If you were not aware of it, Crohn’s Disease is an incurable
disease believed to develop from an overactive autoimmune response by the body.
Put simply, this means that the body’s defenses are basically turning on the
body and attacking it. The battle with Crohn’s is fought in the digestive
tract, particularly within the colon. Through research and the experience of
Crohn’s sufferers, it has been proven that diet plays an important role in the
emergence and subsequent control of the disease.
People living with Crohn’s Disease often have to modify
their diets. For many, this can be a real pain in the neck. Foods that you once
regularly enjoyed might be now impossible to eat. Having Crohn’s Disease does
not mean you have to stop enjoying food, however, you may have to choose
carefully what you eat.
The way the body deals with Crohn’s is different for every
person. Some may be able to tolerate foods that others cannot. Basically, it
takes a trial and error approach. One of the suggestions Crohn’s experts have
expressed for those with the disease is to keep a food diary. Keep track of
what food you eat on a daily basis and the subsequent reactions of your
digestive tract. That way if you notice your Crohn’s symptoms acting up you can
pinpoint the food that may have caused it. In the future, you can avoid that
food and by process of elimination, find out which foods you can tolerate and
the others that you cannot.
There is also a general list of foods to eat and foods to
avoid. As stated earlier, this is not a definitive guideline, but the
suggestions are appropriate to the majority of people suffering with Crohn’s.
If you have Crohn’s Disease, planning a diet is very
important. It is best to eat a balanced diet from the four major food groups.
Some of the foods that are generally tolerable for Crohn’s sufferers include
fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those high in fiber.
Furthermore, from eating salmon, tuna and other types of
fish, the body can get valuable omega-3 fatty acids which can also help.
Instead of eating massive meals a few times a day, try to eat smaller meals in
order to give your digestive tract the leeway to operate without putting it
under a lot of pressure. Eat lots of protein, complex carbohydrates, and
potassium-rich foods to keep your system in balance. It is also important that
you drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated.
Foods that should be usually avoided include those high in
fat content, processed food, fast foods, many diary products, sugary products,
alcohol and caffeine. Obviously, the healthier the diet your follow, the better
it will be for your body to cope with Crohn’s Disease.
Crohn’s is a fickle disease. It is important that you take
an aggressive approach to finding ways to structure your diet so that it does
not increase the chances of having flare ups.
Eating healthily, exercising, and working to remain
stress-free are the best ways to go. Remember, you are what you eat – a
statement that is even more important when dealing with Crohn’s Disease.
There are also many more resources and lots of information
about controlling and treating Crohn’s Disease symptoms here Breakthrough Crohn's Disease Guide.
