What to eat when you have Crohn's disease

Hello Anonymous,

Welcome to EmpowHER.

There's no one diet for Crohn's disease. The particular diet your doctor recommends will depend on the type and severity of your symptoms.

Some common diets for Crohn's disease include:

High-calorie diet
Lactose-free diet
Low-fat diet
Low-fiber diet
Low-salt diet

Keeping a food journal in which you record how you feel after eating certain foods can help you to identify your own triggers.

The following strategies may help ease symptoms of Crohn's disease:

Eat smaller meals. Reduce meal size or try "grazing" throughout the day.
Drink small amounts of water. Do this often throughout the day.
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, beans, legumes and fruit and vegetable skins can cause diarrhea and bloating during flares.
You may have an easier time digesting cooked, pureed, and peeled fruits and vegetables.

Avoid fatty, greasy, or fried foods. Fatty foods can make symptoms worse, especially if you have inflammation in your small intestine.
Limit dairy products. Some people with Crohn's disease have problems digesting lactose, the sugar found in milk and other dairy products.
Limit caffeine intake. Caffeine in coffee, tea, or soda can stimulate the bowel and worsen flares.

Regards,
Maryann