How to Lose Weight With the Crohn's Diet

Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive track. It's painful, and leads to severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and malnutrition. Crohn's disease is considered an inflammatory bowel disease. The inflammation due to Crohn's disease can be debilitating. One of the common side effects of Crohn's disease is weight loss. It's possible to lose weight when you have Crohn's disease. The crucial thing is to eat a nutritious diet.

Instructions

• 1

  Eat low-fat foods. Crohn's disease makes it difficult to digest fat. Fatty foods can lead to severe diarrhea. High-fat foods contain substantial calories, which is not conducive to weight loss. The Mayo Clinic recommends you don't eat fried foods, butter and creamy sauces.

• 2

  Count your calories. In order to lose one pound, you must reduce your intake of calories by 3,500. Use a tool such as Sparkpeople.com to track calories.

• 3

  Eat small meals throughout the day. This is easier on the digestive system. Include vegetables and fruits in snacks and meals as they are low in calories. Spinach, broccoli, apples and bananas are all options.

• 4

  Increase fiber intake. For some people, fiber may exacerbate Crohn's disease symptoms. For most, fiber will make you feel full, which leads to less eating throughout the day. Whole-grain foods, such as rice, are high in fiber.

• 5

  Consume lean protein. People with Crohn's disease should avoid red meat because it is not digested easily. Chicken and turkey are both ideal sources of protein. Not only are they more easily digested, lean protein keeps you full, which is ideal when trying to lose weight.

• 6

  Don't consume alcohol. Alcohol can exacerbate the symptoms of Crohn's disease. Alcoholic beverages contain empty calories, which can hinder weight loss.