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IBD Diet and Travelling

Last Updated: 24/02/2024

Whether you suffer from IBD or not, everyone is at increased risk of experiencing diarrhoea when travelling abroad due to consuming food and water that contains bacteria, parasites or viruses which are different to those you are used to. The risk of contracting a diarrhoea bug will depend on the destination of your visit, how developed the country is and the sanitation.

It is a good idea to stick to the diet you usually follow at home as far as you can, unless you feel confident about trying something new. Generally foreign and spicy foods should not make your IBD worse but you should be more careful about hygiene, particularly in developing countries.

To minimise the risk of getting a diarrhoea bug the following precautions can be taken:

  • Only drink bottled water. If this is unavailable, make sure that drinking water is boiled
  • Use bottled water for brushing teeth or washing food
  • Stick to bottled drinks or cans and avoid draught drinks (beer/lager is the exception here), and drinks which need water to dilute them, such as cordials, syrups or powders
  • Avoid ice cubes, as frozen water is probably made using local supplies
  • Avoid water-containing foods, such as ice cream
  • Peel fruits or wash them in bottled water.
  • Avoid uncooked foods like salads, raw vegetables, eggs and fish (especially shellfish) as well as undercooked and reheated foods
  • Avoid food from street sellers

Should you develop diarrhoea, or an increase in stools, it is important to remain hydrated, so take care to drink enough fluids. Further information regarding travellers' diarrhoea and avoiding dehydration can be found in on our managing travellers’ diarrhoea page.

Advice from a Dietician or qualified nutritionist may help with many aspects of IBD and also when planning to travel, when your diet may not been the same as usual for a peroid of time. This useful nutritionist resource can give you a few handy tips regarding diet.  Comprehensive diet and inflammatory Bowel Disease information can also be found on the Crohn's and Colitis UK website.  

 

 

Parenteral/ enteral nutrition and travel

 Always ensure you contact your nutrition team before booking any holiday to ensure your health needs can be managed adequate plans are in place before your trip 

You may be receiving artificial nutrition via tube (enteral nutrition) into your intestine/stomach or via a line,e.g. Hickman or PICC line (parenteral nutrition) into your vein. This should not stop you from travelling but there are extra factors that you will need to consider before your trip.

**Check out this useful Blog from Sara Ringer, Author of Inflammed and untamed, for helpful tips for travelling with TPN**

Plan ahead

Allow at least 6 weeks before your departure date to plan the logistics of travelling with your feed. The homecare company that delivers your feed can deliver to many overseas destinations. Exceptions to this are developing countries and those in war conflict or where delivery is not possible due to customs restrictions. Contact your feed delivery company before you book your trip to ensure delivery is possible.

Obtain a letter from your specialist outlining your medical history, medication and an explanation of why you need enteral/ parenteral nutrition. A sample clinician letter for patients travelling with IV or tube feeds that can be edited can be found at The Oley foundation website

Ensure you have a written plan from your specialist of what to do in an emergency

A complication chart, and travel pack which covers the symptoms and steps to take for common problems related to parenteral or tube feeding nutrition and an essential supply inventory list plus useful tips for travel can be obtained from the Oley Foundation

Inform the travel agent or airline of any special needs you have or facilities you may require. You may need a medical certificate from your specialist confirming your fitness to travel.

Inform the airline that you will be carrying essential medical supplies with you. You will need an excess baggage waiver and will have to provide the airline with details of the contents, weight and dimensions of the excess baggage containing your feed equipment. You may be charged extra for this depending on the airline.

At the airport – you can request special assistance for pre-boarding, immigration and baggage reclaim.

Most pumps and feeds are safe to go through airport security x-ray but it is a good idea to check with your specialist or feed manufacturer and obtain a letter from them confirming this.

Transport your pump and at least one nights’ supply of feeds and medication in your hand luggage. You will need a supporting letter and a copy of your prescription from the hospital or feed company to do this.

Request your feed and pumps to hand loaded onto the aircraft. This can be done with prior arrangement via ‘special handling’.

Ensure you know what products you can take onto the plane and what should go in the hold.

Consider the length of your trip- you will have to carry adequate medical supplies and equipment for the duration of your trip plus any additional supplies in case of delays.

What will the temperature be like at the destination? Hot, humid counties run the risk of causing dehydration, meaning you may have to take extra fluids.

Accommodation facilities- What type of accommodation? What facilities do they offer? Does it have a regular sized fridge to store your feed or a only a mini-bar? you should be able to call ahead and request a fridge in the room or arrange for storage of feeds in the hotel facilities.

Additional extras to consider

  • Take extra batteries for your pump
  • Ensure you have a travel adapter at the correct voltage for your pump
  • Take contact details of your specialist at home and the nearest hospital to your destination
  • Take extra supplies in case of breakage, spills, unexpected delays to your trip.

Sources of information

  1. Patients on intravenous and naso-gastric nutrition therapy (PINN)- artificial nutrition support website http://pinnt.com/
  2. The Oley foundation www.oley.org
  3. Crohn’s and Colitis UK Travel and IBD information sheet www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk
  4. Crohn's and Colitis UK (Edition 6-2012) Food and IBD booklet
  5. Spira A. Preparing the traveller. 2003; Travel Medicine; 361: 1368-1381
  6. Sara Ringer inflamed and untamed IBD Blog http://www.inflamed-and-untamed.com/

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