Diet for Crohn's Disease Management
Manage Crohn's disease through diet. Reduce flare-ups.
Calorie calculation examples by profile
Sedentary woman, 35 years old, 132 lbs
Active woman, 35 years old, 132 lbs
Sedentary man, 35 years old, 165 lbs
Active man, 35 years old, 165 lbs
Understanding Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Diet doesn't cause the disease but can influence symptoms and flare-ups. Each person reacts differently to foods, hence the importance of identifying your own triggers.
Diet during flare-ups
During flare-ups, adopt a low-residue diet to rest the intestine. Limit fiber, avoid raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. Favor easily digestible foods: white rice, white bread, lean cooked proteins, ripe bananas.
Diet during remission
In remission, you can gradually reintroduce more foods. Stay attentive to reactions and reintroduce one food at a time. A balanced diet helps prevent common deficiencies (iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D).
Identifying your personal triggers
Keep a food diary to identify what triggers your symptoms. Common triggers include: dairy products, fatty foods, strong spices, alcohol, caffeine, and certain vegetables (cabbage, onions). Voical helps you note and analyze your reactions.
Important
Never go below 1200 kcal/day (women) or 1500 kcal/day (men) without medical supervision. Too aggressive a deficit can be dangerous for your health and counterproductive for weight loss.
Dietary Guide for Crohn’s Disease
Important: This information is for educational purposes only. Crohn’s disease requires regular medical follow-up. Consult your gastroenterologist and a specialized dietitian before changing your diet.
Crohn’s disease is complex and diet is highly individual. This guide helps you understand the general principles.
Fundamental Principles
Two phases, two approaches
During flare-ups (low-residue diet):
- White rice, white pasta, white bread
- Well-cooked lean proteins
- Ripe bananas, applesauce
- Clear broths
In remission (more varied diet):
- Progressive reintroduction of fiber
- Cooked fruits and vegetables first
- Varied proteins
- Tolerated grains
Keep a food diary
This is essential for identifying your personal triggers:
- Record everything you eat
- Log your symptoms
- Look for correlations
- Share with your medical team
Mistakes to Avoid
- Following too restrictive a diet: Risk of nutritional deficiencies
- Generalizing triggers: What affects one patient doesn’t necessarily affect another
- Not adapting to phases: Flare-ups and remission require different approaches
- Neglecting hydration: Essential, especially during flare-ups with diarrhea
Why Voical Can Help You
With Voical, keeping a food diary becomes simple. Note your meals and symptoms to identify your personal triggers. This data is valuable for your medical team.