Individuals who suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or Crohn’s benefit from eating certain foods and watching out for others. IBD and Crohn’s disease involves inflammation of the intestines. Ulcers form and become inflamed causing scarring and bleeding. The symptoms of these diseases are diarrhea, acute abdominal pain, cramping, fever and fatigue. It is very important to receive good nutrition in order to manage the symptoms of IBD and Crohn’s. It is also important to receive proper nutrition in order to avoid extreme weight loss.
If you have IBD or Crohn’s Disease you should try to stay well-hydrated by drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. Staying hydrated prevents constipation. You may have been told to take a daily multivitamin by your doctor or dietician. Putting this multivitamin on your breakfast plate will help you to remember to take it. A daily multivitamin-mineral supplement replaces lost nutrients due to your condition.
It is important that your diet be one that is high in fiber.
High fiber foods are whole grain breads, buns, bagels, and muffins. They are also whole grain cereals such as Bran Flakes, All Bran, bran Buds, Corn bran and whole wheat Shreddies, and also 100% Bran and fiber 1. You can eat cooked cereal such as Red River and Oat Bran and whole-wheat pastas, and whole grains such as barley, popcorn, corn and brown rice.
Fruits can be high in fiber too such as dried fruits, berries, oranges, apples with the skin, avocado, kiwi, mango, and also pear.
Vegetables that contain fiber are broccoli, spinach, Swiss chard, green peas and other green leafy vegetables, dried peas, beans, such as kidney beans, and lima beans, black-eyed beans, chickpeas and lentils.
Nuts and seeds are also good for you to eat such as almonds, whole flaxseed and soy nuts.
When you are experiencing a flare-up it is important to limit the amount of fiber in your diet and to follow a low-fiber diet or even switch to a low residue diet in order to rest your bowel and reduce the symptoms you experience. Your doctor or dietician can give you information about these diets.
You will need to avoid lactose-containing foods such as dairy foods if you are lactose intolerant.
You need to continue to receive nutrients during flare-ups. Eat smaller meals. Eat foods high in protein such as lean meats, fish and eggs. You may also be told to drink some recommended pre-digested nutritional drinks such as elemental diet in order to rest your bowel. Always follow your doctor or dietician’s instructions.
Limit the caffeine in beverages or foods. Limit the alcohol that you drink and any sorbitol (sweetener) as these can make your symptoms worse.
Try to limit or avoid gas-producing foods because they can make your symptoms worse. Gas-producing foods are from the cabbage-family, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, dried peas, and lentils and also onions, chives, and peppers. Limit your consumption of carbonated drinks as these can also make your symptoms worse.
Reduce your fat intake because foods with fat can cause diarrhea and gas.
There have been some studies that show that taking fish oil and flax seed oil may be beneficial for treating IBD.
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