Crohn's Fiber Diet

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the intestines, causing chronic watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. There is no cure of Crohn's disease, but it can be controlled with medication and diet. People suffering from Crohn's should pay special attention to diet; there is a risk of malnutrition associated with the disease because the affected intestines are unable to absorb all the necessary nutrients from food.

High-Fiber Diet

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, research indicates that people with Crohn's disease fare better on a diet that is low in saturated fat and sugar. For this reason it is suggested that those suffering from the disease eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other foods that are high in fiber. These foods may help regulate the bowels and help food pass more easily through the digestive system. They are also high in vitamins and antioxidants, of which many Crohn's sufferers do not get enough because of the inability of their intestines to fully absorb the nutrients in foods. It is advisable to follow a high-fiber diet during periods of low to moderate symptoms; however, when symptoms are severe, it may be best to avoid fiber or be sure to cook vegetables and grains instead of eating them raw, as they can cause further aggravation of the intestines.

High-Fiber Foods

• A food that contains more than 5g of fiber per serving is considered to be "high-fiber" Some examples of high-fiber foods are whole wheat pasta, whole wheat breads, bran cereals, hot oatmeal or oat cereals, barley, brown rice, corn and popcorn and dried fruits including dates, apricots prunes and raisins, berries, oranges, apples, kiwis, broccoli spinach, Swiss chard, green peas, beans and nuts.

Sample Daily Diet

• For breakfast have a bowl of bran cereal with a banana and some berries, accompanied by a glass of orange juice. For lunch you could have a sandwich on whole-grain bread and an apple, with the skin. For dinner, eat a chicken breast with brown or wild rice and green beans or dark, leafy greens.