Crohn's disease causes chronic intestinal inflammation in 7 out of every 100,000 people, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, and researchers believe that its prevalence is growing. Symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, appetite loss and fever, may appear episodically and flare up in response to stress, smoking and eating certain foods. Learning about the link between food allergies, intolerances and Crohn's disease may inspire you to make wise dietary and lifestyle decisions. For best results, seek guidance from your doctor or dietitian.
Misconceptions
Because symptoms of Crohn's disease affect your digestive system and can peak after eating certain foods, people with inflammatory bowel diseases may mistakenly believe that they have food allergies. However, Crohn's disease is unrelated to food allergies, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Although you can have both food allergies and Crohn's disease, they are separate conditions. In addition, people sometimes confuse food intolerances with food allergies. Food allergies, which are less common and more severe than intolerances, trigger immune system reactions that affect multiple organs in your body. Food intolerances tend to come on gradually and cause milder reactions, such as gas and bloating.
Food Allergy and Intolerance Causes
Food allergies typically stem from a genetic sensitivity to certain allergens, such as shellfish, peanuts or dairy products, according to UMMC. You can develop an intolerance to foods such as wheat or lactose -- a sugar that occurs naturally in cow's milk -- as a normal byproduct of aging as your body loses enzymes necessary for digesting certain foods, or after surgery, an injury or an illness. Intestinal damage associated with Crohn's disease, for example, can cause lactose intolerance.
Crohn's Disease Trigger Foods
Foods affect people with Crohn's disease differently. If you find that certain foods worsen your symptoms, the CCFA suggests limiting them. Foods that are problematic during a symptom flareup may not cause problems while you are experience remission, during which no symptoms are present. These foods are often called "trigger" foods. Common culprits include fatty foods such as red meat and high-fat dairy products, and high-fiber foods such as nuts, seeds and whole grain cereals. Fatty foods can delay stomach emptying and increase bloating and cramping. Fiber-rich foods increase activity in your bowels, which can stimulate or worsen diarrhea.
Helpful Foods
Once your personal food triggers, allergies and intolerances have been determined, preferably with the help of your doctor or dietitian, replacing foods you eliminate from your diet with nutritious alternatives can help maintain wellness and guard against nutrient deficiencies, which are common among Crohn's disease sufferers. Starches such as breads, grains, pasta and potatoes, provide glucose -- your body's main dietary source of energy. During diarrhea episodes, choose low-fiber starches such as white bread, instant rice and soda crackers. If you tolerate fiber well, choose whole grain starches such as oats, barley and brown rice. Cutting back on sugary foods and eating more antioxidant-rich foods, such as berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes and bell peppers, can help reduce your symptoms. Lean protein sources include skinless white-meat poultry, egg whites, fish, tofu and low-fat dairy products. If you do not tolerate lactose or have a milk allergy, fortified soy milk provides a useful alternative.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America: Diet and Nutrition for Crohn's and Colitis
- MayoClinic.com; Food Intolerance vs. Food Allergy; James Li, M.D., Ph.D; June 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Food Allergy
- MayoClinic.com; Lactose Intolerance Causes; February 2010
