13 Healthy Recipes for Crohn's Disease - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the best meal for someone with Crohn's? ›

Older evidence suggests that prebiotics and probiotics, which include fermented foods, may be beneficial for Crohn's disease. The following meals include prebiotic and probiotic food sources: Breakfast: Greek yogurt with cooked oats, mashed banana or applesauce, and walnut butter.

Nuts and seeds

Their sharp edges can be irritating to the lining of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. “But people often tolerate ground nuts or seeds,” Weekley notes, so consider giving smooth peanut butter, almond butter or sesame tahini a try.

Crohn's Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED)

CDED excludes wheat, dairy, animal fat, additives, processed foods, and red meat. It includes readily available foods such as fruits, vegetables, rice, potatoes, lean meats, and eggs.

Eggs are a source of protein and appear to be well-tolerated by most individuals with Crohn's disease.

Fruits and vegetables

If raw fruits make your flare-ups worse, try applesauce and bananas. Both are good for you and can fulfill a craving for sweets. In addition to these, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation recommends raspberries, squashes, green beans, and cooked and blended fruits and vegetables.

Raw or unpeeled veggies aren't a good choice. Whether you're using them for dip or in a salad, these tough, fiber-rich plant foods can make you poop even more. They could make a Crohn's flare feel worse. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage can also cause gas.

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.

Because foods such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, and other nuts, along with seeds, are difficult for your body to break down, they can irritate the digestive tract and cause symptoms in people with Crohn's.

What is the best bread for Crohn's disease? ›

Avoid brown rice, wild rice, or rice pilaf. Use sourdough bread for toast or, if you don't eat gluten, look for white bread style gluten-free loaves. Hot cereals, such as Cream of Wheat, may work well.

The average life expectancy for females is 78.4 years and for males, it is 75.5 years. However, other studies suggest that Crohn's life expectancy is the same for people with the disease and without it. This mainly accounts for lifestyle modification and dietary changes.

Grains give us carbs and energy, and while the healthier option is usually whole grains, but high fiber foods aren't an excellent choice for Crohn's disease diets. Instead, supplement with white bread, white rice, and pasta. These choices have “low-residue” meaning there's less “scrap” to irritate the bowels.

“It's all about helping people feel better through food,” says Lippman. When Lippman isn't working, there's a good chance he's cooking. There are still foods he avoids to keep his Crohn's in check, including popcorn, beef, tomatoes, alcohol, and, yes, pizza.

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.