Best Grains and Starches for Crohn's Disease When you're in remission, experts recommend eating a variety of grains and starches, including: Beans. Whole grains like oats, quinoa, and brown rice. Starchy vegetables like potatoes and butternut squash.
Is oatmeal safe for Crohn's disease? Yes, oatmeal is a safe food for most people with Crohn's disease in remission, during a flare, and with active disease. Oats and oatmeal are a great source of soluble fiber making them well tolerated by most people with Crohn's disease.
Because we recognize the importance of soluble fiber, we allow steel-cut and rolled oats on the diet (SCD does not allow grains of any kind). Finally, IBD-AID also recommends certain types of proteins— lean meats, beans, and soy products (tofu)—which are lower in saturated fat.
Choose low fibre cereals such as cornflakes or Rice Crispies® (rather than high fibre cereals such as Bran Flakes®, Shredded Wheat® and Weetabix®). Choose white bread instead of granary or brown bread. Peel fruit before eating or have tinned or stewed fruit instead.
Certain grains: Gluten-free oatmeal and brown rice are usually well-received by people with IBS and provide soluble fiber, which helps regulate bowel movements.
Although there's no firm evidence that any particular foods cause Crohn's disease, certain things seem to aggravate flare-ups. So a food diary can help you identify personal triggers. Beyond that, limit dairy products, eating smaller meals, stay hydrated, and try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonation.
While people should avoid raw fruits when they have a flare-up, they can eat ripe bananas, melons, and apples with the skin removed.
Toasted bread or a bagel made with refined white flour are good for breakfast or as a sandwich base. Look for brands with 2 grams of fiber or less per serving. Low-fiber grains are easier to digest when you have Crohn's.
Lisa Simon, RD, a registered dietitian in London, says there's a wide variety of healthy fats and we should encourage more people with Crohn's disease to eat foods such as avocados, nuts and seeds (unless your doctor says to be careful with these because of strictures), tahini, and extra-virgin olive oil.
Potatoes. These starchy veggies can be a lifesaver during a Crohn's flare-up. Just be sure you avoid potato skins, as they are high in fiber and may cause digestive distress. Bake or roast white or sweet potatoes and scoop out the middle for a simple, delicious meal that won't leave you feeling under the weather.
Berries Yezaz Ghouri, MD, a gastroenterologist at the University of Missouri Health Care in Columbia, recommends fruits such as strawberries and blueberries because they're easily digestible for people with Crohn's disease. They also exhibit antioxidant activity, which protects your cells against damage.
Calming techniques like deep breathing or meditation may help you relax. Make sure you get enough exercise and sleep, too. And set limits on how much you take on. That way, you won't have too much to do when a flare hits and you don't feel well.
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 or bread, and beans and other legumes, like chickpeas and lentils, can cause diarrhea and bloating during flares.
So much so, that a study in the February 2021 Inflammatory Bowel Diseases found that coffee had little to no association with Crohn's disease, though even those results were inconsistent. In either case, the high amount of caffeine in coffee can aggravate certain unpleasant Crohn's symptoms.
Sourdough bread is typically made of flour, water, and salt. It often involves a long fermentation process, which can make it much easier to digest. This may make it especially beneficial for people living with IBD.
Bottom Line. Oats can trigger irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. But you can still include them in your diet in small quantities to gain the multiple health benefits without the symptoms.
Oats can cause gas and bloating. To minimize side effects, start with a low dose and increase slowly to the desired amount. Your body will get used to oat bran and the side effects will likely go away.
If you have a food sensitivity to either oats or grains/gluten, you may not tolerate oats well. Your body may heighten the immune system response causing low-grade chronic inflammation. In that case, yes, oats are inflammatory.