Crohn’s Disease Diet Plan: Foods To Eat & Avoid And Tips

According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation disease around 70,000 new cases of IBD are diagnosed in the US each year (1). Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, and its typical symptoms are painful abdominal cramps and diarrhea. To prevent further complications like ulcers and sores, you MUST take care of your diet. This is why a specialized Crohn’s disease diet is important. It helps you choose foods that soothe the intestinal walls and avoid foods that might cause inflammation. This article provides information on Crohn’s disease and takes you through how it helps, foods to eat and avoid as well as other diet tips.

At A Glance: Crohn’s Disease Diet

• Principle: A diet rich in fiber and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation and improve digestion
• Purpose: To manage the symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease
• Who It Is For: People with Crohn’s disease
• Duration: Long-term
• Who Should Avoid: Pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Cons: May lead to nutritional deficiencies, including that of calcium

What Is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract.ⁱ  XThe passageway of the digestive system through which food and liquids get swallowed, digested, absorbed, and leave the body as feces.  It can affect any region from the mouth to the anus. The inflammation can go deep into the intestinal wall lining, and you may experience the following symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Rectal bleeding
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

Paige Joanna, a blogger, shared her journey with Crohn’s disease in her video. She spoke about the painful symptoms she experienced due to this condition. She said, “I started going to the loo more often than normal. I was very pale. I was sort of lethargic (i).”

Crohn’s disease is usually diagnosed in people between 20-30 years, and, if left untreated, can cause the following complications:

• Intestinal blockage
• Ulcers
• Kidney stones
• Fistulasⁱ  XAbnormal passageways or connections between two body parts, like organs or blood vessels, that do not connect naturally.
• Arthritisⁱ  XSwelling and tenderness of one or more joints in the body that causes joint pain and stiffness, making it difficult to stay active.
• Gallstonesⁱ  XHardened pieces of digestive fluid that form in the gallbladder, a small pear-shaped organ just beneath the liver.
• Skin issues

Trivia

Approximately 65–75% of people with Crohn’s disease are malnourished because of reduced nutrient absorption, altered gut microbiotaⁱ  X A collection of microorganisms that colonize a person’s gastrointestinal tract and exist symbiotically within the digestive system. , and loss of appetite (2).

A survey conducted on 33,682 US adults found that 1.3% of Americans had inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study further found that 57.41% of women had IBD compared to 42.59% of men. Furthermore, 84.73% ate fries compared to 79.75% of the general population.

This disease is treated over a period of time. You will have to combine drug therapy, diet, surgery, and supplements to get results. A high-Calorie Diet for Crohn’s disease is required to combat a flare-up and malnutrition but it is always best to consult a doctor for the right kind of diet required for your body. In this post, we will discuss how diet can help and foods to eat and avoid. Scroll down.

How Can Diet Help?

Crohn’s disease diet helps you identify foods that might cause flare-ups and deteriorate the condition. Foods that reduce and control the inflammatory symptoms are recommended in this diet. Crohn’s disease diet helps you control the symptoms and improve your quality of life. Diet plans like gluten-free diet, low-acid diet, low-oxalate diet, and plant-based diets for Crohn’s disease may help manage the condition in various ways. However, it’s best to consult a doctor and a nutritionist to set up a diet plan and food list. Here’s a list of foods that can potentially increase inflammation. So, it’s best to avoid them.

Foods To Avoid

• Alcohol
• Raw vegetables and fruits
• Dairy products, especially if you are lactose intolerantⁱ  XUnable to fully digest lactose, a sugar present in milk. Consuming lactose-rich food may lead to bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
• Spicy and oily foods
• Pickles
• Fried foods
• Fast foods
• Margarine, butter, ghee, mayonnaise, and oil
• Foods high in fiber
• Nuts and seeds
• Nut butters
• Legumes – lentils and beans
• Carbonated drinks
• Red meat and processed meat

This list might feel like there’s nothing left for you to eat or enjoy eating. But if you are not careful about your diet, it might cause kidney problems, fistulas, and skin and liver problems. You may try consuming the following foods.

Foods To Consume

Note: Make sure you talk to your doctor before consuming these foods.

• Peeled, boiled or baked vegetables – Bell pepper, white potato, carrot, pumpkin, squash, cucumber, and spinach.
• Peeled raw, boiled or baked fruits – Banana, apple, and cantaloupe.
• White rice
• White rice pasta or white potato pasta
• Boiled or baked fish with limited or less oil and spices
• Olive oil, as tolerated
• Psylliumⁱ  XA form of dietary fiber made from Plantago ovata seed husks that can relieve symptoms of both constipation and mild diarrhea. and oats bran (if you can tolerate them and if your doctor recommends)

Doctors often prescribe probiotics for Crohn’s disease. Foods like yogurt, kefir, and miso may help relieve the symptoms. However, the consumption of probiotics for Crohn’s disease is still a subject of speculation, as it might be helpful for some people only (3). Apart from these foods, you may have to try the process of elimination, where you will consume a portion of food and see if you feel any discomfort. If yes, you must eliminate it from your diet. Also, there are certain diets that scientists have found to help in the remission of IBD symptoms. Talk to your doctor before starting any of the following diets.

Diets That Might Help Reduce Symptoms Of Crohn’s Disease

Scientifically proven diets, and not fads, can help in reducing the symptoms of Crohn’s disease (4). Here’s a list:

• Low-FODMAP Diet
• Mediterranean Diet
• Low Residue Diet
• Semi-vegetarian diet

Physicians often recommend SCD diet (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) that restricts the consumption of hard-to-digest carbohydrates for people with Crohn’s disease and other digestive disorders (5). The doctors may prescribe different dietary approaches. For instance, many they may prescribe a low-histamine diet for Crohn’s disease to people with histamine intolerance. The doctors may also recommend an elemental diet for Crohn’s disease for a few days, especially right after a flare-up.

Dietary Supplements For Crohn’s Disease

• Multivitamin
• Iron (if you have anemia)
• Calcium and vitamin D for your bones
• Folic acid
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamins A, E, and K
• Zinc

Trivia

The deficiency of vitamins D and K and iron in people with Crohn’s disease (CD) puts them at risk for anemia and poor bone health. About one-fifth of the patients have vitamin B12 deficiency (6).

Tips To Prevent Flare-Ups

• Quit smoking.
• Make sure that you cook your veggies completely before consuming them.
• Fish oil and flaxseed oil can help in reducing flare-ups. Talk to your doctor before consuming them.
• Have small, frequent meals.
• Drink water.
• Try to limit your refined sugar intake.
• Limit oil and spices.
• Avoid adding too much salt to your food.
• Consume gluten-free products if you are gluten sensitive.
• Seek regular nutritional counseling.
• If this disease is affecting your mental health, talk to a psychiatrist.
• Stay active by doing some physical activity.

Infographic: Sample Meal Plan For Crohn’s Disease

If you have Crohn’s disease, you may need to follow some dietary restrictions to prevent flare-ups. Some foods may be more suitable for individuals with Crohn’s disease than others, and there is no one-size-fits-all food list or meal plan that works for everyone. However, certain foods such as lean proteins, some herbs, nut butters, fruits, and vegetables are acceptable on a Crohn’s disease diet. Check out the infographic for a tasty sample meal plan you can follow.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are bananas good for Crohn’s?

They can be suitable, as bananas are considered one of the gut healing foods. However, talk to your doctor before consuming them.

Can milk cause Crohn’s disease?

Milk itself cannot cause Crohn’s disease. However, many people prefer to follow a dairy-free diet for Crohn’s disease. it is best to avoid dairy if you have Crohn’s disease and/or are lactose intolerant.

Can “elimination diets” cure Crohn’s disease?

Elimination diets have been found to help alleviate symptoms for people with Crohn’s disease. Try it under the supervision of your doctor or a nutritional counselor.

Can a liquid diet help me control Crohn’s disease symptoms?

A liquid diet might help. But consult your doctor to ensure that you are meeting your nutritional requirements. If you do eat solid food, make sure that your food is cooked properly. If you are drinking fruit juice, you can strain it to remove all the fiber that might irritate the stomach wall.

What bread is good for Crohn’s disease?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that toasted bread or a bagel made with refined white flour may be easily digestible for an individual with Crohn’s disease due to its low-fiber content. If you follow a low FODMAP, gluten-free, dairy-free diet you will have to refrain from these carbs.

Is pizza okay for Crohn’s disease?

This depends on the severity of the disease and what food triggers your condition. If your stomach can tolerate pizza, you can consume it. Otherwise, you can go for gluten-free and dairy-free options to satisfy your pizza cravings.

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Sarah SpannAdv Dip (Nut Med), mATMS

   

Sarah Spann has 4 years of experience as a clinical nutritionist. She specializes in gut health and is based in Brisbane, Australia. She is dedicated to changing the paradigm of gut health and works with clients all over the world to help them get back the freedom, energy and confidence that their gut issues have taken away. Sarah is passionate...more

Charushila BiswasHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information. After completing her master's in biotechnology from Vellore Institute of Technology,...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Sindhu KogantiSenior Health & Wellness Writer

Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy. After her graduation, she decided to combine her knowledge of science and love for writing to...more