Elemental Dietfor Dietary Management Of Crohns Disease
Key features in the Physicians Elemental Diet formulation provide complete nutrition in an easily assimilated form that allow the gut to rest and recuperate while patients regain comfort and control. Elemental diets that contain 100% free amino acids are thought to work in multiple ways to assist in the nutritional management of Crohns disease. Among the proposed mechanisms of action, elemental diets are thought to reduce the work of digestion, lower dietary antigens, decrease abnormal gut permeability, and beneficially alter the intestinal microbiome.3 Reduction of inflammatory cytokines is another major mechanism by which elemental diets helps control Crohns disease.4
How Crohns Disease Affects Nutrition
A little backstory: Your small and large intestines each have a specific task to do. Foods and beverages travel through the small intestine first, where vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are absorbed. When whats left arrives in the large intestine, also known as the colon, it sucks up the excess water and salt from the waste material before converting it to stool.
When you have Crohns disease, however, these organs stop doing their job. The inflamed small intestine isnt able to fully digest food, so you lose out on both macronutrients like proteins, carbs, and fats , and micronutrients, which are the vitamins and minerals your body needs. As a result, incompletely digested food then travels on to the colon, causing diarrhea. If your colon is also affected by Crohns disease, it struggles to absorb water, and that excess liquid joins the diarrhea and creates the urgent need to go to the bathroom.
All of which is to say, even if youre eating healthy, during a Crohns flare, many of those good nutrients go to wasteliterally. Add to that the fact that your body needs more calories than usual during a flare, and youve got a recipe for malnutrition, which can lead to weight loss and a list of health issues. A 2020 review in the journal Nutrients reported that 20% to 40% of outpatients with Crohns Disease experienced weight loss. People at greatest risk for malnutrition are those who:
Lifestyle Diet In Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Inflammatory bowel disease, also known as IBD, consists of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. No specific food, diet or lifestyle causes, prevents or cures inflammatory bowel disease. And multiple factors can trigger the diagnosis.
Your diet does not cause inflammatory bowel disease, or induce a flare. However, modifying your diet can manage symptoms during a flare.
While several specialized diets may help certain patients, no plan has been proven to prevent or control inflammatory bowel disease, except for enteral nutrition, which is delivered in a nutrient-rich formula.
Keeping a food diary is a great way to manage flare-ups. A dietitian specializing in inflammatory bowel disease may recommend a particular diet based on your symptoms.
These tips may help you manage inflammatory bowel disease:
Be careful with vitamins and mineral supplements. Remember, most of your needed vitamins are obtained by eating a balanced diet. Some over-the-counter supplements can contain lactose, starch and other ingredients that can worsen your symptoms.
Besides eating a recommended diet, some supplements may be suggested for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Talk to your health care professional about healthy levels of calcium, vitamin D, folic acid, vitamin B12, iron and zinc.
As with any health condition, a healthy lifestyle makes it easier to manage your diagnosis:
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Are There Benefits To Gain From Omega
Numerous studies using fish oil and flaxseed oil suggest an important role for good fats in the inflammation that happens with IBD. The studies, though, are inconsistent on whether or not omega-3 fatty acids have a specific anti-inflammatory effect with IBD. If you want to add omega-3 fatty acid supplements to your diet, talk with your doctor first.
Other studies are just beginning to examine whether probiotics or “good” bacteria may be beneficial in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. More studies are needed, though, to determine if these supplements can aid in healing the intestine in IBD.
Show Sources
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation: “Diet and Nutrition,” âCrohnâs Treatment Options,â âDiet, Nutrition and Inflammatory Bowel Disease,â âShort Bowel Syndrome and Crohnâs Disease,â âWhat is Crohnâs Disease,â âWhat Should I Eat?â
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse : “Crohn’s Disease.”
USDA: “Diet and Disease.”
Carbonated Beverages May Increase Abdominal Pain
Fizzy drinks may cause gas or bloating in some people, possibly leading to increased abdominal discomfort. Many soft drinks or carbonated energy drinks also contain caffeine, which can stimulate the intestines and worsen diarrhea, according to Mayo Clinic. Drinking sugary soft drinks can contribute to obesity as well, which raises the risk of heart disease and other health problems.
An analysis of drinks published in May 2019 in the journal Medicine found that a high intake of soft drinks was associated with an increased risk of developing Crohns disease, while a high intake of tea was associated with a lower risk of the inflammatory bowel disease. For a refreshing beverage, choose fruit-infused water or herbal iced teas.
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How Can My Diet Help The Symptoms Of Crohns Disease
Changing your diet can help reduce symptoms. Your doctor may recommend that you make changes to your diet such as
- avoiding carbonated, or fizzy, drinks
- avoiding popcorn, vegetable skins, nuts, and other high-fiber foods
- drinking more liquids
- eating smaller meals more often
- keeping a food diary to help identify foods that cause problems
Depending on your symptoms or medicines, your doctor may recommend a specific diet, such as a diet that is
Talk with your doctor about specific dietary recommendations and changes.
Your doctor may recommend nutritional supplements and vitamins if you do not absorb enough nutrients. For safety reasons, talk with your doctor before using dietary supplements, such as vitamins, or any complementary or alternative medicines or medical practices.
This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by the NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.
Meal Strategies With Crohns
When youve got Crohns, the traditional three-meals-a-day pattern is not necessarily the best. You may not be able to eat enough to carry you from, say, breakfast to lunch, and even if you can, large meals can tax your already sensitive digestive system. Try these strategies:
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Go small. Eat smaller meals about four to six times daily. Grazing helps intestines better absorb nutrients.
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Drink a lot. Aim for 64 ounces of water a day, but at the right time. Stick to about a half a cup of liquid at meals, then wait at least 20 minutes after eating before drinking more. Sip, dont guzzle. Youll know youre getting enough liquid if your urine is clear to light yellow.
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Avoid chewing gum between meals. Youll ingest excess air, leading to gas.
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Cook foods simply. Choose steaming, boiling, poaching or grilling.
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Season With Ground Spices
Spicy food can be a problem, but that’s no reason to ban all herbs and spices from your kitchen. “I see spice as an important part of any diet, especially since one of the side effects of IBD is having a depressed appetite,” says Cepo. “Anything we can do to stimulate people’s interest in food is a good thing.”
Cepo recommends using flaked or chopped spices and herbs. “If you find you have any symptoms, hold back a little more the next time you use it.”
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Can Keeping A Daily Food Diary Help Me Manage My Crohn’s Disease
Yes. Keeping track of the foods you eat each day can help you identify the “offenders” — foods that may trigger symptoms. Avoiding these foods, especially when your disease is active, may give you better control of the symptoms.
You can also use a daily food diary to help you and your doctor determine if you’re getting a properly balanced diet. It can show whether you are getting enough protein, carbohydrates, fats, and water. It can also show whether you are getting enough calories to maintain your weight and energy.
To start your diary, record the foods you eat each day and the serving sizes in a small notebook. Enter the date, food, and any symptoms you might feel after eating this food in the notebook.
After a month or two, set up a time to review your food diary with a registered dietitian. The dietitian can determine if you’re getting essential nutrients in a well-balanced meal plan or if you might need supplements. Proper nutrition helps the body heal itself and keeps you well. So having a nutrition discussion with a registered dietitian is important to your overall health and to the management of Crohn’s disease.
What Happens If You’re Diagnosed With Crohn’s Disease
If a doctor thinks you have Crohn’s disease, they’ll tell you about the condition and the treatment options.
It might be difficult to take in everything they tell you.
If you’re unsure about something later, write down any questions you have and make another appointment to go over them.
Page last reviewed: 22 April 2021 Next review due: 22 April 2024
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Eat Small Frequent Meals
Portion control is important, because eating too much at one time can make it hard for the body to digest food.
Small, frequent meals can help. You can still eat three meals a day, but make them a bit smaller than usual, and supplement them with several well-balanced snacks in between.
“You won’t go into your next meal as hungry, and you’ll be less likely to overeat, which may lead to bloating,” says Cepo.
Eating When You Are In A Flare
There are certain foods you may want to avoid when you are in an IBD flare, and others that may help you get the right amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals without making your symptoms worse.
Your healthcare team may put you on an elimination diet, in which you avoid certain foods in order to identify which trigger symptoms. This process will help you identify common foods to avoid during a flare. Elimination diets should only be done under the supervision of your healthcare team and a dietitian so they can make sure you are still receiving the necessary nutrients.
Some foods may trigger cramping, bloating, and/or diarrhea. Many trigger foods should also be avoided if you have been diagnosed with a stricture, a narrowing of the intestine caused by inflammation or scar tissue, or have had a recent surgery. Certain foods can be easier to digest and can provide you with the necessary nutrients your body needs.
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Can A Liquid Diet Help Me Control Crohn’s Disease Symptoms
Some research suggests that liquid diets might help people with certain health conditions, and there is evidence that some people with Crohn’s disease may benefit from a high-calorie liquid diet, particularly during a flare. By giving the intestines a much-needed rest, the liquid diet can help suppress symptoms of Crohn’s disease. In addition, the liquid diet or special high-calorie liquid formulas can help people with Crohn’s who need extra nutrition short-term or those whose intestines cannot absorb proper nutrition from whole foods.
Your doctor may recommend one of two forms of nutritional support:
- Enteral nutrition: You may drink liquid supplements such as Ensure Plus or Boost Plus either in addition to or instead of regular food. Liquid supplements can also be delivered through a feeding tube. Enteral nutrition is often helpful for children who may have stalled growth or late puberty because of Crohn’s.
- Parenteral nutrition: If you have a severe flare, are very malnourished, or have lost much of your small intestine to surgery, your doctor may recommend bypassing your gut entirely. Liquid nutrients pass through a tube, or catheter, directly into your bloodstream. This gives your intestines a break, which can help ease symptoms. Your doctor might call it bowel rest.
What To Eat During Remission
There is no single diet plan for Crohns disease because the illness and symptoms manifest in so many different ways. In general though, you’ll want to avoid processed foods that can trigger gut inflammation, and primarily follow a Mediterranean Diet of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, lean meats, fish, beans, and eggs. Nourishing your body during the good times means youll be in better shape to handle the flares and surgical procedures, if necessary. When youre in remission, focus on eating these nutrient-packed options:
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Peeled Or Poached Fruit
Removing the skin or peel from a piece of fruit can reduce the amount of insoluble fibers, such as lignin and cellulose.
Poaching and preserving fruit can also decrease the amount of fiber. Generally, the more processing fruit goes through, the easier it is for the body to digest.
Canned and cooked fruits are often low in fiber, but they can contain high amounts of sugar, so eat them in moderation.
Crohns Disease: Foods To Avoid
Taylor emphasizes that you shouldnt try to manage the disease with food alone. Crohns isnt something you can cure with diet you need to have a health care team treating this, she says. But if youre having a flare-up, these are some foods you might want to avoid.
1. Whole grains
The high amounts of fiber in foods like whole-grain bread, whole-wheat pasta, popcorn and bran can cause a lot of traffic through the gastrointestinal tract. That can be irritating to someone experiencing a disease flare, Taylor says.
2. Beans
Beans are a wonderfully nutritious food when youre feeling good, Taylor says. But during a flare, their high fiber content and tendency to cause gas is a lose-lose.
3. High-fiber fruits and vegetables
Some people think they cant eat vegetables with Crohns, and thats not true, Taylor says. But you do have to be careful during a flare. Aim for cooked veggies rather than raw to avoid irritating your gut. And avoid fruits and vegetables with skins and seeds intact.
Many people find that bananas or canned pears are gentler than an apple or bowl of raspberries, for instance. Also steer clear of gassy veggies like broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Theyre high in fiber and gas-producing kind of a double whammy, Taylor says.
4. Nuts and seeds
5. Alcohol and caffeine
6. Sweeteners
7. Dairy
8. Spicy foods
9. Greasy, fatty foods
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Pump Up Your Electrolytes
Replenish lost electrolytes like sodium and potassium if you’re having loose stools. “One option is to sprinkle salt liberally on your food,” says Cepo. You can also sip broths or bouillons, and choose salty snacks like pretzels, crackers, rice cakes, or potato chips.
To get more potassium, eat potatoes , bananas, tomato juice or sauce, avocados, melon, or citrus fruits like grapefruit or orange . Coconut water is also a good source of potassium, and a good way to stay hydrated.
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A Healthy Crohns Disease Diet
Not everyone with Crohns disease has the same food triggers, Taylor says, so you might need to do some sleuthing to figure out what works for you. Try keeping a food journal jotting down what you ate and any symptoms you notice to look for clues about the foods that make your stomach unhappy.
When you arent having symptoms, though, try to eat a balanced diet. You dont want to regularly shun healthy foods like whole grains, veggies or beans. Malnutrition can be a problem for people with Crohns disease, so only avoid these foods during a flare-up, she says.
Managing this lifelong disease can be a challenge, and a dietitian can help you manage your diet.
Crohns is different for every person, so work with someone who can help you design an individualized plan, Taylor says. If you have a dietitian in your corner, theyll be available so that when you have a problem, they can steer you in the right direction.
Whats The Role Of Fiber In Crohns
Dietary fiber is important for your overall health. It can help you keep your cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight at healthy levels. And getting about 23 grams of fiber a day can cut your risk of a Crohnâs flare by as much as 40%. But while youâre having a flare, high-fiber foods can aggravate your symptoms.
The best fiber choices when you have Crohnâs are foods that contain soluble fiber. Soluble fiber soaks up extra fluid in your gut. Foods rich in soluble fiber can help you slow down your digestion and ease diarrhea. The other kind of fiber, insoluble fiber, can boost the amount of water in your gut. Youâll digest foods quickly. That can lead to watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, or gas. At worst, too much insoluble fiber can cause a blockage.
Foods that come from plants are the best source of fiber. This includes fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and nuts. Most plant-based foods contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Remove peels, skin, and seeds of fruits or veggies to cut down on insoluble fiber. And check labels for added fiber in foods you wouldnât expect, like dairy products.
During times when you donât have active Crohnâs symptoms, choose whole grains and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
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