A time of growth. For your garden. And you.

A time of growth. For your garden. And you.

A bounty of ideas for eating with Crohn's or UC. This season, food temptations are at every turn. While the fiber found in fruits, veggies, nuts, grains, and many other foods is important for health, it can sometimes spell trouble for those with IBD. Although each person s experience is different and there s no one specific diet for eating with IBD, here are basic guidelines that can help you with food choices especially during flares. Bon appétit. Not all fibers are created equal. There are 2 types of fiber. One may aggravate your symptoms, while the other may actually help. It's always a good idea to talk with your health care professional about what's good for you specifically. In the meantime, here's a short primer on untangling the different fibers: Soluble fiber can be dissolved in water and turns to a gel during the digestion process. This slows digestion and can also help reduce diarrhea. Foods containing soluble fiber include: oatmeal, barley, applesauce, melons, potatoes, and peeled fruits. Insoluble fiber doesn t dissolve in water and is more difficult to digest. Food moves through the gut much quicker and can cause bloating, diarrhea, gas, and pain. Foods containing insoluble fiber include: nuts, seeds, the skins of fruit and vegetables, bran, and whole wheat.

Some food tips that are easy to digest: Keep it small: It s best to eat small meals or snacks every 3 to 4 hours. Say hello to more H 2 O: Especially as the weather turns warmer, it s important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Well-cooked is, well, best: Choose foods that are easier to digest, such as well-cooked asparagus and potatoes, applesauce, and melons (making sure to avoid the seeds). When diarrhea is severe, cooked and stewed fruits are the way to go. Add some flavor: Cooking with herbs and spices like oregano, thyme, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon is a fragrant and flavorful way to include plant foods into your diet. Plus, they all reportedly have some benefits for patients with IBD, so sprinkle away. Know when to go with the grain: Foods that contain refined grains are easier on the system. Potato bread, French bread, and sourdough are all good choices. When you feel better, explore slowly: During periods when you don t have symptoms, include whole grains and a variety of fruits and vegetables in your eating plan. Start new foods in small amounts, one at a time.

Spring training for active amateurs. Every year, baseball players show up at spring training to get in shape for the new season. But what about us non-athletes? If winter kept you indoors or cooled your desire for physical activity here are some tips to help get you back into a routine. Check with your primary personal trainer: your doctor Before starting any program of physical activity, talk with your doctor. Your doctor knows you and your health record, and can help guide you to a program that s best for you. Set your fitness goals Before you even think about breaking a sweat, think about your reasons for wanting to be active. Write them down and re-read them periodically. It can help you stick to your plan. Start slowly To help you develop an activity habit you can follow for life, begin slowly. Then build it up gradually to 30 minutes a day (either all in one chunk or in three 10-minute intervals).

Some activities to consider Moderate Walking Bicycling Mowing the grass Tai Chi, yoga Conditioning machines: stair climber, elliptical, stationary bike Intermittent-motion sports: softball, baseball, volleyball Vigorous Jogging or running Tennis Swimming Jumping rope Continuous-motion sports: soccer, basketball, football, racquetball Spinning classes Pick a time Many people find that exercising at the same time of the day helps make it a regular part of their lifestyle. Make it fun The idea is to enjoy being active. So choose activities that you enjoy. Exercising with a friend helps make it more interesting, even if your friend has 4 legs and a cold nose. Go easy on yourself If you ve fallen out of your physical activity routine before, you may find yourself slipping again. Don t feel discouraged or guilty. Go back to your health goals and think about the reasons you wanted to get active in the first place. Then pick yourself up and get moving again.

A break from the ordinary A guide to spring travel. Whether it s snowy mountains or sandy beaches, national parks or city skylines, spring is a great time to take a break. Here are locations throughout the country where you and your family can share the new season. West Arizona Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly California Yosemite National Park, Catalina Island Colorado Mesa Verde National Park Idaho Bruneau Dunes State Park, Lucky Peak Reservoir Nevada Great Basin National Park, Valley of Fire State Park New Mexico White Sands National Monument Oregon Portland to Redwood National Park (in California) Utah Arches National Park, Zion National Park Washington San Juan Islands, Space Needle in Seattle Wyoming The Medicine Bow Rail Trail Midwest Illinois The Field Museum in Chicago Indiana The Indianapolis Museum of Art Michigan Clinch Park in Traverse City Minnesota Beaver Creek Valley State Park Missouri Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Lake of the Ozarks Nebraska The Old Market District in Omaha North Dakota North Dakota Badlands in Medora Ohio Hocking Hills State Park South Dakota Custer State Park Wisconsin Great River State Trail

West Midwest East South East Connecticut The Meriden Daffodil Festival Delaware Children s Museum in Wilmington Maine The trolley tour in Portland, outlet stores in Freeport Maryland The beach & boardwalk at Ocean City Massachusetts Old Sturbridge Village New Hampshire Ride the tramway up the White Mountains New Jersey Cape May Point State Park New York Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown Pennsylvania Philadelphia Museum of Art Rhode Island Tour the old mansions in Newport, the Old Harbor on Block Island Vermont Annual Maple Festival in St. Albans South Alabama Dauphin Island in Mobile Florida Tour the Dead Lakes of Cape San Blas Georgia The cobblestone streets & riverfront of historic Savannah, Stone Mountain Louisiana Lake Charles at Mardi Gras time Mississippi Natchez National Historical Park North Carolina Hatteras Lighthouse South Carolina Kiawah Island, Fort Sumter in Charleston Tennessee The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville Texas Devil s Cove at Lake Travis, the beaches on South Padre Island Virginia Shenandoah National Park, Colonial Williamsburg Washington, DC The White House & the Lincoln Memorial West Virginia Historic Cannon Hill in Morgantown 2017 AbbVie Inc. North Chicago, IL 60064 64N-1894071 January 2017