Crohn’s Disease is a condition that can have an impact on the digestive process. One of the most difficult aspects of this disease is food. There are many foods that should be avoided because they cause stomach issues, and some foods that should be included in your diet to help heal it.
In this post, we will discuss what you shouldn’t eat with Crohn’s Disease so you can better manage your symptoms.
- Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, and lime. Citrus fruits can impact how the stomach processes food. They also increase inflammation in your digestive tract which means that you’re more likely to experience pain and discomfort after eating citrus fruit.
- Tomatoes are considered acidic so they should be avoided because it causes acid reflux or heartburn when eaten on an empty stomach with other foods that contain acids such as dairy products or fatty meats. These symptoms could worsen if you have a history of ulcerative colitis or colon cancer.
- Raw leafy vegetables are hard to digest because they contain high levels of fiber. You may experience gas and bloating if you consume too many raw veggies like lettuce or spinach every day, so try going for cooked versions instead such as fried greens.
- Do not eat any type of grains because the gluten in wheat products can cause inflammation that worsens symptoms including diarrhea. The reason for this is they can cause intestinal gas which in turn causes abdominal pain and diarrhea.
- It is important to avoid carbonated drinks since it causes air bubbles within the stomach which leads to abdominal pain. The same goes for caffeine: limit intake or drink decaffeinated beverages only.
- Dairy products should be limited to less than one cup per day because it decreases the absorption of nutrients.
- Processed foods should also be avoided: they are often processed with salt, sugar, preservatives or artificial ingredients such as monosodium glutamate (MSG). These substances trigger unpleasant reactions including bloating and gas due to their lack of fiber content.
If you have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease it may be helpful for you to consult a dietician who specializes in dietary management for IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease).
They will help guide you on what types of food should be avoided based on your diagnosis as well as provide nutritional guidance so that you do not experience malnutrition due to a restricted diet.
What are the best foods to eat with Crohn’s disease?
It’s hard to find the right foods to eat when you have Crohn’s disease. You might be wondering, what are the best foods for someone with Crohn’s? What can I eat that will help me feel better?
There are many things you can do to manage your symptoms and get relief from this chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Eating a healthy diet is one of them.
This blog post will list some of the best foods that will help manage the symptoms and pain associated with Crohn’s disease.
- Yogurt – It helps keep the digestive system in check through probiotics and contains calcium which can also be helpful for people who suffer from osteoporosis and other bone diseases as well as obesity.
- Apples – This fruit has a high water content so it is good for hydration, has vitamin C which helps the immune system and is a great source of fiber.
- Nuts – Nuts have fiber, fatty acids and provide us with natural oils that can also help to lessen inflammation in your intestines due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
- Fruits & Vegetables: fruits and vegetables contain insoluble fibers that keep things moving through the digestive tract; dairy provides protein (important for Crohns patients); nuts provide nutrients like fats/oils that reduce inflammation of your intestines. Fruits such as Banana are very helpful since it contain fiber, potassium, and pectin which all help with digestion.
- Beans – Beans are high in insoluble fiber which helps things move through the digestive tract.
- Fish – Fish is an excellent source of omega three fatty acids that can reduce inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease. Fish has been shown to be helpful by reducing gut inflammation due to it containing Omega-three fats/oils.
- Lean Meats & Chicken: Protein from these sources will maintain lean body mass and assist those who suffer from crohns due to their need for protein intake.
Foods listed above would be recommended to eat if you have this condition because they will all make it easier for your digestion by keeping everything running smoothly in your stomach and intestines.
This can allow people to enjoy their favorite food items again without having any adverse reactions such as pain or diarrhea occurring after eating them due to their dietary restrictions from Crohn’s Disease.