The Importance Of A Nutritious Diet For Crohn's Disease

Diet for Crohn's disease actually depends on each individual patient, as different people react in different ways to one particular kind of food. However, it has been established that diet plays a very important role in managing and controlling the disease. Good diet and exercise plays a vital role in determining the health of a person. The diet for Crohn's disease has to be carefully planned, taking into account the symptoms of the patient, the severity of his condition, and where the inflammation is. The diet should include items that the person is not allergic to and it must not include possible triggers that may worsen the condition.

 It is best, if a registered dietitian under the guidance of your physician planned the diet for Crohn’s disease. For Crohn's disease patients, plenty of fluids are recommended. This is necessary to keep the patient sufficiently hydrated and to ward off another symptom of the disease, constipation. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices can be given in moderate quantities, as long as, the patient is not fructose-intolerant. It is better not to add sugar to the juices, as it may have an adverse reaction or act as a trigger.

 

Since, the disease flares up and subsides periodically, the diet should take into consideration the present condition of the patient. If the condition is worsening, a low fiber, and low residue, diet is usually given. The patient is given several small meals, to reduce the burden on the intestines. If the patient has to be hospitalized, parenteral feeding may be considered.

 

When the patient is feeling better, they may have well-balanced small meals at regular intervals. It is necessary to maintain a book regarding the foods consumed and the effect it had. This will help patients identify foods that they should stay away from. They must realize that diary products, fried foods, spicy foods, corn, seeds, high fiber vegetables, alcohol, coffee, and saturated fats are not to be included, as they worsen the symptoms.

 

Raw and fried foods are better avoided. Steam, bake, or poach the foods, as they will be easier to digest. Pickled foods and foods that have yeast, have to be avoided, as they have been known to worsen the condition. Steer clear of the temptation to drink carbonated drinks or fast foods. Food items that may cause gas, such as, cabbage, peas, beans, onions, and peppers have to be avoided.

 

Include lean meat, chicken breast, fish such as, salmon, mackerel, and eggs that are high in protein but easy to digest, can be included. Fish provides the essential omega-3 fatty acids that seem to help manage the disease better. Fruits such as watermelon, lime, lemon, grapefruit, are good. Flax seed oil is recommended too.

 

The diet for Crohn's disease must include sufficient supplements of essential vitamins and minerals, as the patients are usually undernourished and in need of extra care. There are plenty of nutritious drinks available, which can help. There are plenty of supplements available including selenium, probiotics, Aloe Vera gel, fish oils, grape fruit extracts and zinc that are said to improve the condition.

 

There are some, who follow alkaline-acid diets. The reason is that when food breakdown in our body, it leaves behind some kind of a residue. It may be alkaline in nature or acidic in nature. The body thrives well, when a balance of 80:20 i.e. 80% alkaline and 20% acidic foods were consumed. There are a variety of foods classified as alkaline in nature and several that are acidic in nature. Some people consider an alkaline diet for Crohn's disease.