Back on the menu

Health The advice you need

Back on the menu I’m no longer turning down dinner Eli Brecher, 24, north London True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK

20 P ushing away my plate, I refused to take another bite. ‘My belly hurts again,’ I moaned to my parents. This had become a regular thing. I complained of tummy ache every single mealtime. At first, Mum thought I was just being fussy. She tried everything –swappi foods around, cuttin portion sizes –but st I grumbled about pa In October 2003, w was 8, Mum took me GP. I was given blood the doctor felt my be ‘There’s some inflammation,’ he sa He referred me for colonoscopy –a tiny c to look inside me. In the doctors had the r ‘She has Crohn’s disease,’ he explaine my mum and he gen told me my pain was because I had a bug in my tum. I thought I’d just have medication, and be better in no time –but Crohn’s is a lifelong condition. I’d have to manage my diet and deal with flare-ups for the rest of my life. As a kid, it seemed terrifying. For the first h h Student drinking and 3am pizzas left me in agony

Diagnosed when I was little

soya or eggs,’ my doctor instructed –old favourites such as peanut butter on toast were off the menu. Meanwhile, I got used to having regular checkups, injections and tablets. It kept my symptoms at bay for a while. And, gradually, I reintroduced some other foods. By the time I started university in September 2014, I knew my worst i f fl

I’m making healthy, delicious food

I took inspiration from their recipes online. Experimenting in the kitchen, I documented it on social media. Making wholesome, nourishing meals, I realised how much I loved cooking. It even inspired me to take on a second degree in Nutrition. And, right now, that’s my focus. I want to help others i h C ohn’s, to show them sible to eat well, to oy delicious food. s why I’m g with Bowel & Research, hoping awareness. t to spread the you can still enjoy y and healthy life ohn’s. hat’s full of flavour!