The Best and Worst Foods

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation in the digestive system that can lead to stomach pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and other symptoms.

These challenging symptoms can come and go in flare cycles. Your diet can be key in managing symptoms and avoiding long-term health effects like malnutrition.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all Crohn’s disease diet, but eating specific foods and avoiding others may help you prevent flares.

Some foods may help you manage symptoms by lowering inflammation, supporting healthy gut bacteria levels, and improving digestion.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are essential in a Crohn’s disease diet.

They can be excellent sources of fiber, including soluble fiber. Your intestines can digest this type of fiber more easily than the other type, called insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber intake can help with digestion and help maintain the balance of good bacteria in your gut.

In one study, people in remission (a symptom-free period) from Crohn’s disease who ate more fiber were half as likely to have a flare in the following six months than those who ate less fiber.

To make fruits and veggies easier to digest, you can peel them or cook them down by sautéing, boiling, or steaming them. Cooking helps soften their fiber, making them gentler on the stomach while still providing important nutrients.

Easy-to-digest fruits and veggies include:

• Boiled carrots
• Peeled apples
• Peeled and boiled potatoes
• Spinach
• Peeled pears
• Boiled peas

Grains

Grains can offer many potential health benefits, but some grains may be better than others when it comes to Crohn’s disease. For example, a recent study found that consuming whole-grain bread daily can help reduce the risk of Crohn’s disease.

Examples of whole grains include:

• Whole-grain bread
• Brown rice
• Whole-grain cereals
• Oatmeal
• Whole-wheat pasta

There are no standardized recommendations for whole-grain consumption with Crohn’s disease. Wheat and other whole-grain products may trigger gastrointestinal symptoms in some people. If whole grains cause you discomfort, refined grains may be a gentler option.

Refined grains include:

• White pasta
• White rice
• White bread or potato bread

Lean Proteins 

Research suggests that protein is an important component of IBD management. It may help repair damaged tissue and decrease inflammation that contributes to your symptoms.

Lean proteins provide essential nutrients and may pass through your digestive tract more easily than higher-fat options. Examples of nutrient-dense protein sources include:

• Chicken
• Fish
• Turkey
• Tofu
• Eggs

Healthy Fats

Fats can be challenging for your body to break down, which may put strain on your digestive tract. However, your body needs some fat to function, so it’s important not to eliminate fat completely. People with Crohn’s disease can be strategic with their intake by eating healthy fats rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids have strong anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce swelling and irritation in the digestive tract. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help you manage Crohn’s disease symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

Examples of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Salmon
• Tuna
• Flaxseeds
• Chia seeds
• Walnuts

Some foods tend to trigger or contribute to gut inflammation, which may worsen your symptoms. The following are generally considered some of the least helpful foods for Crohn’s disease.

Foods With Insoluble Fiber

Foods with insoluble fiber can be more difficult to digest for some people with Crohn’s disease. Insoluble fiber may also contribute to bloating and gas.

Foods with insoluble fiber include:

• Cashews
• Mango
• Apples with the skin
• Swiss chard
• Spinach
• Beets
• Whole grains

High-Fat Foods

Foods high in saturated or trans fats—such as fried foods, fast food, and fatty cuts of meat—can worsen symptoms in some people. High-fat diets have been linked to inflammation in the gut. Dietary fat can be difficult to digest and may cause more irritation and pain. It may also slow down digestion and contribute to uncomfortable bloating.

Examples of high-fat foods include:

• Hot dogs
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Butter
• Whole milk
• Coconut oil
• High-fat cheeses

Dairy Products

Milk intolerance affects many people with Crohn’s disease. You may have trouble digesting lactose (the sugar found in milk), causing further bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.

Examples of dairy products that may be difficult to digest include:

• Regular milk
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Sour cream
• Ice cream
• Butter

If traditional dairy bothers you, several alternatives exist, including almond milk, soy milk, and lactose-free products. Many of them are fortified with nutrients like calcium and protein to mimic the nutritional profile of regular cow’s milk.

Beverages

Alcohol, carbonated beverages, and sugary drinks may cause discomfort.

Research shows that drinking alcohol can cause diarrhea and interfere with nutrient absorption. It may also interact with your medications, making them less effective in controlling your symptoms.

Carbonation may worsen gas and bloating, while drinks loaded with sugar, such as sodas, fruit juices, and some sports drinks, can make diarrhea worse.

Trigger Foods

The ideal diet for Crohn’s disease is one that avoids your trigger foods (foods that can worsen symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, gas, and diarrhea). Trigger foods vary person to person, so it’s important to keep track of what yours may be.

Trigger foods might include any of the foods listed earlier or others. Common trigger foods include:

• Spicy foods
• Highly processed foods
• Alcohol
• High-fat foods

It’s generally best to stick with a well-balanced diet that you can make small adjustments to during flares. Eating a Crohn’s disease diet that follows recommended foods and avoids potentially harmful foods is especially helpful during flares.

You may want to adjust your diet in times when symptoms are severe. For example, some people find that eating lower-fiber foods can help calm flare-up symptoms. These foods pass through your digestive system more easily and are less likely to cause abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea.

You may also want to avoid foods that trigger additional symptoms. High-fat foods, spicy foods, and dairy sometimes cause more discomfort.

Specific diets can help guide your eating choices, although none is perfect for everyone with Crohn’s disease. Each diet comes with positive and negative aspects for gut health.

Generally positive diets for Crohn’s disease may include:

• Low-FODMAP diet: The low-FODMAP diet reduces foods that may cause gas and bloating, which may help you feel more comfortable.
• Anti-inflammatory diet: The anti-inflammatory diet includes foods and spices, like turmeric and olive oil, that can help calm inflammation.
• Low-residue diet: The low-residue diet is a short-term diet that is low in fiber. It aims to reduce bowel movements, so it may help manage symptoms during a flare-up.

High-fat diets like the typical Western diet are usually considered unhelpful for Crohn’s disease. Diets rich in fat can be difficult for people with Crohn’s disease to digest and may increase inflammation and worsen symptoms.

There isn’t a specific Crohn’s disease diet that works for everyone, but research suggests that some foods may help relieve symptoms, while others may worsen them. Avoiding your trigger foods may help prevent your symptoms.

It’s important to talk with a healthcare provider before changing your diet. Consider meeting with a registered dietitian, who can help you develop an eating plan that meets your nutritional needs while minimizing symptom flares.