How to Control Crohn's Diease With Diet

According to information from the Mayo Clinic, Crohn's disease is a type of digestive disorder characterized by symptoms such as bloody stool, abdominal pain, weight loss and ulcers. While the most efficient way to treat Crohn's is to manage the problem through the use of prescription anti-inflammatory medications (and possibly even surgery), another tool in your anti-Crohn's arsenal is compliance with a strict anti-inflammatory diet.

Instructions

• 1

  Consume numerous smaller meals throughout the day to control symptoms. Do not overload your digestive tract with larger meals, but consume fairly modest portions every few hours throughout the day for a total of five or six smaller meals.

• 2

  Increase your consumption of water in order to help facilitate the natural digestive process. Avoid other types of beverages, as alcohol, drinks containing caffeine and carbonated drinks can exacerbate symptoms.

• 3

  Avoid consumption of lactose-containing products such as dairy. Many individuals with Crohn's cannot tolerate dairy products, as they tend to trigger a flare-up of symptoms. Thus, you should wholly remove these items from your diet to help control the condition.

• 4

  Regulate your overall intake of fat, keeping it to around 30 percent of your total daily calories or less. Individuals with Crohn's often have a difficult time processing calories from fat, which can lead to an increase in symptoms. Remove the problem at the source to avoid this common Crohn's pitfall.

• 5

  Eliminate any items from your diet that tend to cause an increase in symptoms. These items will naturally vary from person to person, but common problem-causing foods include spicy dishes, raw fruit and foods that trigger gas such as beans and broccoli. If you notice that your symptoms tend to increase in severity after eating a particular type of food, eliminate it for the greater good.