Gut Feelings - by The Crohn's & Colitis Dietitians™

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On this episode we talk with Andy De Santis, RD MPH. Andy is a private practice dietitian and 11x published author from Toronto, Canada.  Having been a generalist early in this career, Andy has spent the last several years focusing on the fatty liver space given the broad prevalence and significant health implications of this increasingly common condition.

We discuss with Andy:

• nutrition for fatty liver disease and general liver health
• making nutrition guidance accessible for patients and how Andy likes to include lightheartedness and humor, especially on social media.
• benefits of the Mediterranean diet that can be customized for the individual
• some interesting additions to our meals, like capers, which have big benefits
• how small changes over time can have a large impact
• different herbs and spices we like that have great benefits

You can find Andy on Instagram @andytherd

Kale studies: Kale Contains Many Unique Anti-Cancer Compounds - American Institute for Cancer Research % (aicr.org)

Frontiers | Kale improves bowel movements in constipated women and affects some intestinal microbes and metabolites: a pilot study (frontiersin.org)



Want to work with The Crohn's and Colitis Dietitians but have questions?
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Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/the-lakes/bluebird
License code: FTTITUEPIFAD2VEO

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In this episode we have a very honest and straightforward discussion with Breanne Sich about the reality of life with IBD.  Breanne has Crohn's and has started the Crohns Colitis Collective Co. 

Breanne describes the collective: "It was started as a way to bring awareness to this invisible disease, and encourage people to reach out, get gutsy, and talk about sh*t. To talk about how you are feeling. To talk about what this disease really looks like. We need to collectively raise awareness so one day, we can beat this disease. To date we have been able to donate over $80,000 to help fund a cure, and there is no sign of us stopping anytime soon!"

We discuss:

• Breanne's story of getting diagnosed and how she became an advocate for IBD patients.
• the importance of creating a community that helps to educate others about the struggles of IBD patients 
• how talking about her personal struggles has helped others know they don't have to suffer alone
• the challenges of kids having IBD and the support Breanne wishes she had in middle school and high school. 
• what she would tell someone who is newly diagnosed with IBD
• how she came to accept her challenges with IBD and why it is so important to empower others 

You can find Breanne on Instagram: @bresich and her apparel is sold at crohnscollective.com.


Want to work with The Crohn's and Colitis Dietitians but have questions?
Book a call - HERE

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/the-lakes/bluebird
License code: FTTITUEPIFAD2VEO

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In this episode we talk with Neha Shah, a Registered Dietitian specializing in GI and IBD for close to 20 years. Neha runs her own IBD nutrition private practice, aiming to provide specialized care to the community and she also offers a subspecialty in South Asian GI and IBD. 

We discuss:

• Neha's background and how she got into specializing in nutrition in GI and IBD. 
• The relationship between culture and food and how to navigate that when a patient has IBD
• What food culture is and how it plays a role in our food choices
• How dietitians can show more cultural sensitivity and cultural competence
• How a patient can navigate diet around religious observances, such as fasting, and holidays within the culture, such as Diwali
• Including more cultural fibers into diet
• Weight inclusive approach 

You can find Neha on Instagram at: @nehagastrord. Her website is: nehashahnutrition.com.

Want to work with The Crohn's and Colitis Dietitians but have questions?
Book a call - HERE

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/the-lakes/bluebird
License code: FTTITUEPIFAD2VEO

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In this episode we discuss what we mean by "IBD friendly"

We start off by discussing some common misconceptions about determining what IBD friendly is.  The most common ways people determine what to eat for IBD without triggering symptoms are through dietary tracking and looking on google or forums.

We discuss how dietary tracking can lead you down the wrong path often with IBD and lead to unnecessary restrictions while not truly answering the problem.

We also discuss how conflicting the internet can be - and how it definitely isn't a great dietitian (and isn't individualized).

We discuss common misconceptions about what IBD friendly is - and how we use certain fibers to reduce symptoms in our patients.

Resources mentioned: 

• Our "How to Tolerate Fiber in IBD" e-book: HERE
• Our brand new program: 🌱Plant Magic- What to Eat & How to Reduce Symptoms in IBD using the Power of Nutrition. Check it out HERE

Want to work with us but have questions?
Book a call - HERE

Special thanks to those who help us keep this thing going....
Podcast edit by: Christopher Garza
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/the-lakes/bluebird
License code: FTTITUEPIFAD2VEO

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In this episode, The Crohn's & Colitis Dietitians - Ashley Hurst and Danielle Leffler interview an expert in the field of GI psychology, an emerging new specialization that focuses on the gut-brain connection.

This episode is jam-packed with useful resources and affirming insights on the IBD journey and how the gut-brain connection is important for us to learn more about.

We discussed:

• Dr Navidi's background and how he got started as a leader in the field of GI psychology
• The emergence of GI psychology - there are only 400 in the world
• What is GI psychology? 
• What are DGBI's - why we need to know about these with IBD
• Although Crohn's & Colitis are not considered disorders of gut-brain interaction - those of us with IBD are more prone to have them
• How medical trauma and DGBI's can impact our symptoms even when IBD is considered stable
• How we often underestimate the power of the brain & trauma in gut symptoms
• How trauma to the gut impacts our symptoms - it's not in your head - the impact is real and common
• Anxiety & Depression - is it more common in IBD?
• Introduction to clinical hypnosis for GI disorders 
• What clinical hypnosis is and what it is not
• What is trance vs. dissociation?
• Reframing Anxiety as "misguided imagination"

What we mentioned:

• Clinical hypnosis breakdown - https://www.gipsychology.com/gi-psychology-and-the-atlantic-discuss-clinical-hypnosis-for-ibs
• Research mentioned: PMID: 33721557, PMID:34684663, PMID: 33251075

Podcast edit by: Christopher Garza
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/the-lakes/bluebird
License code: FTTITUEPIFAD2VEO

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Has your doctor ever told you your labs look good but... you still have IBD symptoms?

It's actually pretty common! In this episode we talk about this in more depth.

Discussion points:

• Personal updates - Danielle shares about being snowed in, Ashley shares about the two new additions to her family (0:00 - 9:00)
• With Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis & Microscopic colitis - What is going on when our labs are fine but we are still symptomatic? Our own personal experiences, the importance of multiple providers from different specialties (9:00 - 18 minuites)
• Possible reasons for symptoms outside of IBD - malabsorption (18 - 20 minutes)
• Why we don't usually recommend low fodmap in IBD (20-23 minutes)
• Fiber and how we navigate it, how food tolerance can change over time, why getting support with nutrition can improve your quality of life with IBD, medical trauma with IBD and learning to trust your body... and more!

Our website: https://crohnsandcolitisdietitians.com/

Book a call with us HERE

Podcast editor: Christopher Garza
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)
https://uppbeat.io/t/the-lakes/bluebird
License code: FTTITUEPIFAD2VEO

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Ashley Hurst and Danielle Leffler discuss their "IBD In's & Outs" for 2024 and their personal intentions for the year.

You can join the RAINBOW™ movement by downloading our free rainbow game. You can also find our fatigue e-book on the page below:
https://crohnsandcolitisdietitians.com/resources/

Are you looking for an IBD nutritionist and licensed dietitian? Want to work with us specifically? We are now back to accepting patients again! Check out our 1:1 program by clicking the link below:
https://crohnsandcolitisdietitians.com/ibd-nutritionist-support/

In the pod we mentioned Danielle's new t-shirt from our new line. If you want to check our our new shirts and sweaters we mentioned, click the link below!
https://crohnsandcolitisdietitians.com/product-category/merch/

See you next week for our interview with Dr Navidi! You won't want to miss it.

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Welcome to season 2 of the Gut Feelings podcast!

In this episode, we talk all about:

• How fiber is often misunderstood with IBD
• A breakdown of the different types of fiber
• How food tolerances can improve over time
• Fiber's important role in our microbiome in IBD
• Navigating strictures and fiber in IBD

Check out our rainbow challenge here:
http://expert-teacher-5890.ck.page/eat_the_rainbow

Our fiber e-book:
https://crohnsandcolitisdietitians.com/resources/

Want to work with us? 
https://p.bttr.to/2VpevRX

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Ashley and Rebecca from The Crohn's & Colitis Dietitians talk about all things IBD-related. 

0-10 minutes:
We start off this episode talking about the delicious beverages we've been enjoying and some nice dairy free alternative milks and creamers. Ashley talks about her sleep struggles lately and how the summer heat is affecting her schedule. We talk about how we squeeze exercise into our busy schedules. 

10-21 minutes:
Everyone has their own journey with IBD. Ashley reflects on how much transformation has occurred since she was first diagnosed with UC about 12 years ago. We reflect on what we would tell our younger self at different stages in our life- for one, get the colonoscopy! We look back on unexpected weight loss and how it changed our perspective and made us appreciate our bodies and the healing process more. We discuss uncertainties and fears when we were first getting diagnosed.

21-29 minutes:
Rebecca talks about her first encounter with a GI doctor and how the bedside manner was terrible and discouraging to her. Sometimes that first experience can really set the tone and influence our path. Rebecca saw 3 more GI doctors while trying to figure out what was going on with her. She is grateful for the answers and clarity she has now. Ashley reflects on the fact that the difficulties she has experienced sparked motivation to help others experiencing the same type of challenges. She is grateful that she was able to transform that pain into motivation and that she now has an understanding of others experiencing the many depths of hardship with IBD and chronic illness. We now feel reassured knowing there are others to help with the IBD journey and find the next step, instead of being dismissed. We wish that this support was available when we were first diagnosed but we are proud of the guidance we can give to others. It is truly an honor and pleasure to work with our IBD clients! 

29-40 minutes:
Ashley and Rebecca talk about how they are proud to do the work they do and are grateful that they were able to merge their purpose and passion into a career. We recognize that some people can have a deep calling that is separate from their job and they don't necessarily have to be same thing.  Rebecca talks about how she is passionate about researching IBD and she will always be interested in learning more since she has the personal connection to it. We admit that having a career that is your calling may not always be glamorous and there are sometimes hard days but we always come back to it because it is so meaningful. Ashley talks about the decisions she isn't sure about, like maybe being a parent in the future. We talk about some comments or assumptions people make and how we hope there is more education around IBD in the future. 

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Ashley and Rebecca from The Crohn's & Colitis Dietitians talk about all things IBD-related. In this episode, we talk about how small things make a difference and how being in tune with your body can build trust with yourself.

0-6 minutes
Ashley talks about the ingredients she used in a gluten free and dairy free pizza she recently made. She mentions some gluten free and dairy free brands that don't taste terrible!  We talk about how carbohydrates are essential and not to be avoided.

6-13 minutes
Ashley discusses a client she recently worked with who was gaining weight but couldn't figure out why and thought maybe she needed to see a specialist. She was not eating much in the morning or for lunch, was working out and then crashing in the afternoon.  Ashley helped her to realize that she wasn't getting enough fuel and her body was in starvation mode. We talk about how sometimes we think we need complex solutions, but often simple things can help. We talk about how a perfectionist mindset around food is unattainable and we should give ourselves grace.

13-19 minutes
Rebecca brings up how trust with health professionals is key. It is natural to feel vulnerable or worry about judgment but it can help immensely to be open with those we trust. With IBD or other diseases it is normal to question things and try to figure out the causes of our diagnoses and sometimes there aren't clear cut answers. 
IBD is so unpredictable and complex. There can be grief when diagnosed or even years into the process when treatment or symptoms change. 

19-23 minutes
We briefly look at the role of IBD with pregnancy and discuss having kids when the parent has IBD. Keeping in mind that you have a plan in place and a supportive healthcare team can drastically improve our quality of life. We try to remember to not let IBD get in the way of living life!

23-33 minutes
IBD affects joints, skin, and mental health too; we talk about how it's all connected. 
We have fun with some mindfulness dice and cards. We talk about breathwork and  we practice ujjayi breath which can be helpful to induce relaxation. 

Ashley talks about some advice she received when making decisions based on how your body feels with each scenario. Does the choice make you feel restricted or expansive? We acknowledge that sometimes growth can feel scary, and in that situation is a good thing. The body is a great guide. With IBD we can sometimes disconnect from pain and uncomfortable feelings or symptoms but it is good to check in with yourself. We can start small to build trust with ourself and body.