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Those with Crohn’s disease know just how much of a pain it can be. From abdominal pain to rectal bleeding, and other symptoms Crohn’s can be really painful and frustrating. The good news is traditional, nourishing dietsPaleo can provide relief for annoying symptoms (and even discouragement).
What Is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease (along with ulcerative colitis) is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). It’s different from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a set of digestive symptoms and not a disease process. Both Crohn’s and colitis are autoimmune conditions. Aka the immune system attacks the body’s tissues.
All autoimmune diseases share the same characteristic. Chronic inflammation. That’s because the immune system is overactive and triggers inflammation to promote healing. The challenge of any autoimmune disease, including Crohn’s disease, is finding what’s causing the immune system to over-respond.
In Crohn’s disease, the immune systemAttacks the gastrointestinal system. While ulcerative colitis affects the mucosa lining the gut, Crohn’s disease extends through the gut wall into the serosa lining. About a third of Crohn’s sufferers only have disease in the small intestine. The large and the small intestines are affected in half, and 20% of patients only have the large intestine.
Those with Crohn’s disease can have long periods of remission and then have a flare when symptoms return or get much worse.
Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
Here are some common symptoms of Crohn’s disease. If you have several of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor. health practitionerNaturopaths, Functional Medicine Dietitians, or Holistic Doctors:
- diarrheaSometimes alternating with constipation
- A cramping and painful abdomen
- Bloating
- Fever due to infection
- Blood spotting in the rectal cavity after ulceration
- Weight gain or loss
- Abscesses are localized infections
- Fistulas are abnormal tubes that connect two hollow organs. For example, the colon and vagina.
- Intestinal obstructions
- Nutrient deficiencies due to malnutrition
IBD symptoms are generally IBD-related, and may be caused by ulcerative colitis or infective colitis. If someone suspects Crohn’s, a medical doctor will likely have them take a blood test to confirm this disease. They may also refer the patient to a gastroenterologist, who may order further testing, like a colonoscopy.
The above symptoms can come and go, with flares as well as periods of remission.
Why is Food so Important?
Since Crohn’s is a disease of the digestive tract, it makes sense that the types of food eaten would affect symptoms. Crohn’s disease is also a disease of chronic inflammation. Some foods can cause inflammation in everyone. Healthy people simply have a higher tolerance for foods that cause inflammation. They also seem to have faster inflammation-lowering responses.
With Crohn’s, these foods can set off an inflammatory response that lingers. By removing foods that are inflammatory, the immune system can be calmed and the gut healed. For gut healing, it is also essential to consume a wide range of supportive nutrients.
I have used this to cure my family’s stomaches The GAPs Diet. Others may also find success with GAPS, but they will not be successful if their histamine levels are high. Histamines are very high in GAPS staples such as bone broth and fermented vegetables. The paleo diet may be the better choice in this case.
The paleo diet is high in protein. FiberIt increases the intake of potassium, vitamins, and healthy fats. This reduces sugars, carbohydrates, and preservatives. These changes can help someone with Crohn’s diminish their symptoms and live a more vibrant life free of pain and digestive distress.
Which Foods to Avoid with Crohn’s
Everyone is different, but the following foods tend to be problematic for those with Crohn’s disease. Some of these (like margarine), are foods that I don’t recommend anyone consuming!
- Processed food
- Sugar
- Sugar alcohols, like sorbitol
- Whole grains (especially with gluten)
- Dairy products (many with Crohn’s are lactose intolerant)
- Raw fruits and vegetables
- Vegetable oils Margarine
- FODMAP (Foods with High FODMAP Content)The following are some of the most effective ways to increase your chances of success:Ermentable You can also find out more about the Oligosaccharides, The following are some of the ways to get in touch with someone elseisaccharides, You can also find out more about MOnosaccharides are a group of carbohydrates. The following are some of the ways to get in touch with someone elseolyols)
- High Fiber Foods
- Legumes, such as lentils, beans, peas, soy, etc.
- Peanut Butter (also a legume).
- Spicy Food
- Alcohol
What to avoid eating during a flare-up
There are a few general food categories which can be problematic due to their effect on gut dysbiosis or inflammation. However, during a Crohn’s disease flare, a temporary low-fat or low-fiber diet may be needed until the inflammation calms down.
According to the Crohn’s & Colitis FoundationThese foods may cause diarrhea or pain during an outbreak:
- Insoluble fiber foods
- Lactose
- Sugar alcohols
- Sugary foods
- High-fat food
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Spicy foods
In remission, foods with higher fiber, such as nuts, beans and fruits and vegetables, are more tolerated.
Different foods can produce different symptoms for different people. That’s where a customized paleo diet can be helpful. A food diary can help you pinpoint trigger foods.
What foods are left? (Try Paleo)
Paleo diets focus on eating modern foods, which are similar to those of our hunter gatherer ancestors. It’s higher in protein, lower in carbohydrates, and avoids foods introduced in the agricultural era. Foods like grains, beans, and dairy are included.
- Higher protein intake – Protein makes up 15% of calories in the average western diet. That’s much lower than the 19-35% found in hunter-gatherer diets. Paleo diets today include staple foods like red meat, fish, and other animals products.
- Reduce carbohydrate intake – Non-starchy fresh fruits and vegetables represent the main carbohydrate source. They provide 35-45% daily calories. Almost all of these foods are low glycemic so they’re slowly digested and absorbed, and won’t spike blood sugar levels.
Foods that are usually well-tolerated by those with Crohn’s include:
- Fish (especially fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids).
- Seafood (ideally, wild-caught/harvested)
- Red meat/Lean protein (ideally) Grass-fed or pasture-raised)
- Eggsduck eggsSome people may tolerate it better than others.
- Vegetables roasted, steamed or cooked
- Fruits cooked in flares
- Nuts, seeds and grains without oil added (not when a flare is lit)
- Healthy fats, oils and oils Tallow, lard, avocados, olive oil, and Coconut oil).
In general, these are well tolerated by those with Crohn’s disease, but it’s also possible to have Allergies to certain foods. It’s not uncommon to have allergies to certain fish like cod, shellfish allergies, tree nut allergies, or allergies to chicken eggs –the whites, the yolks, or both. Personally, I don’t tolerate eggs well so it’s something I avoid.
It may be worth it to do a blood test to make sure these healthy foods aren’t creating more inflammation. I use and highly recommend This genetic test is available Help determine which foods are beneficial or harmful to someone.
Paleo Cookbooks for Crohn’s Disease Diet
I’ve bought and tried recipes from several Paleo cookbooks over the years. Many I’ve even received as gifts! Here are some that I’d recommend:
Here are some more Paleo-friendly cookbooks This post contains a number of useful links. Because Crohn’s is an autoimmune condition, a specific autoimmune protocol, as outlined by Paleo ApproachIt’s a good idea to start with. On the Wellness Mama site, you can find a variety of paleo-compliant recipe options.
Nutritional Supplements for Crohn’s
Food is ultimately the best source of nutrients, but Crohn’s usually causes deficiencies. A balanced diet can help to resolve these deficiencies. nutritional deficiencies. A few common ones associated with Crohn’s disease are:
- Vitamin B12
- Calcium
- Fat-soluble vitamins D, E and K.
You may be recommended to take these supplements by your nutritionist or healthcare professional. You may also be recommended to take the following:
These supplements are also beneficial for overall health, as they promote gut health and reduce inflammation.
Crohn’s Disease Diet: The Bottom Line
Crohn’s is a disease of chronic inflammation. To get Crohn’s disease under control, it’s critical to get the inflammation under control. While we can’t control everything we’re exposed to, we can definitely control diet. A diet low in inflammation with lots of healing, clean protein could help. A healthy diet can help reduce flare-ups, and improve quality of life.
Have you struggled with Crohn’s disease? Have you overcome Crohn’s disease? What diet worked for you? Please let us know below!
