13 Healthy Recipes for Crohn's Disease - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the best meal for someone with Crohn's? ›

Increase protein:

Since protein needs increase during active disease, it's also helpful to focus on consuming protein-containing foods throughout the day. Some examples of foods containing protein are chicken, tofu, fish, turkey, eggs, yogurt, beans, chia seeds, and nut butters.

The CDED is a whole foods diet designed to limit or exclude foods that may negatively affect the gut microbiome, inflammation, and the intestine's ability to absorb nutrients or other functions. CDED excludes wheat, dairy, animal fat, additives, processed foods, and red meat.

Yes, oatmeal is a safe food for most people with Crohn's disease in remission, during a flare, and with active disease. Oats and oatmeal are a great source of soluble fiber making them well tolerated by most people with Crohn's disease.

Toasted bread or a bagel made with refined white flour are good for breakfast or as a sandwich base. Look for brands with 2 grams of fiber or less per serving. Low-fiber grains are easier to digest when you have Crohn's. Spread on smooth, creamy peanut or almond butter for extra protein.

Nuts and seeds can be rough — literally. Their sharp edges can be irritating to the lining of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. “But people often tolerate ground nuts or seeds,” Weekley notes, so consider giving smooth peanut butter, almond butter or sesame tahini a try.

Include foods that are high in protein. Your body uses more protein than usual if you are in a flare-up. So you might want to try protein-rich foods like eggs, dairy, meat, fish, pulses, beans, or nut butters. Eat fibre that is easy to digest, like well-cooked, peeled vegetables, bananas, melons, or fruit juice.

Generally, people living with Crohn's disease are told to stick to a low-fiber diet during a flare. Raw, green vegetables are thought to worsen gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, cramping, and pain. Gastroenterologists recommend avoiding high-fiber, raw fruits and vegetables during Crohn's flares.

“It's all about helping people feel better through food,” says Lippman. When Lippman isn't working, there's a good chance he's cooking. There are still foods he avoids to keep his Crohn's in check, including popcorn, beef, tomatoes, alcohol, and, yes, pizza. “Pizza is kind of my white whale,” he says.

Dinner: Healthy Sheet Pan Tilapia and Veggies

This recipe combines tilapia with a variety of cooked vegetables, which are often recommended for people with Crohn's disease because they are lower in fiber and more well-tolerated.

Are bananas good for Crohn's? ›

Fruits and vegetables

If raw fruits make your flare-ups worse, try applesauce and bananas. Both are good for you and can fulfill a craving for sweets. In addition to these, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation recommends raspberries, squashes, green beans, and cooked and blended fruits and vegetables.

Eggs are a source of protein and appear to be well-tolerated by most individuals with Crohn's disease.

Focus on lean meats like chicken and turkey (and eat only a little red meat), fish, eggs, and tofu. Avoid processed and high-fat meats like sausage, bacon, hot dogs, bologna, and cold cuts which can irritate the digestive tract and potentially trigger a flare.

Potatoes. These starchy veggies can be a lifesaver during a Crohn's flare-up. Just be sure you avoid potato skins, as they are high in fiber and may cause digestive distress. Bake or roast white or sweet potatoes and scoop out the middle for a simple, delicious meal that won't leave you feeling under the weather.

Certain foods can trigger flares and make symptoms of Crohn's disease worse. A few foods to avoid with colitis or Crohn's disease include fatty meats, bananas or persimmon, kefir or cow's milk, and garlic. Here's what else to know about Crohn's disease and foods to eat more of or stay away from.

Fatty fish, aka cold water fish, include fish such as salmon, sardines, and tuna. Fatty fish are a great source of protein during a crohn's or colitis flare because they contain omega 3 fatty acids which are suggested in research studies to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body.