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