Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the digestive tract. It can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.

There is no cure for Crohn’s disease, but dietary measures can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for patients. In this article, we will discuss effective dietary measures for Crohn’s disease patients.

Low-Fiber Diet

A low-fiber diet can be beneficial for Crohn’s disease patients who are experiencing a flare-up. Fiber is difficult to digest and can irritate the digestive tract, causing diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Limiting fiber intake can help reduce inflammation and ease symptoms. Foods to avoid on a low-fiber diet include:.

Whole-grain breads and cereals
Nuts and seeds
Fruit and vegetable skins
Raw fruits and vegetables
Legumes

Low-Fat Diet

A low-fat diet can also be helpful for Crohn’s disease patients. High-fat foods can be difficult to digest and may worsen symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Patients should aim for a diet that is low in saturated and trans fats, and high in healthy fats like Omega-3s. Foods to avoid on a low-fat diet include:.

Fried foods
Fatty cuts of meat
Cream and butter
Full-fat dairy products
Sauces and dressings made with oil or cream

Protein-Rich Foods

Protein is an important nutrient for Crohn’s disease patients because it helps to repair and build tissues in the body. Patients should aim for a diet that is rich in lean sources of protein like chicken, fish, and tofu.

Other protein-rich foods that are easy to digest include:.

Eggs
Cottage cheese
Peanut butter
Smoothies made with protein powder

Calcium and Vitamin D

Crohn’s disease patients are at risk for developing osteoporosis because they may have difficulty absorbing calcium and vitamin D from their diet. Patients should aim for a diet that is rich in these nutrients or consider taking supplements.

Foods that are high in calcium include:.

Low-fat dairy products like milk and yogurt
Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale
Fortified breakfast cereals

Foods that are high in vitamin D include:.

Fatty fish like salmon and tuna
Egg yolks
Mushrooms
Fortified dairy products

Limiting Certain Foods

Some Crohn’s disease patients may find that certain foods trigger their symptoms. Keeping a food diary can help identify these trigger foods. Common trigger foods include:.

Spicy foods
Caffeine
Alcohol
Sugary foods and drinks
Dairy products (for patients who are lactose intolerant)

Hydration

Staying hydrated is important for Crohn’s disease patients because diarrhea can cause dehydration. Patients should aim to drink at least 8 cups of water per day, or more if they are experiencing diarrhea.

Other fluids that can help keep patients hydrated include:.

Sports drinks
Broth or bouillon
Fruit juice (diluted with water)
Caffeine-free teas

Small, Frequent Meals

Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day may be beneficial for Crohn’s disease patients. This can help reduce the strain on the digestive tract and make it easier to tolerate food.

Patients should aim to eat 5-6 small meals per day instead of 3 large meals.

Chew Food Well

Chewing food well can also help reduce the strain on the digestive tract. Patients should take their time and chew each bite of food thoroughly before swallowing. This can help prevent symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating.

Supplements

Some Crohn’s disease patients may benefit from taking supplements to help manage their symptoms. Consult with a healthcare provider before taking any supplements. Common supplements for Crohn’s disease patients include:.

Probiotics
Omega-3 supplements
Multivitamins
Iron supplements (for patients with anemia)

Conclusion

Crohn’s disease can be a challenging condition to manage, but dietary measures can be effective in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life for patients.

Patients should aim for a diet that is low in fiber and fat, high in protein and nutrients like calcium and vitamin D, and void of trigger foods. Staying hydrated, eating small, frequent meals, and chewing food well can also help manage symptoms. Patients may also benefit from taking supplements with the guidance of a healthcare provider.