Crohn's disease is a disorder caused by an inflamed gastrointestinal tract. The disorder causes swelling in the lower intestines, stomach pain and frequent bowel movements. Although medication is available to treat Crohn's, it is important to eat the right foods. Avoiding foods that will aggravate the stomach helps to reduce the symptoms of the disorder.
Foods to Avoid
Even though raw fruits and vegetables are loaded with nutrients, it is difficult for your stomach to digest them. This can cause your intestines to become inflamed and make your current Crohn's symptoms worse. If you decide to eat vegetables, prepare them in a different way. Try steaming or sautéing to improve their digestibility. Fried foods are also harsh on the stomach and should be avoided. If you are dining out, ask for your meat to be baked or grilled. Spicy foods can upset the stomach and should be limited to avoid exacerbated symptoms. Other gassy foods include nuts, beans and corn.
Limit Your Dairy Intake
Dairy products can irritate your intestines, especially if you are lactose intolerant. Soy milk and cheese can curb the intestinal problems that result from dairy. Instead of eating ice cream, try sorbet for a sweet treat. Yogurt should be avoided. Take vitamin supplements if you still want the benefits of the live and active cultures found in yogurt.
Increase Fluids and Avoid Dehydrators
Diarrhea causes you to lose important nutrients for remaining healthy. This is why drinking plenty of water is necessary to curb Crohn's symptoms. Coffee, energy drinks and alcohol intake should be reduced or completely removed from your diet. This will avoid dehydration and diarrhea. Although some energy drinks claim to have several beneficial vitamins, the carbonated beverage will cause you to have gas. This can lead to an upset stomach.
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