Even though your diet can play a role in reducing symptoms and may have some effect on underlying inflammation, medication is almost always necessary to effectively treat Crohn’s disease.
Diet and Nutrition Problems in Crohn’s Disease
Making changes in your diet doesn’t always help these problems, but you may need to eat differently in response to make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need. Common dietary problems in active Crohn’s disease include: Malabsorption Inflammation in the small intestine can make it more difficult to absorb nutrients. Severe diarrhea can also result in nutrients not getting digested properly, as well as lead to dehydration. Lack of Appetite You may not feel like eating much if you’re experiencing nausea and vomiting. This can make it difficult to get enough calories and nutrients. Malnutrition You may eat less, or follow a diet that isn’t healthy, to avoid symptoms if you’re having numerous bowel movements during the day. Increased Energy Needs Having a chronic disease like Crohn’s can increase your body’s energy expenditure, so that you need to consume more calories to maintain your body weight. Food triggers can be different from person to person. The following dietary strategies may help ease symptoms of Crohn’s disease, especially during flares: Eat smaller meals. Reduce meal size or try “grazing” throughout the day. Drink small amounts of water. Do this often throughout the day. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables, and their cooked skins. You may have an easier time digesting cooked, pureed, and peeled fruits and vegetables. If you’re not lactose-intolerant, though, keep in mind that dairy products can be an important source of protein and calcium.
Best Foods to Eat While Having a Flare
Certain foods are easier to digest and may be better tolerated during a flare. These include: Many of these products are also fortified with vitamins and minerals. Many common foods can be made softer by cooking them for longer or with more water. You can also try pureeing foods to make them easier to digest.
Special Diet for Crohn’s Disease
It’s important to talk to your doctor about how to avoid problematic foods while still maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. There’s no one diet for Crohn’s disease. The particular diet that your doctor recommends will depend on the type and severity of your symptoms. Some common diets for Crohn’s disease include: Carbohydrate Exclusion Diets These diets limit or completely exclude fiber, grains, and certain sugars. While there are several types of carbohydrate exclusion dietary plans, the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) is currently being studied by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. The SCD excludes all refined and processed foods from the diet, along with soy, lactose, sucrose, grains, and certain vegetables, like potatoes, okra, and corn. This diet can lead to deficiencies in numerous vitamins and minerals, so it’s important to stay in close contact with a healthcare provider while following it. Low-FODMAP Diet Several studies have found this diet improves irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is very different from IBD, though the two share many of the same symptoms. Gluten-Free Diet Research shows people with celiac disease are at an increased risk for IBD. If there is overlap, going gluten-free can help ease GI symptoms. Some IBD patients who do not have celiac disease have found avoiding gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, reduces their symptoms. Semi-Vegetarian Diet This diet, which limits animal-based protein to once a week for fish and once every two weeks for meat, is most commonly used to help treat hospitalized IBD patients in Japan. Be sure to discuss any major dietary changes you’re considering with your doctor to make sure that they’re safe and right for you. Remember that you can’t try out every dietary strategy at once, and that it may take some time to figure out how you react to a change in your diet.
Dietary Supplements for Crohn’s Disease
Your doctor may recommend the following supplements, depending on your needs:
MultivitaminIron, if you have anemia (inadequate red blood cells)Calcium and vitamin D, to help your bones stay strongFolic acidVitamin B12Vitamins A, E, and KZinc
Additional reporting by Ali McPherson
