My Crohnstipated Life

I don’t charge for the information I post on my Crohns blog but I should.  Because those of you suffering with Crohns Disease would most likely pay big bucks for just some relief.  After you read through and consult with your doctor you are going to be sending me roses, candy and maybe a new Camero (black please).  :o)

Getting serious for just a moment, what you learn from your gastro is mostly all wrong, with just a little correct in the mix.  If you ask them what you should eat, many of them will tell you that it has no food association, which is completely false. They may tell you to just stay clear of caffeine and fiberous foods.  Wrong again, food plays a huge rule in our disease and Crohns isn’t picky.  It hate almost all foods.  I’ll get into more detail about what I’ve found to work but for now lets talk about how diet affects us.

Vitamin Deficiencies
Patients may experience malabsorbtion problems and/or have nutritional deficiencies especially iron or folate and less commonly B12, complain of tiredness and/or weakness and may suffer weight loss or for some time there can be a weight-gain problem due to treatment, especially treatment with steroids. Those with diarrhea should take extra fluids to prevent dehydration, as should all divers, and they may find that it’s best not to eat fruits, nuts, spicy or fatty foods just before long boat dives.

Resting the colon may reduce symptoms, for example special elemental liquid feeds (IV Treatments) are sometimes taken because they are so well absorbed that little residue reaches the colon. Anecdotal reports suggest that a dramatic reduction in refined sugar has reduced or alleviated some patients diarrhea though there is little evidence to support this course of action as a treatment. A balanced fiber diet, if tolerated, is recommended in most cases, though some patients may not be able to tolerate a lot of fiber especially if they have had surgery.

You’ve probably read about different types of diets for Crohn’s disease on the Internet. But the fact is there is no scientifically proven diet for inflammatory bowel disease. Most experts believe, though, that you can identify specific foods that trigger your gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly during disease flares. By avoiding your “trigger foods,” you may find that your GI symptoms of gas, bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea are more manageable. At the same time, you will give your inflamed intestines time to heal.

With Crohn’s disease, it’s important to follow a high-calorie, high-protein diet, even when you don’t feel like eating. An effective Crohn’s disease diet plan, based on recommendations from experts, would emphasize eating regular meals, 6 per day.  By eating every few hours you will not only keep your metabolism in check and running, but you will also insure that you get ample protein, calories, and nutrients. In addition, you will need to take your doctor-recommended vitamin and mineral supplements. Hoping by now that you have also considered going the natural route and getting off the harmful meds. By doing so you will be able to replenish the necessary nutrients in your body.

Which foods should I avoid with a Crohn’s disease diet plan?
The foods that trigger symptoms differ for each person with Crohn’s disease. To know which foods to leave out of your diet plan, you’ll need to determine which foods trigger yours. Many people with Crohn’s disease find that the foods on the following list aggravate symptoms during disease flares. So it’s likely that at least some of these listed foods will trigger your symptoms:

alcohol (mixed drinks, beer, wine)

butter, mayonnaise, margarine, oils

carbonated beverages

coffee, tea, chocolate

corn husks

dairy products (if lactose intolerant)

fatty foods (fried foods)

foods high in fiber

gas-producing foods (lentils, beans, legumes, cabbage, broccoli, onions)

nuts and seeds (peanut butter, other nut butters)

raw fruits

raw vegetables

red meat and pork

spicy foods

whole grains and bran

Once you’ve identified foods that cause your symptoms to flare, you can choose either to avoid them or to learn new ways of preparing them that will make them tolerable. To do that, you’ll need to experiment with various foods and methods of preparation to see what works best for you. For instance, if certain raw vegetables trigger a flare, you don’t necessarily need to give them up. You may find that steaming them, boiling them, or stewing will allow you to eat them without increased GI symptoms. If red meat increases fat in the stools, you could try eating ground sirloin or ground round to see if you can tolerate a leaner cut of beef. Or you might decide to rely on low-fat poultry without skin and fish as your main sources of protein.

If you are not that into eating meat or dairy for your protein intake consider Whey Protein Shakes. This is an excellent source of protein, not to mention added vitamins and minerals that you may not be getting from other types of foods.  Try Women’s Whey Protein by Dedicated Woman or the Pro Lean Mass by Extreme Labs, both offer excellent choices in protein shakes.

You may also want to consider the Ketogenic diet.  You can google The Specific Carb Diet and read up on the program.  Our systems have a hard time digesting carbs and possibly this is another choice for you.  But before you begin any type of new diet, be sure to consult with your doctor first.  These types of meal programs need to be monitored by a professional.

Good luck to you!