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Crohn's Disease Diet Guide
Crohn's is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that requires careful dietary management, especially during flares. Focus shifts between flare management (rest the gut) and remission (nutrition repletion).
✓ Foods that help
- →Easily digestible foods (white rice, bananas, applesauce)
- →Lean proteins (chicken, turkey, fish, eggs)
- →Well-cooked vegetables without skin or seeds
- →Smooth nut butters
- →Low-fiber starches during flares (white bread, white potato)
- →Broth-based soups for hydration
- →Electrolyte drinks during flares
✗ Foods that harm
- →High-fiber raw vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, kale)
- →Nuts and seeds (whole)
- →Spicy and fried foods
- →Dairy (many Crohn's patients are lactose intolerant)
- →Alcohol and caffeine
- →Corn, popcorn
- →High-fat foods
Key nutrients for Crohn's Disease
V
Vitamin D
Immune modulation and bone health
Sources: Fatty fish, eggs, fortified foods, sunlight
B
B12
Absorbed in terminal ileum (often affected)
Sources: Meat, eggs, fortified plant milks
I
Iron
Deficiency from gut bleeding
Sources: Well-cooked lean meat, fortified cereals
E
Electrolytes
Lost during diarrhea flares
Sources: Broth, electrolyte drinks, bananas
Sample 1-day meal plan
A typical day eating for Crohn's Disease
Breakfast
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Smooth Banana & Almond Smoothie
Easy-digest ✓Low-fiber ✓
300 cal12g protein
Lunch
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Chicken Broth Soup with White Rice
Easy-digest ✓Low-fiber ✓
330 cal26g protein
Dinner
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Steamed White Fish with Mashed Potato
Easy-digest ✓Low-fiber ✓
410 cal34g protein
Snack
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Saltine Crackers with Smooth PB
Easy-digest ✓Low-fiber ✓
150 cal5g protein
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