Diwali Food Habits and IBD Flare-Ups: How to Manage Your Diet During Festivals

Diwali is a time for celebrations, family gatherings and enjoying different types of food. From sweets and chakli to namkeen and fried snacks, food is an important part of the festival. However, people living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) need to be a little more careful about their eating habits during this time.

People with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis may have different food-related problems. Some foods can cause bloating, stomach pain, loose motions or discomfort. During Diwali, eating oily food, spicy snacks and too many sweets may make these problems worse.

This does not mean that people with IBD cannot enjoy Diwali food. They can enjoy the festival by making simple changes to their diet and following a few healthy eating habits.

How Can Diwali Food Affect People With IBD?

During festivals, our normal food routine often changes. We may eat more snacks, have sweets several times a day or eat meals at irregular times.

These changes may cause digestive problems in some people with IBD.

Here are some common Diwali foods that may cause discomfort:

• Fried snacks: Chakli, samosa, kachori and bhajiya contain more oil. They may increase stomach discomfort or loose motions in some people.
• Spicy food: Food with too much chilli and masala may cause burning sensations or stomach discomfort.
• Sweets: Gulab jamun, jalebi and other sweets contain high amounts of sugar. They may cause bloating or loose motions in some people.
• Dry fruits and nuts: These foods may be difficult to digest for some patients, especially during an active flare-up.
• Cold drinks: Carbonated drinks may increase gas and bloating.

It is important to remember that every IBD patient is different. A food that causes problems for one person may be suitable for another. Also, food-related symptoms do not always mean that IBD inflammation has increased.

Which Diwali Foods Should IBD Patients Avoid or Limit?

People with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis do not need to avoid every festive food. However, they should understand which foods cause discomfort and adjust their portions accordingly.

People with Crohn's Disease who have intestinal narrowing or strictures may need special dietary care. They should discuss their food choices with their doctor.

7 Simple Diet Tips for IBD Patients During Diwali

1. Eat Small Meals

Avoid eating too much food at one time. Instead, eat smaller meals at regular intervals.

Large meals may cause bloating, stomach pain and discomfort. Eating smaller portions can help some people manage their symptoms.

2. Reduce Fried and Spicy Food

Diwali snacks are often oily and spicy. Eating too much of these foods may increase digestive problems.

Try homemade snacks prepared with less oil and fewer spices. If a particular food causes discomfort, avoid it.

3. Do Not Eat Too Many Sweets

Sweets are difficult to avoid during Diwali. However, eating too many sweets may cause bloating and loose motions, especially in people who have difficulty digesting dairy products.

Enjoy small portions and choose sweets that suit your digestion.

4. Drink Enough Water

People with IBD may experience frequent loose motions. This can lead to loss of water and salts from the body.

Drink enough water throughout the day. If you have diarrhoea, ask your doctor whether ORS is suitable for you.

5. Follow Your Regular Meal Timings

During Diwali, people often skip meals because of shopping, travel or family functions.

Try not to skip your regular meals. Eat food at the usual time and avoid eating very heavy meals late at night.

6. Understand Your Food Triggers

Every IBD patient has different food preferences and tolerance levels.

Keep a simple food diary. Write down what you eat and whether you experience any symptoms afterwards. This can help you understand which foods suit your body.

Do not stop eating important food groups without medical advice.

7. Continue Your Regular Medicines

One of the most important things during Diwali is to continue your prescribed IBD medicines.

Do not skip medicines because of festival celebrations or because you are feeling better. Diet alone cannot control IBD inflammation.

If you have any concerns about your medicines, speak with your treating doctor.

What Can IBD Patients Eat During Diwali?

People with IBD can enjoy different foods during Diwali, depending on their digestion and disease condition.

Some food options that may suit certain patients include:

• Plain rice and soft khichdi.
• Well-cooked vegetables.
• Homemade food with less oil and spices.
• Eggs and other suitable protein-rich foods.
• Ripe bananas, if tolerated.
• Freshly prepared soups.
• Lactose-free milk or dairy alternatives, if needed.

During an active flare-up, some patients may need soft and low-fibre food for a short period. During remission, they may be able to enjoy a more varied and balanced diet.

There is no single diet that works for everyone with IBD. Food choices should depend on symptoms, disease activity and individual tolerance.

Can Diwali Food Cause an IBD Flare-Up?

Many people with IBD worry that eating sweets, fried snacks or spicy food during festivals may cause a flare-up.

Certain foods can increase digestive symptoms in some patients. However, eating a particular food does not automatically cause inflammation in the intestine.

It is important to understand the difference between normal digestive discomfort and an actual IBD flare-up.

If you experience repeated loose motions, blood in stools, stomach pain or increased urgency, do not ignore these symptoms. They may need medical attention.

An IBD specialist can help check whether the symptoms are related to food intolerance, infection or active intestinal inflammation.

When Should You Consult an IBD Specialist?

Sometimes, digestive symptoms may continue even after changing your food habits. In such situations, it is important to understand the reason behind them.

You should consult a doctor if you experience:

• Frequent loose motions or diarrhoea.
• Blood or mucus in stools.
• Regular stomach pain or cramps.
• Increased urgency to pass stools.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Loss of appetite.
• Symptoms that continue for several days.

Severe stomach pain, heavy bleeding, persistent vomiting or signs of dehydration require urgent medical attention.

Dr. Vikrant Kale is a gastroenterologist, hepatologist and IBD specialist with advanced training in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and GI Endoscopy from Oxford University, UK. Patients with ongoing symptoms can seek medical guidance to understand their condition and treatment needs.

Conclusion

Diwali is a time to enjoy with family and friends. Having IBD does not mean you need to miss all your favourite festive foods. The important thing is to eat carefully and understand what suits your body.

Avoid overeating, limit very oily and spicy foods, drink enough water and continue your regular medicines. Most importantly, do not ignore repeated digestive symptoms.

With proper food choices and regular medical care, people with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis can enjoy Diwali while taking care of their digestive health.