Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects millions of people worldwide, with symptoms ranging from stomach pain, diarrhea, and fatigue to more severe complications such as ulcers and intestinal blockages. While there is no known cure for Crohn’s disease, diet and lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Registered dietitians and naturopathic doctors have seen firsthand the impact of dietary choices on Crohn’s disease management. In this guide, we will discuss the foods to avoid with Crohn’s disease and why they should be avoided.
High-Fibre Foods
One of the main culprits of Crohn’s disease symptoms is high-fibre foods such as whole grains, nuts, seeds, and raw vegetables. Fibre is essential for a healthy digestive system, but too much of it can irritate the inflamed bowel and cause pain, bloating, and diarrhea. We recommend avoiding or limiting high-fibre foods until the symptoms subside. Instead, opt for low-fibre foods such as well-cooked vegetables and fruits without peels or seeds, white bread, and rice.
Spicy Foods
If you enjoy spicy foods, you may want to rethink your choices if you have Crohn’s disease. Spicy foods like hot peppers and chili powder can trigger inflammation in the gut and worsen symptoms like stomach pain and diarrhea. We advise avoiding spicy foods altogether or limiting them significantly. Instead, try flavoring your food with herbs like oregano, basil, or mint.
Dairy Products
Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt can be tough to digest for people with Crohn’s disease, primarily if lactose intolerant. Lactose is a sugar found in milk that splits up into glucose and galactose, and they are absorbed in the small intestine. If the intestine’s ability to digest lactose is compromised, it stays in the intestine’s lumen, leading to diarrhea and stomach pain. If you notice any dairy products worsening your symptoms, consider opting for lactose-free alternatives or nondairy options such as almond or soy milk for your Crohn’s disease diet.
Fried and Fatty Foods
Fried and fatty foods such as fried chicken, french fries, and potato chips are high in saturated fats and calories, which can trigger inflammation in the gut, leading to Crohn’s disease symptoms. Limiting or avoiding these types of foods is crucial in Crohn’s disease management. Instead, try cooking your meals with healthy fats like olive oil or avocado, and choose baked or grilled options over fried.
Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners
High-sugar foods such as candy, soda, and desserts can increase inflammation in the gut, leading to Crohn’s disease flare-ups. Artificial sweeteners like sorbitol, xylitol, and aspartame can also be challenging to digest and may cause stomach pain and diarrhea. We recommend avoiding or limiting high-sugar foods and drinks, and choosing natural sweeteners like Stevia or honey.
Eat More Soluble Foods
Quite simply, soluble fibre is “soluble in water,” which means it has a great capacity for absorbing water in the GI tract. Soluble fibre develops a gel-like consistency as it moves through the gut. This is beneficial because the absorption of water helps to slow the passage of stool, resulting in increased absorption of nutrients and a lessening of diarrhea. Therefore, it is important to stay hydrated when you have Crohn’s disease. Pectins and gums are two examples of soluble fibres with tremendous water-holding capacity. Foods that contain soluble fibre include oatmeal, avocado and butternut squash (Crohn’s and Colitis Canada).
In conclusion, managing Crohn’s disease symptoms through dietary changes is critical. Avoiding high-fibre foods, spicy foods, dairy products, fried and fatty foods, sugar, and artificial sweeteners can help improve symptoms and overall health. It is advised to work closely with a registered dietitian or naturopath to tailor a diet plan according to individual needs and preferences. We hope that this guide has given you some insight into the foods to avoid with Crohn’s disease and the reasons why they should be avoided.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with a Kitchener dietitian at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
