Diet Modifications And Crohn's Disease

If your Crohn's Disease is under control and you live relatively symptom free, there is no need to restrict foods or follow a special diet. Just follow the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) MyPyramid Food Guidance System or Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. The Dietitians of Canada have also created a Vegetarian Food Guide Rainbow. These reliable diet guides emphasize eating a wide variety of foods that provide the multitude of nutrients your body needs. The key is to select a variety of foods from all food groups in the recommended amounts.

 

However, if you are experiencing acute disease activity, you may find it helpful to modify your regular diet to help minimize gastrointestinal symptoms, such as cramping, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Remember that diet plays an important role for maintaining nutritional status, but also for helping with symptom management. It is of utmost importance that dietary changes do not compromise nutritional status or well-being. This means maintaining weight and energy intake levels, continuing to enjoy eating, and participating in social situations involving food.

 

 

There are specific goals for diet modifications to address not only symptom management, but also to help achieve better physical and emotional health. For instance, there can be a feeling of social isolation when your food choices are limited or you need to ask for special accommodations when eating away from home. Sometimes you just want to feel 'normal' like everyone else.