Dining Out with Inflammatory ... Video Transcript

Participants

, Leslie J. Bonci M.P.H., R., Adam Carron , Laurie Carron , Bettina Gregory , Richard Hays , Arthur Heller MD

Summary

Meals can pose big challenges to people living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. They can be challenging enough at home. But what about when eating out? For real-world tips on controlling diet when eating at restaurants and in other people's homes, watch this webcast sponsored exclusively by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

Webcast Transcript

BETTINA GREGORY, Psy.D.: Hello, I'm Bettina Gregory. Welcome to our webcast on nutrition and inflammatory bowel disease. This is part three of our three-part series, which is sponsored by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

Joining us to discuss how to keep control of your diet when eating out is Dr. Arthur Heller, a gastroenterologist from Weill-Cornell Medical College. Also joining us is Leslie Bonci, a nutritionist from the University of Pittsburgh. Richard Hays is executive director for the Maryland and southern Delaware chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, and he is a person who is living with Crohn's disease. Adam Carron, an active high school student from Long Island, New York, who is living with ulcerative colitis. Laurie Carron, Adam's mom, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis as an adult. And some of you will be part of our program, too; we'll be answering your questions sent to us by e-mail. Well, let's start with Leslie. Leslie, avoiding foods that may aggravate IBD is certainly a challenge when you're eating out or eating at a restaurant.

LESLIE J. BONCI, M.P.H.: Well, the fact of the matter is that people eat out all the time and the goal is not to have people feel like they need to be at home. But there are a couple of things that people can do. And first and foremost, especially in the early stages of diagnosis, is to think about eating before you go out, so at least you've eaten things that you feel comfortable with.

BETTINA GREGORY, Psy.D.: And you're not too hungry and for -

LESLIE J. BONCI, M.P.H.: Not overly hungry, you're not overly tempted and you're not overly likely to overindulge when you're out.

BETTINA GREGORY, Psy.D.: Okay, Laurie, let me ask you. Do you ever do that?

LAURIE CARRON: I don't think I've ever eaten before I've gone out, but I've never turned a meal down.

BETTINA GREGORY, Psy.D.: Even with ulcerative colitis.

LAURIE CARRON: I have to listen to my body for it to tell me I'm okay, or I'm not okay. There are certain foods that I know are triggers and if I'm not feeling that great, I won't choose those. If I'm feeling fine, I don't watch my diet at all.

BETTINA GREGORY, Psy.D.: Adam, let's get the teenage point of view. Is this a problem for you?

ADAM CARRON: I don't think it's such a big deal that I eat, like, before I go out. I find it more easy for me if I eat while I'm with other people. I mean, it gives me a sense that I'm one of them. People are always accommodating if I don't want to eat a certain thing just because it may conflict with my diet. But in general, I find it's pretty easy just to eat while I'm there.

BETTINA GREGORY, Psy.D.: Okay, Richard?

RICHARD HAYS: I have to agree with Laurie. I certainly don't turn down a meal. And never in my past with Crohn's disease did I ever, say, eat before going out. Certainly very cautiously have eaten, went out, looking at things that I know, over a period of time and understanding my body, what works and doesn't work. And knowing what I should eat and what I absolutely need to avoid.

BETTINA GREGORY, Psy.D.: Well, Leslie, in terms of giving tips, what might people do if they go to someone's house for dinner or to a family gathering where perhaps not a sensitivity to IBD?

LESLIE J. BONCI, M.P.H.: If somebody's going to somebody else's home, there are a couple of things you can do. First of all, if you want to, you could offer to bring a dish along. Of course, enough for everybody to share, otherwise it's very rude. The second thing is you might offer to pass on a recipe.