

Sources of zinc include whole grains, yogurt, beef, fortified breakfast cereals, & chicken

Sources of iron include beef, chicken, fortified cereals, spinach, tofu, & tuna

Sources of B12 include beef, chicken, fortified cereals, eggs, & dairy

Sources of Folate include dark leafy greens, peanuts, eggs, fresh fruit, whole grains, eggs

Sources of Vitamin D include sunlight, fatty fish, tuna, fortified dairy/non-dairy milks, yogurt, eggs

People with strictures don’t tolerate many fruits and vegetables so it’s important to find other ways to feed the good bacteria

Good gut bacteria help reduce the overactive immune response and promote healing of the intestinal barrier

Resistant starch is just as important as fiber in this process

Other sources of resistant starch are potatoes and bananas

Cooking and cooling the rice increases the resistant starch so be sure to save some for leftovers

Have you worked with a dietitian but didn’t have a great experience?

Dietitians are taught everything related to nutrition, but are often not taught specialties

They learn through experience and continuing education which they pick and choose what to focus on

Some dietitians are great with diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and weight loss

Honestly, there is no certification for IBD for dietitians…yet

And many general hospital dietitians are not trained in IBD

There are so many diet differences that are specific to Crohn’s or UC, and even between the two conditions

Make sure that any dietitian you work with has experience in IBD - working with other patients and possibly even has IBD themselves

They should be very familiar with the therapeutic diets - SCD, CDED, IBD-AID and understand why they work and the science behind them

They also should be able to help you follow the diet and make modifications to the diet to liberalize it as much as possible for you

Also, there are certain diet changes that will help with remission and certain ones that are for symptoms only, and you’re dietitian should know the difference. And “gut health” is not the same as IBD nutrition

If you are interested in working with an IBD specialist dietitian such as myself to resolve symptoms and get into remission drop a ‘😃’ emoji below

Unpopular Myths *alert*

I know there will be a number of people that are upset and bothered by this post

Everything I share is backed by science in one way or another

Science is the gold standard on information, however it does have its flaws

And don’t forget bioindividuality - everyone is different - different needs, tolerances, and different lifestyles

For me, hearing the words “100% adherence necessary” makes it impossible for me to follow

And I know some that hear that they have to change their diet forever and drastically will ultimately decide to make no changes

Here’s the thing, not changing your diet at all is waaaay worse than only changing it a little

There are a few *key* important things you need to change

Follow a low fat diet
Limit processed foods to once a week
Add in fiber containing foods daily
Get enough protein and micronutrients

That’s it, and yes it really is that simple

Studies have show that making diet changes with medication significantly increases remission rates

It is the daily consumption of harmful foods that is making things worse - once in a while doesn’t appear to be harmful

There are Crohn’s diets with 80% remission rates that allow gluten and sugar - yes regular sugar

If you want to learn more about how you can change your diet and reach remission sign up for my email list - exclusive content just for you ⭐️

Link in Bio

I have not had mouth sores since I was first diagnosed because of these very tips

I make sure to either take a multivitamin or optimize my diet to include these key nutrients

I also teach these and many other diet techniques in my Crohn’s Nutrition & Lifestyle Management Program to help my clients be rid of these kinds of painful symptoms

Optimizing your nutrition for mouth sores and other skin conditions (such as psoriasis) also helps heal your intestinal lining and get you another step closer to remission

Signs such as skin issues and hair loss are strong indicators that your nutrition is not on point

Don’t neglect these signs and symptoms and don’t expect your doctor to pick up on this

If you want to learn more about how to optimize your nutrition and get in remission comment or DM me “Optimize”

Yes, in the middle of the day

Yes, in the middle of that project

Yes, when you are working

Yes, when you are taking care of your kids

Yes, when your house is a mess

It’s not only okay, but also necessary

You must take care of you, because if you don’t, who’s going to take care of them when you can’t anymore

In a recent study, stress is tied to Crohn’s flares even more so than trigger foods

So take that break and breathe. Or find a video or joke to laugh at

Shake out the stress hormones, realize that it doesn’t all have to be done today

Let it go. The stress, the worry, the fears of not being good enough

Be in the present with a hot cup of coffee or tea, a cozy sweatshirt or bubble bath, a wonderful scented candle

Just take a time out, set a timer if needed to help release guilt. Just ten minutes at a time can be enough

What’s your favorite way to take a time out? Comment 👇

If you’re experiencing joint pain, eye inflammation, headaches & migraines.

A couple tablespoons of ground flaxseeds daily can improve inflammation

Ground flaxseeds provide lignans, omega 3s, and soluble fiber - all key for a healthy microbiome

Inflammatory oils, processed foods, meat, and inflammation itself produces “oxylipids”

Ground flaxseeds help to counteract oxylipids to reduce inflammation

Add ground flaxseeds to yogurt, smoothies, rice flour pancakes, muffins, soups, and other baked goods

Worrying about the future and grieving the past is often the new norm for those diagnosed with chronic illnesses

Unfortunately this kind of living leads to
💜stress
💜worry
💜anxiety
💜harmful coping mechanisms
💜depression
💜fear
💜less socialization

So what can you do about it?

⭐️Daily meditation - teaches you to acknowledge thoughts and emotions, w**d through the helpful and unhelpful ones, and most importantly to let go

⭐️Journaling - identify what’s truly bothering you and come up with an action to fix it

Feeling a loss of control is common

There are steps you can take

Eat a bit healthier (different for each disease and different for each person)

Move your body daily

Laugh as much as possible

And of course let go of what does not serve you

I teach all of this in my Crohn’s Program. DM me if you are interested in learning more.

This story amazes me. A stricture significantly reduced on this diet!!

Yes the Humira and aza likely helped with healing and that’s ok!

I was started on Humira also, but I didn’t change my diet and ended up with a stricture. Research shows anti-tnf medications can actually cause strictures due to rapid healing.

Diet in conjunction with medications is critical to success with Crohn’s. Biologics on their own show a 16-40% success rate. The CDED has a 42-80% success rate. Combined you could reach remission!

Diet is not only for kids with Crohn’s and unfortunately most GI’s do not treat adults with diet because there is limited data to support it.

Advocate for yourself, find a dietitian that specializes in IBD, and increase your chances of remission. The earlier diet is introduced the better, but it’s never to late.

DM me the word “remission” to learn about my Crohn’s Nutrition Program.

Crohn’s disease is anything except predictable

A lesson I’m learning the hard way

A part of me thought if I just got it under control and kept it there I could go on living as if I don’t have it

But I do have this disease and it changes constantly no matter what you do

The important thing is to change with it, listen to your body, and support it with all the tools available to you

Some days that is going to be eating chicken and rice. Other days that might look like rest, broth, and protein shakes.

Some days you’ll be able to lift weights or run, other days yoga and meditation are the answer.

The important thing is being tuned in and adjusting. Go with the flow of your body.

Where are you now? Rest and recovery or living life to the fullest?

The gut is considered the “second brain”

The brain and gut literally communicate with one another

Usually people experience this with anxiety over a presentation or interview and can feel nausea or the need to have a 💩

Research shows that psychological stress can negatively alter the microbiome and increase intestinal permeability, inflammation, and inflammatory cytokines (ie the perfect storm for IBD)

It’s imperative to manage your stress while working to heal your gut

Here are a few tips

⭐️ Take care of problems as they arise rather than avoiding them
⭐️ Talk about what’s bothering you rather than bottling it up
⭐️ Ask for help at home and at work
⭐️ Move un-essential tasks for a later date
⭐️ Take a break
⭐️ Learn to say no
⭐️ Laugh daily

What’s your favorite stress relieving activity??

Crohn’s diets can do amazing things…only if you’re ready for it

If you have any emotional ties to foods you have to work on that first. Food should be taken off any pedestal it’s on.

If you’re using food for emotional management you’re gonna have to build a new habit to handle your emotions first

It takes a lot of planning. And not just meal planning. You’re gonna need to plan for those moments when you want something crunchy and something sweet. What will you eat that’s safe?

If there’s one food or drink you can’t live without and it will significantly impact your life if you try to cut it out - it’s likely this can be incorporated in your new diet too - regardless of what the diets “rules” are. There’s always room for flexibility.

I guide my clients through this process in my Crohn’s Nutrition Program.

What’s a food habit you wish you could break?

An altered microbiome is at the root of IBD and diet can fix this

Apples contain a fiber called pectin (yes it is also in applesauce)

This can increase a particular beneficial bacteria linked to reduced flares and more remission if it is prevalent in your gut

Consume an apple (or applesauce) daily for the best effects

Comment 👇 if you plan to add apples to your diet

Your diet doesn’t have to be super strict to feel better and regain control of your health

You do not have to cut out all carbs

Follow the SCD diet and relearn everything you thought you knew

You do not have to drink only liquids for weeks at a time

You can still enjoy food and life and at the same time drop all the worry and fear

I know because I’ve been there

If you need help on where to start DM me the word “diet” and I will discuss with you what are the best first steps for you and your disease so that you can regain that control over your health and feel better

I have lost freedom to eat whatever I want and lost freedom financial due to medical bills.
My Crohn’s has given me a stricture and a fistula. I have failed three biologics in just over a year and a half of being diagnosed.

Currently I am treating myself with diet, and still trying to figure out what will be most effective.

With Crohn’s your body’s immune cells are attacking your gut microbes due to genetics.

Some people do not tolerate or like the mandatory foods

The foods are listed as mandatory because they provide key nutrients to help your gut heal and stay healthy by altering the microbiome or repairing the gut barrier

Apples in particular provide pectin. However, other foods listed on the second picture also provide pectin and can be subbed for apples

This can add diversity to the diet as well, even if you do eat apples

If you’re unsure of tolerance start small, and purée or cook the food

Tomato sauce, homemade tomato soup with roasted garlic (yum), carrot soup or purée carrot added to tomato soup are some good beginning ideas

The diet can be seen as highly strict but it is meant to have flexibility and allow for everyone’s individual needs

I have a terrible relationship with food

It’s abusive and controlling, in both directions.

I’ve hated my body forever (way before I had crohns)

And now I feel betrayed by it, because I have

But instead of fighting it. I have to support it. I need to not see food as the enemy (in every way) and learn to eat for nourishment.

This is not a simple path. It’s not easy and I’m going to fall back into all the bad thoughts and feelings at times.

But it’s necessary.

Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet compliant banana pancakes (Phase 1).

No they’re not the pancakes I’m used to, but they’re pretty good.

12 weeks of this exclusion diet should bring me healing that biologics could not.

No it’s not easy, but nothing is permanent, including this diet. Phase 3 is much more liberal and once again I will be able to eat my favorite pancakes at times.

Shirt by
(PS the shirts amazing!)

It’s easy to get confused as to what diet to follow

The most important factor is adding in fruits and vegetables and getting that fiber. (Don’t do this if you have a structure). Fiber is important to support a beneficial microbiome and give your body the essential short chain fatty acid Butyrate.

Additionally they remove processed foods, refined sugar, and most dairy

Could it be that simple?? (Although not easy)

Share your diet experiences!

I always blame the food I ate

But bloating is way more than what you eat. It’s also how you want and lifestyle.

Chew your food
Don’t drink through straws
Avoid carbonated beverages
Calm stress & anxiety
Move more throughout the day
Eat multiple small meals to avoid getting over hungry

A lesson that is learned in small actions every day

When you have a chronic illness, it speeds up your necessity to learn this value. You have the power to heal and maintain remission with the right steps every day. Consistency and routine are the most important.

So what does respecting your body look like?

Saying positive things to your body

Stretching and moving your body

Meditating and finding mindfulness and calm in the current

Nourishing your body with healing foods

Most importantly, letting go.

This is a lesson I’m still learning. But I get better at it as the months go on. I was angry I had a chronic illness. Angry I couldn’t live life like I used to.

But it’s important to build a new track for yourself with your life the way it is now. Everyone is kind of going through this at the moment with the pandemic.

Don’t assume life will go back to normal because that leaves you with ambiguity and helps you accept unhealthy behaviors in the short term.

Create a new life, one you didn’t imagine, and if you put the right energy in it will be even better than your life before.

Zinc may be the most important nutrient in IBD

Healing and improving Crohn’s symptoms are less likely if you do not have optimal zinc levels

Zinc helps regulate the immune system, meaning it can calm your overactive immune response, and reduce inflammatory immune cells

Zinc also helps promote healing of your gut

Be sure to ask your doc for a zinc blood test