Crohn's Diet

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which occurs due to inflammation of the digestive tract or gastrointestinal tract. Though it can affect any part of the digestive tract right from the mouth to the anus, the disease primarily inflames the lower part of the small intestine called the ileum. This inflammation and swelling of the small intestine can affect the digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food, which eventually leads to nutrient deficiency, poor appetite and malnutrition in the sufferers. Moreover, in severe cases, Crohn's disease can also result in diarrhea along with other symptoms like rectal bleeding, weight loss, anemia, fever and abdominal pain.

Research scientists are still unable to diagnose the actual cause for Crohn's disease. According to some studies, the condition mainly prevails in people having some abnormality in the functioning of their immune system. Hence, under this abnormality the immune system starts considering foods, bacteria and other substances as foreign bodies and tries to destroy them. As a result, the white blood cells accumulate in the lining of the intestines, causing severe bowel inflammation and injury.

Besides these, there are several other factors that may contribute to Crohn's disease like family history, environmental conditions, poor and unhygienic eating habits, etc. Since the disease occurs due to inflammation of the intestines, the best way to control it is to follow a diet plan, which should include food items and recipes that are mild on the intestines and provide relief from the disease symptoms.

Crohn's Diet Plan

If facts are to be believed, there is no special diet that can help treat the disorder. However, a Crohn's diet is basically a diet plan that encourages the intake of food items that can help reduce the intestinal inflammation, and avoid consumption of foods which can aggravate the condition. The diet should be a complete balanced diet comprising vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other essential nutrients which the body is unable to absorb.

Crohn's diet should be a low residue or low fiber diet comprising foods that are high in protein like lean meat, eggs and fish to relieve the bowels and minimize the symptoms. Avoid eating dairy products, whole grain products, gas producing foods like lentils, beans, legumes, cabbage, broccoli and onions, nuts, raw fruits and vegetables, red meat and pork, carbonated beverages, coffee, alcohol, and fat rich foods like butter, mayonnaise, margarine and oils which can trigger Crohn's disease symptoms. Here are some recipes for you to check out.

Pesto Pasta (or Rice) Salad

Ingredients

• 2 cups dry pasta spirals or 1 cup dry rice
• 24 small cherry tomatoes cut in halves
• 20 black olives (pitted)
• 1 cup snow peas
• 8 oz lean lunch meat slices or skinless cooked chicken cubed or tuna chunks
• 2 cups mixed green leaves
• 1 cup walnut pesto

Directions

Cook pasta or rice and refrigerate for an hour or so. Take a bowl and mix cherry tomatoes, olives, snow peas and meat slices. Mix ready-made or prepared walnut pesto (recipe given below) with rice and serve with the other mixed ingredients. To prepare walnut pesto, in a processor, blend ¼ cup walnuts, 1 cup packed basil leaves, 2 cloves garlic, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese and ¼ cup canola oil. Add hot water if the consistency is too thick.

Salmon Steaks with Arugula and Capers

Ingredients

• 4 fresh or frozen salmon steaks (4 oz each)
• 2 cups arugula, lightly steamed or chopped spinach
• 1 tbsp capers (optional)
• Cracked pepper

Directions

In a frying pan, slightly fry salmon with a brush of canola oil, turning once. Ensure that it is cooked half way before you turn. Sprinkle some black pepper over steaks and serve over arugula with 1 tsp capers on the salmon and a green vegetable stack beside.

Whole Grain Pancakes with Apricot Ricotta

Ingredients

• 2 cups plain yogurt
• 1 cup self-raising whole grain flour
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ cup skim milk powder
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 omega-3 egg
• ½ cup skim (low fat) milk
• 1 tbsp canola margarine for cooking the pancakes
• 8 oz ricotta cheese
• ½ tbs honey
• 1 cup canned apricots in their juice

Directions

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar and skim milk powder. Add egg, milk, and baking soda and mix well until smooth. Take a skillet, add canola margarine and heat over medium-high heat. Pour ¼ of the batter on to the skillet to form 2 small pancakes. Cook the pancake until bubbles form, then turn and cook the other side as well. Repeat the procedure until you have 8 small pancakes. To prepare the apricot ricotta, puree ricotta with honey and canned apricots. While serving, pour the puree over the double stacked pancakes.

Along with the above mentioned restrictions, recipes and diet plan, ensure that you keep yourself hydrated by drinking 8 - 10 glasses of water daily. Also instead of having three large meals, try having 4 - 5 small meals in a day for easy digestion. Hence, to sum up we can say make healthy food choices and before following any diet plan for Crohn's disease make sure you consult your health care provider or dietitian for proper evaluation of the foods you may consume in order to avoid any unexpected complications.