The foods best to incorporate into a Crohn disease diet include lean protein (e.g., fish, poultry, soy, eggs, nuts, tofu) and non-cruciferous vegetables (e.g., asparagus tips, cucumbers, potatoes, and squash).
Cooked vegetables: People with ulcerative colitis may tolerate noncruciferous cooked vegetables without the skin. These include cucumbers, squash, and asparagus tips.
High-fiber fruits and vegetables
And avoid fruits and vegetables with skins and seeds intact. Many people find that bananas or canned pears are gentler than an apple or bowl of raspberries, for instance. Also steer clear of gassy veggies like broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.
Foods to increase in your diet include:
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.
Iceberg and butter lettuce — These soft, light green lettuces are considered safe in small amounts for most people with Crohn's. They are low in fiber and high in water content. When you are in remission, slowly introduce butter lettuce or other soft greens into your diet for valuable nutrition.
Lisa Simon, RD, a registered dietitian in London, says there's a wide variety of healthy fats and we should encourage more people with Crohn's disease to eat foods such as avocados, nuts and seeds (unless your doctor says to be careful with these because of strictures), tahini, and extra-virgin olive oil.
Eating certain foods can sometimes help relieve the symptoms of a Crohn's flare-up. Refined grains, low fiber fruits, lean proteins, and yogurt are some options.
Carrots are nutrient-rich and contain Crohn's-fighting antioxidants. Plus, tender cooked carrots are much easier to digest than raw vegetables. Avoid the fiber-packed skins, but enjoy the potassium-rich, soft insides of potatoes to help your body keep its fluids balanced.
Peeling fruit can help remove some of the added fiber that stimulates the bowels during a Crohn's flare-up. Other fruit that people can eat during a flare-up include: canned fruit, except for cherries or berries. peeled apples or applesauce.
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, foods high in fiber and fat, dairy products, and carbonated beverages such as soda can trigger a flare-up. The best option is to stick to fresh fruits and vegetables, along with lean meats, says Dr. Sultan.
Do: White Bread. Toasted bread or a bagel made with refined white flour are good for breakfast or as a sandwich base. Look for brands with 2 grams of fiber or less per serving. Low-fiber grains are easier to digest when you have 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.
Cucumbers are anti-inflammatory
'When it comes to the anti-inflammatory properties of cucumbers, most of these come from the phytonutrients that are found within them,' says Twist. 'Flavonoids and triterpenes are known to combat the oxidative stress that causes inflammation.
Cucumbers are high in water and promote hydration. Staying hydrated can improve stool consistency, prevent constipation and help maintain regularity (16). Moreover, cucumbers contain fibre, which helps regulate bowel movements.
As a food, cucumbers offer superior hydration, as they are about 95% water. They have been used for decades for their anti-inflammatory benefits on skin, soothing properties for digestion, and other therapeutic uses.
Berries Yezaz Ghouri, MD, a gastroenterologist at the University of Missouri Health Care in Columbia, recommends fruits such as strawberries and blueberries because they're easily digestible for people with Crohn's disease. They also exhibit antioxidant activity, which protects your cells against damage.
She recommends lactose-free cow's milk as the best nutritional choice for most people with lactose intolerance: “It provides 8 grams of protein and 300 milligrams of calcium per cup.” Goat's milk has slightly less lactose than cow's milk and some people find they tolerate it better.
Stacking research has shown that complementary, nonpharmacological therapies including yoga, mindfulness, biofeedback, and diet changes can be used in tandem with medication to help reduce stress and calm Crohn's symptoms.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are often the first step in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. They include: Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids such as prednisone and budesonide (Entocort EC) can help reduce inflammation in your body, but they don't work for everyone with Crohn's disease.
Foods to Avoid If You Have Crohn's Disease
The Crohns and Colitis Foundation recommends avoiding the following foods when you're in a flare: Fruits with skin and seeds. Raw green vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or vegetables with a peel.
Honey is one of the longest-used natural therapies and may have a place in managing Crohn's disease. Its phenolic compounds have been shown to reduce inflammation for several different diseases with inflammatory pathogenesis.
Avoid high-fiber foods.
Fiber is essential to healthy digestion, but some people with Crohn's disease find that high-fiber foods, such as whole-wheat pasta or bread, and beans and other legumes, like chickpeas and lentils, can cause diarrhea and bloating during flares.