Crohn’s Disease Diet and Nutrition |
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Staying healthy can be a constant struggle for Crohn’s patients, but it is essential to stay as healthy as one can during remissions so that when a flare-up hits, the body is ready for the fight. The best way to stay strong is to maintain a healthy way of life through a Crohn’s-centered diet and exercise.
What to Eat
Since maintaining body weight and the correct nutritional levels requires so much effort studies have been done to determine which foods are most appropriate for sufferers of Crohn’s and IBD. They have determined that the most important foods fall into six categories:
- Protein – Sticking to lean meats, eggs, and soy will provide a wealth of protein without having to worry about the negative side-affects that red meats and milk products can leave behind.
- Complex Carbohydrates – Though difficult to digest during a flare-up, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are essential to staying healthy. During remissions, complex carbohydrates should make up half of the food consumed.
- Non-caffeinated fluids – Everyone should drink eight-eight ounce glasses of water a day, but for Crohn’s patients that takes on a new meaning. Staying fully hydrated helps prevent flare-ups, and will aid in lessening inflammation already present.
- Potassium rich foods – Because diarrhea can be severe during a flare-up, potassium-rich foods like bananas, potatoes, and avocadoes should be mandatory. Potassium levels out the electrolytes in the body, which severe dehydration or diarrhea can throw out of whack. Drinking potassium drinks like Gatorade® are also a good way to return the body to balance.
- Liquid supplements – Nutritional supplements can be a wonderful gift to Crohn’s patients during a flare-up, or just to get additional vitamins throughout the day every day. Because they are absorbed in the upper intestinal tract, they are often the easiest way to get the necessary nutrients without causing undue pain. Most of these supplements are tasty and easy to find, as well.
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Not only do these foods provide the necessary nutrients, but most of them are also easy on the intestines, a big selling point for most Crohn’s patients. However, there are foods that may not be so gentle during digestion.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods cause a higher risk of irritation, which can lead to a flare-up under the right circumstances. It is suggested that the following foods be avoided:
- Saturated fats – These tend to be the more solid forms of fat, such as lard, butter, and shortening.
- Milk products – Lactose is extremely difficult to digest for many people, and nearly impossible for many Crohn’s patients. Additionally, it is one of the most common food allergens for IBD sufferers.
- Alcohol and caffeine – Known to be associated with inflammation and dehydration, it is best to avoid them at all times, and not just during a flare-up.
- Simple sugars – Found in watery fruits like watermelon and grapes, these sugars can irritate the lining of the intestines as well as cause inflammation.
- High-fiber foods – Dried fruits, legumes, and brassica vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, etc.) irritate the intestines and can cause gassy cramps for Crohn’s patients.
- Gluten products – More and more people are finding that their bodies can’t tolerate the processed sugars of wheat, oats, barley or triticale. Because of this, it is suggested that one determines his or her personal toleration level before including it as a regular feature to their diet.
This list is fairly fluid depending on a patient’s personal food allergies and tolerance levels.
A Personal Approach
It isn’t difficult to figure out what foods are a personal hot-button, however it does involve some patience. The following suggestions will help in determining which foods are best left alone, and which are perfectly safe:
- First, during a remission, remove all “dangerous” foods from your diet. Stay on a bland, safe menu for two weeks to allow the other foods to leave your system.
- Second, add one new type of food to your menu at a time, allowing a week per food to decide if it is an irritation to your system.
- As you find your personal irritants, keep a list. Post it in the kitchen for easy access when grocery shopping, and when reaching for a snack.
- Go through the process again during a flare-up to determine which of your “safe” foods aren’t so safe when you’re already in pain.
All of these suggestions are merely that, suggestions. Crohn’s patients should visit with a nutritional counselor to decide what foods are beneficial to them, where their diet is deficient, and how that can be corrected.
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