Crohn’s disease is a condition many suffer from and do their best to avoid a flare-up, which often means changes to their diet. Similar to other colorectal conditions, your favorite foods might have to change, and you begin to discover foods to avoid when you have Crohn’s disease in the hopes of not disrupting their condition.
Crohn’s disease is a bowel disease causing inflammation in your digestive tract. The flare-up causes weight loss, severe diarrhea, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Due to the symptoms of Crohn’s disease, it is crucial for those with the condition to adjust their diets and be aware of foods affecting Crohn’s disease so it won’t cause them more pain in the long run.
5 Foods to Avoid When You Have Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is quite possibly one of the most painful disorders to endure. The condition inflames the bowels, producing stomach pains, gas, and diarrhea. Patients often have difficulty absorbing all the nutrients from their food, leaving them hungry and unable to eat several foods without terrible cramping. Perhaps the worst part of Crohn’s disease is that there’s no definitive cure, and every Crohn’s patient is different with the foods they can and cannot tolerate.
However, some foods are more likely than others to cause flare ups. If you have Crohn’s, you may want to try an elimination diet and make a note of each food that causes you discomfort.
Your doctor will most likely recommend vitamins and supplements to help you combat malnutrition and make up for what your body can’t absorb from food. Calcium, multivitamins with minerals, B12, and D are all excellent choices for Crohn’s disease diets.
Foods high in fiber
Avoid foods high in fiber, such as broccoli, cauliflower, corn and the skins of any fruit or veggies like apples and cucumbers. Instead, try cooked vegetables and fruits. Applesauce and green juices can help you get the nutrients you need without the fibrous content that can linger in your colon and irritate your Crohn’s. Do you still want the occasional salad? Try butter lettuce. It’s more easily digestible.
High fats
Fried foods, butter, oils, and red meat are probably crossed off on your Crohn’s disease diet. Supplement your diet with low-fat foods and dairy alternatives.
- Eggs
- Fish, lean ground beef, ground turkey
- Tofu
- Creamy peanut butter and other nut butter
- Almond milk, low-fat yogurt, and cheese substitutes
One of the best fatty things you can eat? Avocados. They’re full of vitamins and healthy fats and have soluble fiber, which is more friendly on your digestive tract.
Gas or diarrhea producing foods and drinks
Sodas or other carbonated beverages increase gas, as do foods like beans (and most other legumes), cabbage and onions. Different things cause diarrhea like coffee, tea, and chocolate because they contain caffeine. Alcohol will likely have the same outcome, so avoid beers, liquors, and wine.
It’s best to stick to plain water, though you could try flavoring it with essential oils or fruits like lemon, lime, cucumber or other fruit.
Whole grains
Grains give us carbs and energy, and while the healthier option is usually whole grains, but high fiber foods aren’t an excellent choice for Crohn’s disease diets. Instead, supplement with white bread, white rice, and pasta. These choices have “low-residue” meaning there’s less “scrap” to irritate the bowels.
Many people also do well with oatmeal, which soaks up water and passes through your colon slowly, minimizing diarrhea. These carb solutions can boost your calorie intake when you’re in need of a calming food to fill you up. But, make sure you’re still getting in your proteins and cooked veggies for nutritional value.
Nuts and seeds
If you are a fan of nuts, Crohn’s disease will come between this love, as they are another food to avoid this condition. The high protein in nuts causes flare-ups in those with the disease and are often hard to digest.
Foods with seeds, like strawberries, are also on the list to swap out in your diet. Even the tiniest seeds disrupt in your digestive tract.
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FAQs
Which Foods Should I Avoid With a Crohn's Disease Diet Plan?
- Alcohol (mixed drinks, beer, wine)
- Butter, mayonnaise, margarine, oils.
- Carbonated beverages.
- Coffee, tea, chocolate.
- Corn.
- Dairy products (if lactose intolerant)
- Fatty foods (fried foods)
- Foods high in fiber.
Foods to increase in your diet include:
Fruits: bananas, raspberries, applesauce, blended fruit. Vegetables: squashes, fork-tender cooked carrots, green beans. Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids: fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, etc.), walnut butter, chia seeds, flaxseed oil, flaxseed meal.
Is ice cream ok with Crohn's disease? ›
Contrary to popular belief, many people with Crohn's can actually consume dairy products without grief, Weekley clarifies. But when you have symptoms, whole-fat dairy products (like whole milk, ice cream and sour cream) can be a problem, so step away from the fettuccini alfredo.
Are bananas good for Crohn's disease? ›
Fruits and vegetables
If raw fruits make your flare-ups worse, try applesauce and bananas. Both are good for you and can fulfill a craving for sweets. In addition to these, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation recommends raspberries, squashes, green beans, and cooked and blended fruits and vegetables.
What are the 10 worst foods for inflammation? ›
Inflammatory Foods
- Red meat, such as steak and hamburgers.
- Processed meat, such as bologna, bacon, sausage and lunchmeat.
- Commercial baked goods such as snack cakes, pies, cookies and brownies.
- Bread and pasta made with white flour.
- Deep fried items such as French fries, fried chicken and donuts.
For that reason, maintaining adequate protein intake is crucial to help your body bounce back. Fatty meats such as high fat red meat, fried meats, oily/greasy proteins may worsen symptoms during active disease. Instead, stock up on skinless, white-meat chicken or turkey; eggs; fish; and tofu.
Is peanut butter good for Crohn's disease? ›
Having lots of different nut butters, such as smooth peanut butter or smooth mixed nut butters, is a really great way of incorporating nuts if people with Crohn's disease find the amount of fiber in nuts is too aggravating,” says Sophie Medlin, RD, a consultant dietitian at City Dietitians and chair for the British ...
Are potatoes bad for Crohn's? ›
Potatoes. These starchy veggies can be a lifesaver during a Crohn's flare-up. Just be sure you avoid potato skins, as they are high in fiber and may cause digestive distress. Bake or roast white or sweet potatoes and scoop out the middle for a simple, delicious meal that won't leave you feeling under the weather.
Can you eat salad with Crohn's disease? ›
Raw or unpeeled veggies aren't a good choice. Whether you're using them for dip or in a salad, these tough, fiber-rich plant foods can make you poop even more. They could make a Crohn's flare feel worse. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage can also cause gas.
Can you eat pizza with Crohn's? ›
“It's all about helping people feel better through food,” says Lippman. When Lippman isn't working, there's a good chance he's cooking. There are still foods he avoids to keep his Crohn's in check, including popcorn, beef, tomatoes, alcohol, and, yes, pizza.
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Grains give us carbs and energy, and while the healthier option is usually whole grains, but high fiber foods aren't an excellent choice for Crohn's disease diets. Instead, supplement with white bread, white rice, and pasta. These choices have “low-residue” meaning there's less “scrap” to irritate the bowels.
What foods calm Crohn's disease? ›
Best foods for a Crohn's disease flare-up. Eating certain foods can sometimes help relieve the symptoms of a Crohn's flare-up. Options include refined grains, low fiber fruits, lean proteins, and yogurt.
Is bacon bad for Crohn's? ›
For many people with Crohn's, greasy foods will upset the digestive tract, so stay away from fatty cuts of meat like rib eye, pulled pork, beef brisket, fatty burgers, pork sausage, hot dogs, and bacon, advises the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Anything grilled, baked, or broiled is a great bet.
What drinks are good for Crohn's? ›
Water Is the Most Hydrating
It may not sound exciting, but the best hydration when you're managing Crohn's disease is H2O. There's no other beverage that will work harder to help you overcome the negative effects of Crohn's symptoms, experts say. This is especially true when diarrhea strikes and you become dehydrated.
What worsens Crohn's? ›
People with Crohn's disease experience increased periods of symptoms called flare-ups. Certain factors may trigger a flare-up, such as smoking, missing a dose of medication, or taking certain medications, such as NSAIDs. When flare-ups occur, a person may need additional treatments to help manage them.
Is cheese bad for Crohn's? ›
Foods such as milk, cheese, and butter can exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms because they contain lactose, the naturally occurring sugar in dairy foods, notes the Cleveland Clinic. You're more likely to have difficulty with dairy when you have Crohn's disease that involves the small intestine.
