Crohn’s Disease Diet

Crohn’s disease can make your food choices limited. However, once you have a list of foods to include and avoid, you can effectively manage the symptoms. By cutting out a few foods, (most of which are not good for you even if you are not a Crohn’s patient), you can live a healthy life.

For an IBD patient, careless food consumption may lead to complications like malnutrition and weight loss. Following a diet plan religiously will not only keep the symptoms in check, but it will also make you healthy overall.

Below is a list of foods that you should include and avoid during Crohn’s disease treatment.

Include

Fresh water
Sparkling water
Fresh juices (pulp-free)
Non-caffeinated herbal teas
Chamomile tea, peppermint tea, green tea, ginger tea, hibiscus tea, echinacea tea, rooibos tea, sage tea, lemon balm tea
Green tea:
Green tea has numerous benefits in addition to providing relief in colon inflammation. While it may not benefit all people equally, its consumption poses no risks.
Protein-rich foods:
Fish, eggs, nuts (and nut butters that do not contain seeds), poultry and soy products.
Calcium-rich foods:
Yogurt and milk (lactose-free milk if you are lactose intolerant).
Refined grains:
White bread, white rice, pancakes, plain crackers, waffles, oatmeal and gluten-free bread.
Fruits:
Apple, ripe banana, ripe honeydew melon, watermelon, cantaloupe, peach, and pumpkins.
Vegetables:
Avocados, asparagus tips, peeled cucumbers, collard greens, celery, spinach, asparagus, eggplant
potatoes without the skin, and pumpkin.
Curcumin
Garlic
Firm tofu
Probiotics:
Kefir, tempeh, sauerkraut, sourdough bread, and yogurt (with live active cultures).
Herbs & Spices:
Boswellia, Turmeric and Marshmallow

Avoid

Alcohol
Caffeine
Soda
Butter, margarine, oils, mayonnaise
Coffee, chocolate, black tea
Fried foods
Vegetables:
Cabbage, onions, broccoli, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, greens, lima beans, onions, parsnips, peppers, peas, potato skins, spinach, winter squash and raw vegetables.
Raw fruits (and fruit juices with pulp):
Dried fruits, such as raisins and prune juice
Beans and legumes
Pork and red meat
Spicy foods
Spices:
Black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, jalapeños, garlic, white, yellow, or purple, onions, paprika, wasabi
Sugar (better to avoid)
Sweets & Desserts:
Foods containing bran, such as muffins, coconut, cookies or other sweets made with whole-grain flour, dried fruit and jams.
Breads and starches (during a flare-up you should take a low-fiber approach):
Brown rice, wild rice, cereals containing nuts, dried fruit, or seeds, quinoa, whole-grain breads, crackers/pastas, and whole-wheat breads, crackers/pastas.
High-fibre foods (especially insoluble fibre)
Whole grain
Dairy products (if lactose intolerant) and dairy products that may contain added sources of fiber:
Cheeses that contain nuts or seeds and yogurts that contain fruit skins, like whole blueberries, cherries, or strawberries.
Hot sauces
High-fat foods/High-fat protein sources:
Fried eggs, fried meat, high-fat lunch meats, such as salami, nut butters with seeds and tough or chewy cuts of meat.
Fats:
Coconut, nuts & salad dressings with poppy seeds.
Popcorn & Seeds

Whole Foods, Fermented Foods & Fiber

While whole foods are normally recommended as they are rich in fiber and nutrients, their high fiber content can cause problems for a Crohn’s patient.

Fermented foods are good for Crohn’s patients because they help balance the bacteria in your gut. Foods rich in probiotics such as yeast and kefir are good for your digestive system.

Vegan, Pescatarian & Anti-Inflammatory Diets

Studies suggest that meat consumption is possibly one of the causes of the development of IBD. On the other hand, the vegan diet has proved to be effective in the alleviation of IBD symptoms. Incorporating some types of seafood with your vegan diet like Salmon and Tuna (oily fish) can also help with IBD symptoms.

IBD patients tend to develop an imbalance in gut bacteria. The anti-inflammatory diet helps in maintaining a balance between good and bad bacteria. Consuming probiotics and prebiotics can help gut health during Crohn’s disease treatment.

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is good for your gut’s health. It reduces inflammation and restores gut balance. It is also helpful in providing relief from leaky gut symptoms.

Juicing

Juices are great for your digestive system’s overall health. Inflammation of bowel causes several painful symptoms in an IBD patient. Juicing can help reduce the inflammation of bowel.

Moreover, an IBD patient can’t consume fiber in most cases. By squeezing juices of fruits and vegetables, you can make sure you get all the nutrients without the fiber. Plus, the insoluble fiber is retained this way, which is helpful in bowel movements.

GAPS Diet

GAPS diet is an elimination diet where you cut out foods that are not considered healthy for gut health. While it alleviates pain and inflammation of bowel, a GAPS diet may lead to nutrient deficiency. So, consult your doctor before incorporating this diet into your routine during Crohn’s disease treatment.

Candida Diet

Candida diet is targeted towards eliminating “candida”, a fungus that causes inflammation of bowel. Essentially, you eliminate products like sugar, yeast, alcohol, some dairy products, and white flour. These foods are known to cause candida growth according to proponents of the candida diet, making this diet a good fit for IBD patients.

Low-Carb Diet

Low-carb diets are a good way to reduce bacterial overgrowth in the gut. This makes a Crohn’s patient stay healthy and allows them to use less medication.

MIND Diet

MIND diet proponents suggest poultry, fish, nuts, beans, whole grains, and wine. As the diet contains wine and whole grain, it’s not suitable for Crohn’s disease treatment.

Ornish Diet

The Ornish diet is an effective solution for an IBD patient as it contains plant-based and low-fat foods. You avoid refined carbs and animal products in this diet, making it suitable for your gut’s health.

Nutrients & Supplements

The following products might be helpful for you. However, be sure to consult your doctor before taking vitamins or mineral supplements.

Folic Acid helps produce and maintain new body cells. Crohn’s medications usually prescribed interfere with the folic acid’s absorption, which is why it’s recommended for Crohn’s patients.
Iron: Iron deficiency is a possible complication of IBD. Iron supplements can be used to overcome the deficiency if you are in the remission stage. Otherwise, consume iron-rich foods.
Vitamin B12: If you are suffering from inflammation in the lower part of the small intestine, it can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. Doctors may prescribe a pill for it.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium, which is a must for strong bones. So, it’s recommended for all IBD patients.
Vitamin A, E, and K: IBD may lead to problems with fat absorption, which in turn, can lead to a deficiency of these vitamins. So, the intake of these vitamins is important.
Calcium: IBD steroids can weaken the patient’s bones. You can use calcium supplements to strengthen your bones.Be sure to consult your doctor before taking vitamins or mineral supplements.

*There is some scientific evidence for these benefits, but more research is needed to corroborate them, and they should not replace professional medical advice or treatment. It is also essential to note that while many individuals have found these products to be beneficial, every body is different and may react differently to them. Before starting use, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional. We must clarify that the Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these claims.

Herbs & Spices

Boswellia is an anti-inflammatory herb that’s used to reduce inflammation of bowel caused by the Cron’s disease.
Tumeric is related to ginger. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it suitable for IBD patients.
Marshmallow: The soothing quality of marshmallows makes it effective for Crohn’s patients. It helps reduce inflammation of bowel.

Other Health Care Products

Sound Healing: relaxation music.
Yoga Equipment: may help to reduce the risk of a flare-up.
Zinc or Castor Oil Cream: to help with or prevent sore skin.
Powder (non-medicated talcum powder or cornstarch): to help with irritated skin.
Zinc Oxide Pastes: (like for diaper rash) to help with irritated skin.
Ostomy Supplies: if you have had surgery to remove part of your digestive tract, and you wear an ostomy bag.