Crohn's disease, classified as an inflammatory bowel disease, causes inflammation along the digestive tract. Crohn's disease most commonly affects the lower portion of the small intestine, known as the ileum, causing inflammation through all the layers of the intestine lining. Crohn's disease causes persistent and often severe diarrhea, accompanied by abdominal cramps, loss of appetite and weight loss. Although no particular foods either cause or cure Crohn's disease, eating certain types of foods may contribute to worsening symptoms, while others may reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms.
Avoid Dairy Products
Dairy products, which include milk, yogurt and cheeses, contain a specific type of sugar known as lactose. Many people lack the enzyme, known as lactase, necessary to break down lactose so the body can digest it. Those without sufficient lactase suffer from lactose intolerance, a condition that causes abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and nausea within 30 minutes to two hours following the ingestion of a diary product, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Crohn's disease damages the lining of the intestines which can cause secondary lactose intolerance. Reducing or eliminating dairy products can help reduce the severity of Crohn's disease symptoms.
Low-Fat Foods
The small intestines contain many types of enzymes that function to break down food particles into molecules small enough to be absorbed through the intestinal wall. Because fats do not dissolve in water, fat digestion requires the help of bile, a substance produced by the liver. Bile attracts both fat and water, allowing fats to remain suspended so the enzymes can break it down. Crohn's disease damages the lining of the small intestine, interfering with this process; leaving fats undigested which contributes to diarrhea. Eating a diet low in fat and avoiding high-fat foods may reduce the symptoms of Crohn's disease.
Fruits and Vegetables
Normally, doctors recommend eating a diet high in fiber to promote intestinal health. A high-fiber diet includes eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Some patients with Crohn's disease find that too much fiber increases the symptoms of Crohn's disease, making the pain, diarrhea and gas worse, as described by MayoClinic.com. To still gain the nutritional value of eating fruits and vegetables, but reduce the unwanted side effects of the fiber, patients with Crohn's disease can steam, bake or stew their fruits and vegetables. To determine which foods may exacerbate symptoms, patients with Crohn's disease can benefit from keeping a food diary, which lists the foods eaten and the reactions and symptoms following. In doing this, patients can determine which fruits and vegetables to eat, which to cook first and which to avoid.
