News / Crohns and Colitis UK

Bristol food photographer releases plant-based cookbook for IBD sufferers

By Hannah Massoudi  Thursday Dec 22, 2022

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.

Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
Keep our city's journalism independent. Become a supporter member today.

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:

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:

Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
I want to receive (tick as many as you want):
I'm interested in (for future reference):
Marketing Permissions

Bristol24/7 will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

We will only use your information in accordance with our privacy policy, which can be viewed here - www.bristol247.com/privacy-policy/ - you can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at meg@bristol247.com. We will treat your information with respect.


We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Related articles

You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Join the Better
Business initiative
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
* prices do not include VAT
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Enjoy delicious local
exclusive deals
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Wake up to the latest
Get the breaking news, events and culture in your inbox every morning