Crohn's Nutritionist

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Crohn's Nutritionist

Registered UK Nutritionist for Crohn’s Warriors 🛡️ | Gut health ✨ |
💩 Crohn's disease 2015, resection 2021
🙏 Medication free (Crohn's inactive)

25/02/2026

We talk a LOT about what not to eat during a Crohn’s flare. But we rarely talk about what to eat when things are going well.

Not being in a flare is an opportunity to:

Rebuild nutrient stores
Strengthen your gut
Expand food variety
Support long-term healing

So I recommend you look at:

o Eating a balanced diet, varied (30-40 different plant sources)
o Include fibre
o Eat prebiotic foods
o Use vitamin D supplements
o No processed foods
o No artificial sweeteners
o No trans-fats

Why not talk to me now. Head over to my website for more info.

26/10/2025

I was a constipation rather than diarrhoea person. I'm guessing that it isn't that common. I had all the other symptoms when I was in a flare.

I'm symptom free now.

What were/are your symptoms and are you symptom free now?

15/10/2025

Did you know your gut and brain are in a 24/7 conversation?
This powerful connection which is called the gut–brain axis, links your digestive system and nervous system through the vagus nerve, hormones, and gut microbes.

When your gut is inflamed, stressed, or out of balance, your brain feels it too, like when you get anxiety, brain fog, or low mood. And when your mind is under stress, your gut can react with flares, bloating, or discomfort like with nervous tummy.

I've been reading this for years, but really noticed it for myself after having my SIBO treated. My mood has definitely improved.

Here’s how to support your gut:
🥦 Nourish your gut with fibre-rich foods, (I just wrote a post about kiwifruit today)
🧘‍♀️ Practice stress management (breathwork, gentle movement, rest)
😴 Prioritize sleep so your gut microbes love a good night’s rest
🧠 Work on mindset as calm gut = calm mind

Your gut health is never just physical, it’s emotional, mental, and deeply connected to your overall well-being.

03/10/2025

I've got another case of SIBO and I'm back on antibiotics for 2 weeks. Got me thinking about how long I have until the next time.

🌱 Why does SIBO keep coming back?

If you’ve treated SIBO before, only to have symptoms return, you’re not alone — recurrence rates can be as high as 45% within 9 months.

Here are a few reasons why SIBO might reoccur:
✨ Underlying root cause (motility issues, IBD, adhesions, etc.) not addressed
✨ Weakened migrating motor complex (MMC) → slows the gut’s natural cleansing wave
✨ Medications that alter motility or gut flora (e.g. PPIs, opioids)
✨ Diet alone can’t always correct bacterial imbalance
✨ Gut lining & immune health not supported

💡 The goal isn’t just clearing overgrowth — it’s creating an environment where healthy gut function can be maintained. That means:
✔️ Supporting motility (meal spacing, lifestyle tools)
✔️ Healing the gut barrier
✔️ Addressing root causes

SIBO recurrence isn’t your fault.

04/09/2025

🧀 Crohn’s Disease & Dairy Intolerance: What You Need to Know

Many people with Crohn’s notice that dairy worsens their symptoms — but is it the dairy itself, or something else? 🤔

💡 Here’s the breakdown:

🚫 Lactose intolerance is common in Crohn’s, especially if the small intestine is inflamed (where lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose, is made).

🥛 Symptoms can include bloating, gas, diarrhoea, and cramping — which can overlap with Crohn’s flares.

✅ Some people tolerate low-lactose options (like hard cheeses, lactose-free milk, or yogurt with live cultures).

🧩 Others may be sensitive to casein or whey proteins instead, meaning all dairy could be a trigger.

👉 If you suspect dairy is an issue:

Try a 2–3 week elimination of dairy to see if symptoms improve.

Reintroduce slowly and monitor your response.

Work with a nutritionist to keep your diet nutritionally balanced (calcium & vitamin D matter!).

✨ Remember: every gut is unique — what bothers one person with Crohn’s may not affect another.

💬 Have you noticed dairy makes your symptoms worse, or are you able to enjoy some forms? I can't tolerate dairy at all.

29/07/2025

What is BAM?
When bile acids (which help digest fat) aren’t reabsorbed properly in the small intestine, they spill into the colon—causing Diarrhoea, bloating, and urgency.

Common in people with:
- Crohn’s disease (especially after ileal resection) I've got this myself.
- IBS-D
- Gallbladder removal
- Longstanding IBD remission but ongoing gut symptoms

Symptoms often mistaken for IBS:
- Bloating
- Frequent, loose stools
- Urgency (even at night!)
- Gas or pain after fatty meals

Good news: BAM is manageable!

Ask the IBD clinic about:
- SeHCAT scan (this is how I was diagnosed
- Bile acid binders (I have this every morning)
- Nutrition tweaks to support fat digestion

Still having symptoms despite IBD remission? Let’s dig deeper, contact me for an appointment.

23/06/2025

🦠 BLOATING THAT WON’T BUDGE? IT COULD BE SIBO.

If you have Crohn’s or IBD and you're constantly feeling bloated, gassy, or full after just a few bite, it might not just be “IBD flaring.”

👉 It could be SIBO – Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth – a condition where bacteria overgrow in the small intestine, fermenting your food too early and causing:
✔️ Bloating
✔️ Cramping
✔️ Diarrhoea or constipation
✔️ Nutrient deficiencies
✔️ Brain fog and fatigue

💡 SIBO is common in people with IBD, especially if you've had surgeries, strictures, or slow motility.

💬 If this sounds familiar, SIBO testing and targeted nutrition support can make a huge difference.

👇 Drop a 💨 in the comments if you’ve ever felt “6 months pregnant” after eating, and let’s talk about solutions.

I had SIBO after my operation. For me, it was easy to test for, and easy to get rid of.

18/06/2025

📦💩 Why Do Doctors Look for Calprotectin in Your Stool?

If you’ve been diagnosed with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, chances are your GI doc has asked for a calprotectin stool test. But why?

👉 Calprotectin is a protein released by white blood cells when there’s inflammation in your gut.

🔍 That makes it a super helpful tool to:
✅ Spot inflammation early — without needing a scope
✅ Tell the difference between IBD vs IBS
✅ Track how well your meds or diet are working
✅ Predict possible flare-ups before symptoms hit

🎯 It’s non-invasive, reliable, and helps guide smarter treatment decisions.

Next time your doc orders this test, know it’s not random — it’s a powerful window into your gut health!

🔬 Have you had your calprotectin levels checked recently?

17/06/2025

🧠💚 GUT-BRAIN CONNECTION & IBD 💚🧠
⁠
Did you know your gut and brain are in constant conversation? This is called the gut-brain axis, and it plays a powerful role in how you feel—physically and emotionally.⁠
⁠

For those living with IBD, this connection matters more than ever.

➡️ Stress, anxiety, and depression can worsen inflammation
➡️ Gut dysbiosis can impact mood and cognition
➡️ Chronic symptoms can take a mental health toll
⁠
💡 Here's the GOOD news:
Supporting your gut with the right nutrition, lifestyle, and mental health tools can help calm the chaos—inside and out.⁠
⁠
📝 A holistic Crohn’s plan isn’t just about what you eat. It’s about how you feel, how you cope, and how you heal—body & mind.
⁠
📩 Want a plan that works with your gut AND your head? Send me a DM or tap the link in bio 💬
⁠

14/06/2025

🌶️ Foods to Avoid with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) ⁣
Living with IBD means being extra mindful of what you eat. While everyone's triggers are different, here are my culprits that I avoid:⁣
⁣
🚫 Fried & Fatty Foods⁣ (because I have bile acid malabsorption because of my surgery)
🚫 Dairy (always had trouble with dairy and the IBD clinic said 'just give it up' so I did)⁣
🚫 Pop-corn (because I'm still scared of obstructions, this is just paranoia though)
🚫 Sugar (this really plays havoc on my system)⁣
🚫 Fast food (it's so hard to find fast food without dairy so I just avoid all chains)
🚫 Carbonated Drinks⁣ (always get acid reflux with this)
⁣
💬 What foods do YOU avoid with IBD? Share your experience below.⁣
⁣

11/06/2025

📊 UK STAT SPOTLIGHT ON IBD 🔍

🇬🇧 Did you know?
Over 500,000 people in the UK are living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) — including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. That’s about 1 in every 133 people.

➡️ And the numbers are rising, especially in young adults and teens.

👩‍⚕️ As a specialist in Crohn’s nutrition, I work with clients to manage:
✅ Flare-ups
✅ Nutrient deficiencies
✅ Gut healing strategies
✅ Sustainable, personalised diets

🥦 Because IBD isn't just a gut issue — it’s a whole-body condition that needs tailored support.

💬 Curious about how nutrition plays a role in IBD management? Drop your questions below or DM me.

09/06/2025

🔥 Struggling with Acid Reflux? Let’s Talk Gut-Friendly Solutions 🔥
If you're constantly feeling the burn (literally), you're not alone — acid reflux is common, especially in those of us managing IBD.

💡 Here’s what can help:
✅ Smaller, more frequent meals
✅ Avoiding trigger foods (think spicy, fatty, or acidic or in my case sugar!)
✅ Not lying down right after eating
✅ Mindful eating & managing stress
✅ Tracking patterns to identify your unique triggers

You can soothe the reflux without compromising nutrition or gut health. Want a tailored approach that actually works with your IBD symptoms? Let’s chat. 💬

📩 DM to book a free discovery call.

Address

Top Floor, 40-42 High Street
Poole
BH151BT

Telephone

+447896806928

Website

https://www.melaniesmithnutrition.com/crohns-disease, http://www.melaniesmithnutrition.com/book-online

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