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

FAQs

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

Best foods for a Crohn's disease flare-up. Eating certain foods can sometimes help relieve the symptoms of a Crohn's flare-up. Options include refined grains, low fiber fruits, lean proteins, and yogurt. Crohn's disease is a lifelong condition that causes inflammation and irritation along parts of the digestive tract.

Do: White Bread. 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.

That's not universal either, but in general, Gaffen says, there are some foods that people with IBD, including Crohn's, tend to tolerate better. These include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and nuts, well-cooked starches and grains, and nutrient-dense produce like bananas and avocados.

Certain high-fat foods can cause symptoms in some people with Crohn's disease, but you may be able to tolerate higher-fat protein sources like nut butters and whole eggs without issue.

Generally, people living with Crohn's disease are told to stick to a low-fiber diet during a flare. Raw, green vegetables are thought to worsen gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, cramping, and pain. Gastroenterologists recommend avoiding high-fiber, raw fruits and vegetables during Crohn's flares.

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.

“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. “Pizza is kind of my white whale,” he says.

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.

What desserts can I eat with Crohn's disease? ›

Focus on lean meats like chicken and turkey (and eat only a little red meat), fish, eggs, and tofu. Avoid processed and high-fat meats like sausage, bacon, hot dogs, bologna, and cold cuts which can irritate the digestive tract and potentially trigger a flare.

Try nut and seed butters.

Nut or seed butters are a better way to consume seeds without irritating your digestive tract. “Sometimes people with Crohn's disease struggle with the amount of fiber that's in whole nuts, but that doesn't mean that you have to cut out nuts altogether.

Rye bread and lactobacilli modify the colonic environment and have the potential to relieve constipation and could be a safe and convenient alternative to laxatives.

Dinner: One Pot Chicken and Rice

This meal makes for a cozy and comforting weeknight dinner that can be cooked and served in a single pot for easy clean-up. Plus, according to a 2020 study in 233 people with IBD, chicken and rice were among the most commonly identified foods associated with a reduction of symptoms.

While doctors encourage most people to include plenty of high-fiber foods in their diet, the Crohn's sufferer should limit fiber intake to refined breads and pastas, low-fiber cereals, and fruits and vegetables that are easy to digest. This is especially true during a Crohn's flare up.