What foods should you eat, and what should you avoid if you're living with Crohn's Disease?

Answer 1

I was diagnosed with Crohn's in '98 and figuring out what you can and can't eat is all by trial and error. Fried foods have never really worked well for me except I can eat eggs that are fried - actually I can tolerate eggs cooked any way when I have a flare. But most people will tell you to stay away from lettuce, popcorn, etc. Those don't really bother me but I can't eat bananas. Weird! It is different with everyone. I seem to be able to tolerate most fruits and veggies although meats aren't quite as nice to my stomach. My most tolerated foods are rice and pasta - without a lot of additives. I definately can't eat anything very spicy although I love peppers.

Answer 2

There is no evidence that diet causes or cures Crohn's disease, but many people with Crohn's disease note that certain foods improve or worsen their symptoms. Fish oil has been found to be effective in reducing the chance of relapse in less severe cases. People with lactose intolerance due to small bowel disease may benefit from avoiding lactose-containing foods. Many diets have been proposed for treatment of Crohn's disease, and many do improve symptoms, but none have been proven to actually cure Crohn's disease. A low residue diet may be used to reduce the volume of stools excreted daily. Stress can make symptoms of Crohn's disease worse. People with Crohn's disease can find that their symptoms improve with effective stress management.

Because the terminal ileum is the most common site of involvement and is the site for vitamin B12 absorption, people with Crohn's disease are at risk for B12 deficiency and may need supplementation. In cases with extensive small intestine involvement, the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K can be deficient. Folate deficiency is a risk when being treated with methotrexate.

Answer 3

Being that I also have "Crohn's Disease" I can speak accurately. Avoid hard to digest foods like lettuce or any leafy vegetables.Also avoid fresh fruits and raw vegetables.Now for the Jekyll/Hyde nature of "Crohn's Disease" after you have a flare up foods that you could eat without causing problems now cause problems and foods that caused problems before the flare up now do not cause problems.And after your next flare up it all changes again and will continue to do so every time you have a flare up.From my years of experience as mine came out when I was 13 years old and preparing for my bar mitzvah and has required dozens of hospitalizations due to violent flare ups and a bowel resection to remove a 12 inch section of diseased,rotted colon.I have been in remission for the past three years on maintenance medicine and another thing to watch out for "Crohn's Disease" can cause a calcium problem in your kidneys causing kidney stones.Another thing avoid heavy drinking of alcohol as it can cause your "Crohn's Disease" to flare up violently

Answer 4

You should avoid fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine, smoking and avoid high-fiber foods. See http://www.remicade.com/crohns for good explanation--just have it be known that this site is run by a drug company that produces remicade--a med often used in Crohns

Answer 5

I live with chrons & colitis. I've been to 3 specialist in 2 states.1 Dr. told me to trial & error eat what you can tolerate. I know that for me fried foods bananas green peppers or sweet) make me suffer. If you eat canned fruit you tolerate it better than the fresh. Dieticians reccomend only 1/2 cup of fruit & veg. per day for those with Chrons.

Answer 6

the doctor has brochures on chrones disease and they will tell you what to eat and what not to eat

Answer 7

you should probably avoid fried foods.