Paying close attention to diet can help reduce the number and severity of flare-ups for many sufferers. Patients are encouraged to follow a nutritious diet and limit any foods that seem to worsen symptoms. Individual reactions vary. Some foods commonly avoided by Crohn's patients are:
Dairy foods.
Some people are lactose intolerant (unable to digest the sugar lactose, found in milk products). Taking lactase tablets or specially prepared dairy products may help. Note: Many lactose-intolerant patients are still able to eat yogurt with active cultures, which may even be helpful
Foods high in fiber, but because a high-fiber diet has other benefits, this might be considered only during flare-ups.
Foods associated with inflammation (alcohol, hot spices, and caffeine).
Saturated fats, found in meat and dairy products. However some fats such as in fish oil may actually be helpful.
Products containing corn or gluten (those made from wheat, oats, barley, or triticale).
Common allergenic foods, such as soy, eggs, peanuts, tomatoes.
Gas-producing foods such as cabbage family vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts), dried peas and lentils, onions and chives, peppers and carbonated drinks
Foods that may irritate the intestine (particularly the cabbage family vegetables).
Simple sugars,
Dried fruits or high-sugar fruits, such as grapes, watermelon, or pineapple.
Sorbitol (a type of sweetener)
And some foods may also be beneficial:
Fluids to keep the body hydrated and prevent constipation
Fruits may be protective
A high protein diet with lean meats
Other advice:
Trying small frequent meals may also help.
There have also been some suggestions that prebiotics such as psyllium may help in the healing process. Furthermore, probiotics (live culture) may also be helpful in aiding recovery of the intestines.
People With Crohn's Speak Out About Diets
Diet changes? I've suffered Chrohn's since I was a teenager, and as far as I can tell diet makes absolutely no difference to my symptoms. I'm told my experience is reasonably typical in that sense (though people who've had surgery are often a little restricted in what they can eat). --Robert Merkel 12:22 Jan 24, 2003 (UTC)
Hmm. You mean to tell me you can eat lots and lots of fiber and roughage, including things like corn on the cob, broccoli, mushrooms, etc. without a worsening of symptoms? I think that would be pretty atypical. Chadloder 12:24 Jan 24, 2003 (UTC)
My symptoms get worse with some foods, but I don't always care. Some things are worth it :).
Aren't Asacol and Pentasa different brand names for the same stuff? I remember, back when Asacol was somewhat efficacious, being curious as to why Pentasa made me throw up and Asacol didn't when according to the labels on the bottles they're both mesalamine. --Calieber 20:12, 29 Sep 2003 (UTC
