| The role of diet is very important in | | | | and dairy products (some fats such as in |
| Crohn's disease and should be considered | | | | fish oil may be helpful), products |
| as an important add-on treatment to | | | | containing corn or gluten, those made |
| medical therapies. Although there is no | | | | from wheat, oats, barley, or triticale, |
| direct evidence that Crohn's disease is | | | | foods such as soy, eggs, peanuts, |
| caused by dietary factors, the food you | | | | tomatoes, gas-producing foods likw |
| eat can considerably affect the symptoms | | | | cabbage family vegetables (broccoli, |
| of the condition. | | | | cabbage, cauliflower and brussels |
| So what are the general dietary | | | | sprouts), dried peas and lentils, onions |
| guidelines for Crohn's disease? | | | | and chives, peppers and carbonated |
| Generally, the patient is advised to eat | | | | drinks, simple sugars, dried fruits and |
| a well-balanced diet, with adequate | | | | high-sugar fruits, such as grapes, |
| protein and calories. Diet may have to | | | | watermelon, or pineapple. |
| be restricted based on symptoms or | | | | Because Crohn's Disease affects the area |
| complications. | | | | of the intestines where a lot of the |
| General guidelines are - Eat a | | | | absorbtion of nutrients takes place, |
| well-balanced diet, drink plenty of | | | | taking supplements is usually advised. |
| fluids to offset losses from diarrhea, | | | | The greatest amount of digestion takes |
| if necessary take vitamin, mineral or | | | | place just beyond the stomach, in what |
| herbal supplements (before that consult | | | | we consider to be the workhorse of the |
| with your doctor), limit high-fiber | | | | digestive system, the small intestine. |
| foods (whole grains, raw vegetables and | | | | An inflamed intestine as in the case |
| fruits, beans and nuts), avoid specific | | | | with Crohn's Disease is not able to |
| foods that seem to make symptoms worse | | | | fully absorb and digest the nutrients |
| and limit dairy products. | | | | from food. As a result Crohn's Disease |
| Dietary guidelines for Crohn's disease | | | | sufferers are often unable to properly |
| vary depending on the severity of the | | | | digest and absorb carbohydrates, fats, |
| disease, location of the inflammation, | | | | proteins as well as many vitamins and |
| and symptoms. As crohns disease is | | | | minerals. |
| characterized by inflammation along the | | | | Unfortunately, there is no single |
| digestive tract it is often difficult | | | | effective Crohn's disease diet that will |
| for the body to absorb enough of the | | | | reduce symptoms for all patients. A |
| essential nutrients that it needs to | | | | Chron's disease diet may vary from |
| function well. In addition, people with | | | | individual to individual and may need to |
| Crohn's disease often experience a | | | | be changed, depending on symptoms or |
| decrease in appetite. Poor nutrition may | | | | complications. |
| also make it more difficult to recover | | | | Most dietitians with experience of |
| from flares of the disease. | | | | Crohn's disease will simply recommend a |
| During an acute phase of crohns disease, | | | | healthy balanced diet free of any foods |
| bulky foods, milk and milk products may | | | | that aggravate the symptoms. Choosing a |
| increase diarrhea and cramping. Crohn's | | | | proper diet for Chron's disease is |
| Disease patients should avoid the | | | | important. The identification of trigger |
| following foods and liquids: | | | | foods and the introduction of foods that |
| Dairy foods, high fiber foods, hot spicy | | | | help ease the symptoms is a slow but |
| foods, alcohol & caffeine, foods | | | | essential part of overcoming Chron's |
| containing saturated fats, found in meat | | | | disease. |