If you or a loved one has IBD, you also know that symptoms can be triggered by certain foods and stress. So presents like baked goods, chocolate, and alcohol won’t cut it. “If we’re talking about gifts for IBD patients, it should be something that would make their life easier, especially when they’re having a flare,” says Bethany S. DeVito, MD, a gastroenterologist at Northwell Health in New York. Check out these gift ideas that will likely make a lasting impression this holiday season.
1. IBD-Friendly Food Prep
While many food prep or delivery options have a level of customization that people with IBD can work around, MealPro has an entire menu dedicated to people with Crohn’s and colitis. This service prepares meals and delivers them chilled in thermal boxes on specified delivery dates. The ready-to-eat meals can then be microwaved when you don’t feel your best or are just not up for cooking. All meals under the Crohn’s and colitis menu are high in lean protein and complex carbs, which, the company says, are designed to reduce flare-ups and inflammation, and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation says the menu can be tolerated by those with IBD.
2. Books That Inform and Inspire
Sometimes the best remedy is knowing that you are not dealing with IBD alone. When people record their own experiences with IBD, it can help offer insights or new resources and help expand the IBD community. Check out Everyday Health’s recommendations for books that address diets for IBD, personal stories, advice, scientific research, and self-help novels.
3. Soothing Supplements Like Peppermint Oil
While your loved one should consult a doctor before taking supplements, some research suggests oral peppermint oil supplements can benefit people with IBS. Although the research wasn’t focused on Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, it does suggest some digestive benefit. Clinical guidelines published in January 2021 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology suggest peppermint oil to relieve IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain. “Some brands are specific for cramping, and they work beautifully,” says Dr. DeVito. “The active ingredient is mentha piperita (peppermint), and it has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic components to it and it’s a natural way of calming down their intestines.”
4. A Gift That Warms the Tummy
When an IBD flares, heat is a good remedy for stomach pain and can relieve cramping but only for the short-term. DeVito recommends gifting a heated blanket or pad that they can use whenever they like but especially for these moments. This IBD hack has even come up in forum posts like the Crohn’s Forum. You can also opt for the cheaper alternative: a hot rubber water bottle. But it’s probably better to gift them with an electric pad, so there’s no need to get up if your person is in a middle of a flare.
5. Tools to Stay Hydrated
It’s tough for anyone to drink enough water during the day, but proper hydration is especially critical for those with IBD. Not only can dehydration worsen Crohn’s symptoms, it can also exacerbate symptoms, like increase bowel movement frequency, which can increase the risk of dehydration, causing a vicious cycle to occur. A smart hydration reminder takes the stress out of remembering how much water you need to drink throughout the day. There’s a gamut of tools available — from stand-alone apps to individual smart bottles — but also accessories like Ulla, which can be strapped to existing water bottles and transferred to any bottle. And it’s a simple reminder: Drink some water if the Ulla blinks.
6. A Backup Bag
IBD symptoms don’t always flare up in the comfort of your own home. Because of this, DeVito suggests gifting a nice “emergency bag” your loved one can keep in their car or at work, with remedies they would need just in case. “Just to have something extra — extra underwear, wipes, ointments, and things like that,” she says. Along with the bag, you might also want to fill it up with some of those essentials to help them get started.
7. Money Always Helps
Gifting money may seem impersonal, but for someone with IBD, it can make all the difference, especially if their insurance doesn’t cover their medication or care. For many people, this isn’t hypothetical. Insurance companies deny coverage for medication, and financial assistance programs exist because of the steep price of managing IBD. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation even has a webpage dedicated to helping people with the cost of IBD. Even if the cash didn’t go toward medication, people with IBD incur more than double the out-of-pocket costs than people without IBD, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. And healthcare costs can be more than three times higher for people with IBD.
