Diet and Crohns Disease

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What is Crohns disease?

Crohns disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect any part of your digestive system which includes your mouth, food pipe (oesophagus), stomach, small intestine, large intestine and anus. Nutrition is an important part of your treatment and it is important to make changes to your diet to ensure you are well nourished but also to help minimise symptoms during a flare. Dietary advice depends on whether your disease is active; this is often called having a flare.

Do I need to follow a specific diet if I have Crohns disease?

There is no specific diet for crohns disease and you will only make short term modifications to your diet to preserve or promote your nutritional status or to improve symptoms. It is important to note that dietary changes can only help to improve symptoms and will not reduce inflammation in your bowel.

What advice is there for when I have no active disease (no flare)?

When you are in remission (no flare) then it is essential to make sure you are well nourished and regain any lost weight you may have experienced during a flare. Good nutritional status also helps to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiency and infection, and maintain disease remission.

• Base meals on higher fibre starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta
• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks)
• Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads, and eat them in small amounts
• Drink plenty of fluids (at least 6 to 8 glasses a day)

What advice is there for when I am experiencing a flare?

When you are experiencing a flare you may need more energy and protein due to inflammation and healing. Also depending on where your inflammation is you may have difficulty digesting and absorbing the food you eat.

• Eat little and often (5 to 6 smaller portions per day)
• Increase protein rich foods such as meat, fish, tofu, egg, dairy
• Drink plenty of fluid (at least 8 cups per day) especially if experiencing diarrhoea
• Limit caffeine and alcohol
• If you are losing weight:
  • Fortify foods with skimmed milk powder, butter, cheese, honey (or suitable dairy alternatives)
  • Include energy dense food such as nourishing drinks (hot chocolate, milk shake), full fat and full sugar varieties, desserts and puddings
  • Talk to your GP or dietitian about nutritional supplement drinks

What foods should I exclude while I am having a flare?

Although excluding certain foods whilst flaring can improve symptoms it is important to ensure you still maintain a balanced diet and replace any excluded food groups with suitable alternatives. Fibre is the only generally recommended food exclusion during a flare.

Am I at increased risk of developing vitamin and mineral deficiencies?

Nutritional deficiencies are more common in those with crohns disease and in particular calcium and iron deficiency, which can result in osteoporosis and anaemia respectively.

• You are at a higher risk of developing deficiencies if you have had part of your bowel surgically removed, if you have taken steroids and if you follow a restrictive diet for a long time
• It is recommended to include 3+ portions of calcium rich foods per day (dairy or fortified non-dairy sources)
• Iron can be found in foods such as red meat, sardines, hummus, baked beans, fortified breakfast cereals, egg, bread, and cocoa powder. If you are a vegetarian it is important to focus on plant based sources of iron and fortified foods
• Other deficiencies such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, and folate can also occur. Please discuss with your GP or dietitian if you are concerned

Where can I find more information?

• Crohns and colitis UK
• Speak to a member of your IBD team about a referral to a dietitian if further advice is needed