VanHoose emphasizes the importance of carefully managing her diet to support her health due to chronic illness. She separates coconut cream from water for use in various recipes. She prefers cooked or canned veggies like green beans for their ease, especially when fatigue sets in with her IBD condition. Frozen vegetables, particularly microwavable ones, are a labor-saving option to ensure she consumes enough nutrients. She highlights the role of fermented foods such as pickled vegetables in supporting gut health, and she opts for no-added-sugar brands like R.W. Knudsen to reduce flares.
"To ensure I get enough vitamins and fiber, I always have vegetables in the fridge or freezer. I enjoy fresh produce, but I also stock up on the kind in microwavable bags," VanHoose says, noting this shortcut can be helpful for folks with chronic illnesses. "Fatigue can be very real for those with IBD, even in remission. Microwaved veggies are better than no veggies."
"I look for brands that have no added sugars, flavors, or colors... limiting preservatives and chemicals helps keep flares at bay. R.W. Knudsen is one of the only brands at my supermarket that checks all those boxes," she says.
"Besides offering gut-supporting probiotics, pickled veggies are softer than raw and are easier on my digestive system," she says. "I love making my own dill pickles to add a tart element to cheese trays or relish for deviled eggs, or to simply snack on."
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