What Food to Avoid With Crohn's Disease

According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), "no special diet has been proven effective for preventing or treating Crohn's disease." Keeping a food diary is the best way to determine what foods to avoid or limit. Write down what you eat and how you feel afterwards so you can recognize what foods cause your symptoms (gas, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea) to flare up.

Dairy Products

• Dairy products can cause a flare-up of symptoms. If you find these foods troublesome, talk to your doctor about possible lactose intolerance. He may recommend enzymes to help you break down the lactose, or sugars, in dairy foods, which may bring relief.

Facts on Fat

• According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals with Crohn's disease that affects the small intestine
  have trouble digesting fat normally; undigested, the fat can exacerbate diarrhea. Butter and margarine, creamy sauces, and fried foods may aggravate symptoms.

What About Fiber?

• Good nutrition is based upon a diet high in fiber, but fruits, vegetables, and beans can cause flare-ups for those with Crohn's. Cruciferous vegetables, among them broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage produce gas and may need to be avoided.

Beverages

• Water is best, according to the Mayo Clinic; drink plenty of it. Beverages with caffeine or alcohol can make diarrhea worse. Carbonated drinks can cause gas pains.

Be Flexible

• If raw fruits and vegetables bother you, cook them. If large meals are bothersome, eat smaller meals more frequently. Managing Crohn's disease can be frustrating, but with persistence and creativity, it's possible to find a healthy, appealing diet plan.