Surviving the Holidays with Crohn's or Colitis

The holiday season is upon us, and regardless of the holidays you and your family celebrate one thing is for sure – there will be a lot of food, quite a bit of alcohol, and maybe some uncomfortable conversations.

But, have no fear because I have been there! I vividly remember my first Thanksgiving living with Crohn's and the first one that I spent being gluten-free. I am all too familiar with attending holiday parties to find out that I cannot eat a thing on the menu, and I have spent Christmas morning in the fetal position due to extreme stomach pain.

Here are a few tips to survive the holidays with Crohn's or colitis:

Prioritize your health

First and foremost, prioritize your health. The holiday season can be terribly stressful, and stress only exasperates IBD symptoms. Make sure you are taking time to self-care and taking it easy, making sure not to spread yourself too thin between mailing holiday cards, shopping for gifts, and baking enough cookies to feed your entire kid's second-grade class.

Just slow down. Take a few deep breaths and know when you have reached your limits, and take care of yourself so that you can enjoy these events with your loved ones.

Offer to bring a dish to the party

If you have dietary restrictions or know you are going to a party where there will be absolutely nothing you can eat, be a kind guest and offer to bring a dish. Therefore, you look like a rockstar to the host and you know there will be at least one thing at the party that you can safely eat.

Otherwise, you may end up eating something you shouldn't or forgoing food altogether and just drinking alcohol which never ends well for anyone.

Play it safe with food choices

This time of year is not the time to start experimenting with which foods you can possibly tolerate or trying a dish that someone made just "to be kind." Play. It. Safe. 

Eat foods you know will treat your belly well, stick to your usual schedule, and avoid anything that may upset your stomach.

Wear loose-fitting clothes

This is a useful tip I discovered a few years later than I should have. I know that holiday flare is all the rage, but elastic waistbands and flowing dresses go a long way.

I remember the first Thanksgiving that I was living with Crohn's and I had a bit too much to eat and filled up on foods that did not agree with my body "because it was a holiday." 

I had a nice dress on with tights which left very little breathing room or room for expansion, so as soon as I finished my dinner I went upstairs (fortunately my parents host Thanksgiving!) and put on sweats to finish the dinner. I was IN PAIN.

The sad thing is, I didn't learn my lesson that first year and would continue changing my clothes for the dessert course of Thanksgiving dinner for the next 3 years. Finally, I realized that comfort was much more important than fashion, and have been wearing stretchy pants with a long sweater every year ever since.

Cancel plans if you must

When all else fails – cancel. Learn how to say "no" and set boundaries. If you are not feeling well and know that you will only feel worse while socializing, just cancel. 

Your loved ones will understand and your body will appreciate the rest.

Be honest with yourself and others during the holidays

Another important point to note is that regardless of whether this is your first holiday season since being diagnosed or your 30th, please just be honest with yourself and others about how you are feeling and what you are able to eat. You're not being rude for refusing your grandmother's apple pie or skipping out on your cousin's creamy mashed potatoes.

Anyone who loves and cares about you only wants you to feel your best, so avoid feeling the pressure of wanting to please everyone by just focusing on yourself.