News / Crohns and Colitis UK
Bristol food photographer releases plant-based cookbook for IBD sufferers
A Bristol-based commercial food photographer has released a plant-based cookbook after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
Helena Murphy, who has been plant-based since 2016, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in January 2021 and struggled to find vegan recipes that suited her new dietary requirements, so took it upon herself to write her new cookbook, The Plant-Based Cookbook for Crohn’s and Colitis.
According to research conducted by Crohn’s & Colitis UK, its estimated 1 in every 123 people in the UK have either Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis with no specific causation behind it. Crohn’s can cause symptoms including fatigue, nausea, stomach cramps, joint paint as well as other symptoms.
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure, but there are multiple ways to manage it including various courses of medicine to reduce inflammation of the digestive system, surgery, and a suitable diet.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClVjzwYoj4N/
Hannah’s new cookbook is designed with this in mind.
With 70 recipes that include dishes designed for maximum nutrition and ease of digestion, it also includes suggestions for how to diversify a plant-based diet, a useful list of kitchen staples to buy in bulk and evidence-based research about plant-based diets in relation to IBD.
“I had never heard of IBD when I received my diagnosis, and my IBD team focused largely on the medical aspect of treatment,” said Hannah.
“I knew that I wanted to pursue a holistic approach to finding remission and that would include taking a close look at what I was eating.”
Helena’s walnut and mushroom tacos – photo: Helen Murphy
“I really hope this cookbook can help give other people ideas and inspiration if they aren’t sure where to start with their diet after receiving a diagnosis.”
The Plant-Based Crohn’s and Colitis Cookbook goes on sale for £24 in January 2023.
Main photo: Helena Murphy
Read next:
- Young chef launches sustainable food blog
- Bristol business celebrating home cooks launches in Bath
- Bristol’s latest bookshop opens
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
