[Goldfinger]

Last week, my OH was admitted to hospital due to her Crohns disease flaring up, not bad - the last time was 14 years ago.

She was kept in for a week, and after some test, she came out on Saturday, and so they have advised her to go onto a 'Low Fibre Diet'.

My question is, what fruit and veg would come under 'Low Fibre'?

She can only have small amounts of stuff like brassica and potato (has to remove the skin), so I'm just thinking ahead for next season that's all, and getting stuck... 

What could I do with this years veg though?

After growing loads of brassica' successfully, I feel most will go to waste, even after I freeze and store what I and the kids will eat until next year.

[compostqueen]

I thought the restricted diet was only after a flare-up. I would visit the Crohns website and see what they have to say on the subjct as they list the do's and don'ts.  I think potato skins and brassica stalks might be a no-no but as for the rest of the vegetable it's probably to early to be righting them off and composting them 

[snowdrops]

Do they also recommend dairy free? Mr S has ulcerative colitis-in the same  family/region as Crohns. He is dairy free & has recently found coffee to be a trigger & beer. Might be worth further research /trial. has she been referred to a dietician?

[Springlands]

Peeled carrots and parsnips should be okay as should a little turnip. When my mum had Crohns she was given a diet sheet by her doctors. She also joined the Crohns support group which was a great help. 

[Beetroot queen]

I would ask for a dieticians review. Florence's two have been amazing with some good suggestions along the way, they can print off thousands of sheets and helpful websites too. The third dietician who is at our local hospital is pants  but we tend to ignore what she says.

I would have thought top quality good veg even limited is better than shop brought so still worth growing.
Good luck with it all.

[RJR_38]

Hmm... This is interesting. My sister was diagnosed with Chrohn's about 3-4 months ago. She was given a website to look at, lots of huge pills to take (6 a day) and told she may or may not have flare ups. She was also told she could end up needing surgery in the future if she couldn't keep it under control. She was told some people like to go gluten free but that was about it. The medication seems to be generally working and she has only had one small flare up of a few days since she has started the medication. She doesn't want to look on all the forums etc as is often 'worst case' people who post on there and she doesn't want to get sucked into it all which I can kind of understand as she is only 23 and is going to have this for life - no point looking at what could happen until it is a likely possibility.

I didn't know that diet could make such a huge difference - can she request a dietician's appointment and do you think it would actually be of some use to her?

[carlotta]

I have IBS and flare ups of diverticular disease. During these times I have no raw veg/salad. But I  can have butternut squash instead of potato and find that courgette, marrowand pattypan are very easy to digest and low in fibre.

I think there is an element of trial and error as everyone is different. 

[snowdrops]

Yes most definitely request a dietician's appointment & should the need arise keep on until she gets one.

[RJR_38]

Ok, I will pass it on go her. I know she isn't keen on the idea of having to take so much medication for the rest of her life so if she can control it by diet a bit more then that can only be a good thing

[Goldfinger]

It was more a 'blockage' and flare up what she had, from what the doctors said last week. It happened at the point where she had surgery 14 years ago, to remove about 6ft of knackered bowel.

She's on steroids and a load of other tablets at the moment to calm down the inflammation at the 'join' for now.

She's found a couple of web sites so far that list what low fibre foods to have, and high fibre foods to avoid or have in moderation.

She's done the dietician thing in the past, and she too has found them to be pants - they were pushing her to have HIGH fibre stuff!          

[grinling]

could try selling some at the gate or if there is a homeless shelter they would use the excess.