Build-your-own sandwich options are a win for people with Crohn's, especially the turkey breast or tuna sub from Subway. “They're lean protein options, so they're less likely [than higher-fat proteins] to contribute to symptoms,” Leffler says.
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. Spread on smooth, creamy peanut or almond butter for extra protein.
Fast Food Is an Option
Sometimes, food that can be helpful to a Crohn's flare-up seems counterintuitive. A case in point: fast food. Some research indicates that during a flare-up, people do best with simple foods like white flour, white meat, and cooked potatoes. 4 Many fast food chains offer those in spades.
For many people with Crohn's, greasy foods will upset the digestive tract, so stay away from fatty cuts of meat like rib eye, pulled pork, beef brisket, fatty burgers, pork sausage, hot dogs, and bacon, advises the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Anything grilled, baked, or broiled is a great bet.
Cheese lovers with Crohn's disease have options. “Natural cheeses may contain some beneficial bacteria, so we don't want to demonize cheese or dairy. It can be really helpful for fighting diseases and a healthy part of the diet for someone with Crohn's disease,” Medlin says.
The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation recommends hummus for people with Crohn's disease on a low-fat diet. Snack on dark chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth, you may be happy to know that eating dark chocolate is recommended for Crohn's disease.
Build-your-own sandwich options are a win for people with Crohn's, especially the turkey breast or tuna sub from Subway. “They're lean protein options, so they're less likely [than higher-fat proteins] to contribute to symptoms,” Leffler says.
Corn chips (especially made in the oven rather than fried ones) are low in fiber and make a great snacking companion. If you can eat gluten, pretzels work well for this too!
High-fat foods
Stay away from foods that are high in fat, including fried foods and greasy foods. A baked or boiled potato is not the same as french fries, home fries, or hash browns to the Crohn's sufferer. Maintain a low-fat diet, and watch out for hidden fats in foods, especially processed, or convenience foods.
It may be a good idea to avoid lettuce, raw greens, and other high-fiber foods when experiencing a flare-up. If you do incorporate lettuce into your diet, do so after your flare has passed. Eat small amounts and closely monitor your IBD symptoms.
Eating certain foods can sometimes help relieve the symptoms of a Crohn's flare-up. Refined grains, low fiber fruits, lean proteins, and yogurt are some options. Crohn's disease is a lifelong condition that causes inflammation and irritation along parts of the digestive tract.
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.
Butter, margarine, heavy cream and fried foods are particularly important to avoid. You should also limit dairy, as many people with Crohn's disease find that their symptoms improve when they reduce or eliminate dairy from their diet.
Probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, aged cheeses, miso and real sourdough bread can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, something that is altered in Crohn's disease.
Ways of lowering the fibre in your diet: Choose low fibre cereals such as cornflakes or Rice Crispies® (rather than high fibre cereals such as Bran Flakes®, Shredded Wheat® and Weetabix®).
“A cookie can still be a reasonable Crohn's snack,” says Cepo. Opt for cookies made with healthier fats, like canola, grapeseed, or avocado oils instead of butter. Top choices are oatmeal, peanut butter cookies, and even Rice Krispies bars.
Proteins. Many protein sources are OK to eat during a flare-up, as long as a person cooks them so that they are tender and easy to cut with a fork. Examples of these foods include: eggs, cooked where the yolk is solid.
Use Caution With Lettuce
Almost all raw vegetables are best to be avoided during a flare-up. However, if you're craving a salad, iceberg lettuce is tolerated by many people if eaten in small quantities. Try a salad with iceberg lettuce, chicken, peeled and sliced cucumbers, and low-fat dressing without seeds.
Many people with Crohn's disease find that one or more of the foods on the following list aggravate symptoms during disease flares. It's possible that at least some of these listed foods will trigger your symptoms: Alcohol (mixed drinks, beer, wine) Butter, mayonnaise, margarine, oils.
Short answer: yes, if tolerated! Pizza is a food that can be categorized into the Western Diet, which research has linked to the increased prevalence of IBD. But pizza can feel like a slice of normalcy. There's a case to be made for enjoying pizza occasionally, if you tolerate it!
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.
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.
This brings us to your doctor linking your IBD diagnosis to excessive sugar consumption. A study using mice, which was published last fall in the journal Science Translational Medicine, found evidence that added sugar in the diet can lead to IBD, and also make existing disease worse.