Special Diet for Crohn’s Disease
It's important to talk to your doctor about how to avoid problematic foods while still maintaining a healthy and balanced diet.
There's no one diet for Crohn's disease. The particular diet that your doctor recommends will depend on the type and severity of your symptoms.
Some common diets for Crohn's disease include:
Mediterranean Diet Research shows adhering to the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in vegetables, fruit, olive oil, low-fat dairy, and lean protein while limiting red meat, is linked to a number of health benefits, such as a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Some studies suggest the eating plan can also help manage IBD symptoms.
One study published in January 2021 in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases determined that adhering to the Mediterranean diet for six months led to improved nutrition, disease activity, and inflammatory markers in people with IBD.
Specific Carbohydrate Diet This diet limits or completely excludes fiber, grains, and certain sugars. It’s based off the theory that undigested starch can trigger changes in the gut microbiome, which can lead to inflammation, per the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. The SCD excludes all refined and processed foods from the diet, along with soy, lactose, sucrose, grains, and certain vegetables, like potatoes, okra, and corn.
A study funded by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation published in May 2021 in Gastroenterology looked at 194 participants with Crohn’s with mild to moderate symptoms. About half the participants adhered to a Mediterranean diet for 12 weeks, while the other half followed the SCD diet for the same time frame. At the end of the study period, both diets appeared to improve symptoms, inflammation, and quality of life.
The SCD is much more restrictive than the Mediterranean and can lead to deficiencies in numerous vitamins and minerals. It’s important to stay in close contact with a healthcare provider while following it.
Low-FODMAP Diet Several studies have found this diet improves irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is very different from IBD, though many people with Crohn’s disease have IBS as well.
FODMAP is an acronym for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. This may sound complicated but it essentially means the diet plan cuts back on foods containing sugars that are not well absorbed by the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, per the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.
While more research is needed on the effects of a low-FODMAP diet for Crohn’s patients, a study published in October 2019 in the journal Gastroenterology finds the plan may help some people with IBD find relief.
Gluten-Free Diet While gluten does not contribute to Crohn’s, the rate of celiac disease is much higher in patients with Crohn’s. You can get a gluten test, and if it is positive, going gluten-free can help.
Some IBD patients who do not have celiac disease have found avoiding gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, reduces their symptoms.
Semi-Vegetarian Diet This diet, which limits animal-based protein to once a week for fish and once every two weeks for meat, is most commonly used to help treat hospitalized IBD patients in Japan.
One study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that Crohn’s patients following a semi-vegetarian diet were less likely to relapse compared with those who were not on this diet.
Be sure to discuss any major dietary changes you’re considering with your doctor to make sure that they’re safe and right for you.
Remember that you can’t try out every dietary strategy at once, and that it may take some time to figure out how you react to a change in your diet.
