Food Choices for Crohn's Disease

Having to figure out the foods that work for your body after a Crohn's disease diagnosis can be very time consuming and painful.  Fortunately, I have already completed some trial and error research for you ;)  The list below contains a few items that I have found to work for my body during a flare as well as on non-flare days.  The list includes:

• Yogurt with active Lactobacillus strains
• chemically broken down milk or fermented milk
• during the fermentation process, the good bacteria digests a majority of the lactose found in milk, giving yogurt the ability to avoid the element of lactose, while still being nutritional
• the good bacteria found in yogurt reside in our stomachs and over-crowd the bad bacteria in our stomachs, leading to a very healthy equilibrium for our stomach lining and immune system
• ultimately, it provides the body with much needed calories and calcium that may be lacking due to the Crohn's disease process, along with aiding in intestinal recovery
• Salmon, Tuna, and Herring
• contains Omega-3 fatty acids
• have anti-inflammatory properties
• help reduce inflammation
• Cooked carrots (should be cooked until soft and tender)
• contain antioxidants
• nutrient filled (excellent source of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin K, and manganese)
• easily digested
• Unsweetened apple sauce
• can serve as a substitute for fresh fruits and vegetables, as fresh produce can prove to be troublesome for some
• Cheese, specifically Swiss and Cheddar
• great source of calcium
• Potatoes and bananas
• exclude the potato skins (can be too high in fiber)
• great source of potassium
• helps maintain fluid body balance
• Refined cereals
• such as Cream of Wheat, Special K, Corn Flakes, or Rice Krispies
• has a small amount of fiber
• helps maintain nutritional balance
• Liquid meals
• such as Ensure
• large amount of calories in a very digestible form
• helps boost energy level, and immune system
• available in numerous flavors for the fickle taste palettes
• available for multiple nutritional needs, such as high protein or weight gain formulas
• contains dairy, so it can aggravate Crohn's symptoms in some

I have also compiled a list of items to avoid, which include:

• Spicy foods
• mild herbs and citrus juice can be substituted for spicy seasonings
• Fried and greasy foods
• the fat in these foods are not absorbed properly by the small intestine, which causes cramping and loose stools
• try foods that are baked, broiled, or steamed
• High-fiber foods
• not digested completely by the small intestine
• substitute with refined breads and pastas
• Foods with gluten
• labeled "whole-grain" or "whole-wheat"
• some with Crohn's may also be "gluten intolerant" or "gluten sensitive"
• Caffeine
• avoid if you are experiencing diarrhea, as it stimulates the intestine increasing diarrhea
• to get needed fluids try drinking water, sport drinks, and fruit juice (may need to be diluted with water)
• sip your drinks instead of gulping, as gulping can lead to excess gas
• Alcohol
• may exacerbate diarrhea
• has the potential to dry out your body (cause dehydration) and prevent proper rehydration
• has the potential to negatively interact with Crohn's medication
• Raw fruits and vegetables
• in their pure form are loaded with fiber
• not completely digested in the small intestine, causing diarrhea
• switch to cooked vegetables and fruit without skin
• broccoli, cauliflower, and beans may never make the "ok to eat" category

The key to developing a diet that helps your Crohn's disease symptoms is to keep a food diary.  This will enable you to look back at your meals to pinpoint the causes of flares or pain occurrences.  It is very important to take supplements (Omega-3s, multi-vitamin, etc.) in order to make up for the nutrients missed by removing certain foods from your diet.  Also keep an eye out for your body's response to dairy products, as they can be hard to digest and they contain lactose (causes additional aggravation for those that are also lactose intolerant).  Please keep in mind that food tolerability as it pertains to Crohn's disease is different for everyone.  So, this is just a foundation for you to try in order to discover what will work for you.  This is all I have compiled to date, so feel free to comment or ask questions.  Also, make sure you stay updated with new blog postings by selecting one of the methods located on the right menu bar.  Hope to hear from you ;)