Feb
19
2010
What Are The Most Effective Foods For Combatting Crohn’s Disease
Posted by: Alan in Probiotics, tags: Combatting, Crohns, Disease, Effective, Foods, Most, What
My 15 yr old probably has Crohns (getting diagnosed later this month) – we’ve added probiotics, yogurt (which she was already eating) and she’s eating more rice, rice cereal, all natural fruit smoothies, cooked fruits and veggies – in place of raw. What else should she be eating?
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February 19th, 2010 at 9:25 am
hi lynne, I am a female crohn’s pt. dxed at the age of 12. I’ve had it for 28 yrs. now.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has some wonderful information on diet, woman’s issues, the latest meds, etc as well as a live chat and a hotline that is run by healthcare experts during the week as well as a forum where family members and their loved ones with IBD can post questions to those in the same situation.
CCFA has many chapters throughout the USA for teens and adults. Their educational meetings are exceptional because the speakers they bring in are dieticians, drug reps, health insurance reps. colorectal surgeons, ostomates, GIs in the area, etc.
My heart goes out to you and your daughter. I can truly relate to trying to figure out what to eat. Luckily, I met a few dieticians at the local CCFA support meetings who have this disease so they truly knew what we deal with plus the fact that they had intense schooling and training before getting their diploma and license.
There is a book out for folks with GI disorders including Crohn’s. I found it on the CCFA site store and it’s written by a registered dietician. I love it b/c it offers alternatives on what to eat/drink when flaring, having nausea, gas, bloating, etc.
It’s the American Dietetic Assoc. Guide to Better Digestion by Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD. It’s well written and easy to understand. The ISBN code is 0-471-44223-2. Well worth adding to your Crohn’s library.
I have found that when I flare, canned fruits and veggies are good seeing as it is easier to digest. You can also steam veggies to the point of mush. I also make smoothies w/lactose free milk and yogurt along w/a fruit such as a banana or strawberries and then put them all in a blender. Baby food is good if the esophagus is inflamed and it hurts to swallow. Basically, is a cr@p shoot as to what she will be able to tolerate. I’d ask her primary MD for a referral to see a registered dietician b/c they are trained in dealing w/illness & special diets. good luck to you.
February 19th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Hi, I have every sympathy with your daughter as I also have Crohn’s. There will be people who tell you that a strict diet has to be followed but if you talk to any number of sufferers and specialist they will tell you it is different for every person. For me nuts, spicy food and certin E numbers/additives cause me a lot of problems but some people can eat all of those but not other things. Also it can change during a flare up – things you could eat before you may not be able to during a flare up. Try keeping a diet sheet so that you can work out what aggrevates her symptoms. Also join http://www.crohnszone.org/news.php – its a very good suport network. There is a special section for young people and family can also join. (It is UK based but there are people from all over the world on there!) I really hope this helps and I hope your daughter feels well soon. You can always get in touch with me if you need any more help or advice. (Sorry should have said probiotics are quite good – i have only started using them during this flare up but I think they have made a helped somewhat, or could be wishfull thinking!)
February 19th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
I have Crohn’s disease as well and I was told “if it doesn’t make you sick eat whatever”.
The most important thing is to cut out fast food because of all the grease. Once I did that I feel so much better. Stay away from corn and strawberries (anything with those small seeds in them). The seeds can get caught in the ulcers.
Eat allot of bland food especially when she is not feeling that well. Like toast, oatmeal, crackers, and cereal.
I was told to eat allot of fiber and protein. I also don’t help the best doctor in the would I am assuming.
Good luck to her!
February 19th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
I have had crohns since I was 12, about 30 years so far.
There are other good answers here. I would like to add what else to NOT eat.
Sorbitol is an artificial sweetener in lots of products including toothpaste an mouthwash. Sorbitol will greatly aggravate the symptoms. Please look for this (it is in almost everything diet, and lots of things you wouldn’t suspect. To be avoided at all costs for crohns patients.
Good luck.