Have Crohn’s? Get the Nutrition You Need
Eating Well with Crohn’s
Crohn's disease can affect your absorption of vitamins and minerals, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Here's how to get the nutrients you need through your diet.
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. In some cases, Crohn's disease can also lead to nutritional deficiencies.
This is because Crohn's disease can damage the small intestine, which is responsible for absorbing nutrients from food. As a result, people with Crohn's disease may not be able to absorb enough vitamins and minerals, even if they are eating a healthy diet.
Nutritional deficiencies can cause a variety of problems, including:
* Anemia: a condition caused by a lack of iron
* Osteoporosis: a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle
* Vitamin B12 deficiency: a condition that can cause fatigue, weakness, and muscle weakness
* Vitamin D deficiency: a condition that can cause bone pain, muscle weakness, and fatigue
If you have Crohn's disease, it is important to work with your doctor and a registered dietitian to develop a diet that meets your individual needs. Here are some general tips for eating well with Crohn's disease:
* Eat small, frequent meals. This will help to reduce the burden on your digestive system.
* Choose easy-to-digest foods. These include soft, cooked foods such as rice, potatoes, bananas, and applesauce.
* Avoid foods that trigger your symptoms. Common triggers include dairy products, processed foods, and sugary drinks.
* Get plenty of fluids. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water per day to stay hydrated.
* Take supplements as needed. Your doctor may recommend taking supplements to ensure that you are getting enough of the vitamins and minerals you need.
Eating well with Crohn's disease can help to improve your symptoms and overall health. By following these tips, you can get the nutrition you need to stay healthy and strong.
Here are some additional tips for managing nutritional deficiencies with Crohn's disease:
* Eat a variety of foods. This will help to ensure that you are getting all of the nutrients you need.
* Choose nutrient-rich foods. These include foods that are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
* Limit your intake of unhealthy fats. These can include saturated fats and trans fats.
* Get regular exercise. Exercise can help to improve your overall health and well-being, and it can also help to reduce inflammation in the gut.
* Manage stress. Stress can worsen Crohn's disease symptoms and make it more difficult to absorb nutrients.
* See your doctor regularly. Your doctor can monitor your nutritional status and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Working with your doctor and a registered dietitian, you can develop a diet that meets your individual needs and helps you to manage your Crohn's disease.