Off Limit Foods

StayFit2007, I think anyone here will tell you that it differs by each person.  Foods that don't bother some people may cause enough pain to send others to the ER.  And, some foods may be tolerable when you're not in a flare but untolerable when you are.  Unfortunately, it's one of those things that you have to learn over time, by trial and error.  I suggest keeping a food diary until you learn what foods bother you.  I can tell you what bothers me: spicy foods, sugar, nuts, things with little seeds like berries, high fat foods (that could be due to no gallbladder, though), chocolate, tomatoes, iceberg lettuce (the most awful experience!) and anything I don't normally eat.  I've eaten the same thing for lunch almost every day for 2 years, since I know that I'm okay with it.  I'm sure others will tell you their problem foods and maybe you can make a list of foods that will possibly be offenders and really watch when you eat something on it.  Good luck.    

That really varies from person to person. Even then, sometimes I can eat something and it makes me sick. The next time I'm fine. For the most part foods that are spicey, fatty I try to stay away from. Also I can't eat salads. Digesting the lettuce has always been a problem. I LOVE them too, but they never agree.

Why does it seem that most people with Crohn's have a deep love for salad?

Anyway, when I was first diagnosed I also kept a food journal. I have been slacking off here lately. But because of that journal I discovered that some foods I never thought would an issue, were causing severe problems. Too many raw veggies, sports drinks, and some fruit type drinks, and a certain spice that I have found to be in certain pizzas and sauces. Weird, but true.

When I am in remission I can eat most things, although I do tend to cook my veggies until they are mush and I don't eat as much fiber as recommended. When I start to flare I usually have to cut out certain foods and beverages like: alcohol, fried foods, nuts, popcorn. When I am really flaring I go to a low fiber/residue diet that I call my "white diet". White bread, chicken, lean sliced turkey, mashed potatoes, white rice and chicken broth. I have the low residue diet that I go on @ http://www.tinkertech.net/mycrohns/diet.htm

Robin

I love nuts, especially almonds! If I'm not in a flare I eat them almost daily because they're good for me. I have to try to take good nutritional care of myself even with Crohn's.

Do keep a food diary, but keep in mind that something that triggers pain one day may not the next. It's the insanity of the disease.

Before I was dx'd with Crohn's in 92 I was sure I was lactose intolerant because I would have severe pain, vomiting, etc. everytime I had a milk product and chocolate. Once I had my first resectioning in 92 I could drink milk without a problem and I could have chocolate again - thank the man upstairs! When I got sick again in the late 90's milk never bothered me, it was a totally different set of foods that caused me pain. I had three more surgeries the end of 99 beginning of 2000 and again, I could eat everything.

This time around for me - no fried foods, if it's touched oil (except olive oil) it needs to stay out of my mouth. Back in 1991 french fries were a "comfort food" for me when I was sick.

It's crazy. Keep a diary and try things in moderation and don't try too many different foods at one time.

Good luck,

Robin

Sugar doesn't seem to bother me, but fat, especially fried foods are a nightmare. I can eat fresh fruit in moderation, but not fresh veggies. Then there's the stuff that bothers me one day and not another, like dairy. I drink Lactaid milk in my cereal, but I can eat cottage cheese most of the time. Sometimes I think I'm nuts, because my diet doesn't seem to make logical sense!!!!

Love reading what everyone has added here!
I think it's important to find out what foods increase inflammation, and avoid those. Sugar is definitely one of those foods! (Even if you don't get obvious symptoms from eating it). I am trying to cut out all sugar at the moment (except vegetable sugar), and it is VERY difficult! But I have done it in the past, and after a few weeks, your body doesn't even crave it anymore. Seriously!

A diet that REALLY helped me in the past - I was able to stay in remission without drugs - (and I conducted much research before choosing it) was:
* vegetable soup (and see Ingrid's post above about keeping nutrients in)
made of all organic - carrots, onion, celery and celery leaves, yellow or red potatoes, a bay leaf, sea salt, and possibly cabbage or leeks (if they don't irritate you... cabbage can cause gas in some people).

* Fish: Fresh Alaskan halibut or salmon (salmon does increase histimine, but it has been shown to be helpful for crohn's patients). I also supplement with fish oil. There are probably other types of fish that would work well for people with crohn's, but these are the two kinds I have stuck with.

*organic basmati white rice (My N.D. told me rice is a no-no for crohn's, but that has never been my experience. One thing he may not be aware of that may irritate people is the cornstarch they often coat rice with, like CalRose brand rice). I suggest making sure it's just plain, organic rice. It's my staple!!!
Unfortunately, there is a a world-wide shortage or rice, but you should still be able to find organic long grain or short grain rice at the health-food store.

*water and pure herbal tea (note, some teas can be harsh too. I like licorice tea and marshmallow tea-- yes, this is a "mucilage" herb, and it soothes the intestinal lining)!

I stuck to those foods (and mashed potatoes with carrots and yams) for a few months, then gradually added more foods on. As your body heals, it can tolerate more. BUT, I highly recommend that foods with gluten (wheat/spelt/rye, even oats) and any foods you are very allergic to be avoided, forever! Remember, you don't want to eat anything that can cause an inflammatory response in your body, or irritate the intestinal lining. Dairy is a big issue for me, but there are many w/Crohn's who can tolerate it. Red meat bothers many w/Crohn's (it's under the inflammatory category), but I eat it, especially lamb, on occasion to get some iron. An even better suggestion is making soup with meat or poultry bones. I definitely advocate organic, because it means a lot less junk in your already overwhelmed system. The idea is to eat basic/ simplify your diet!

And, research foods (and herbs and supplements) that have an anti-inflammatory effect! Changing your diet is a lot of work, and it can be especially difficult when trying to eat with friends/family/co-workers, but even so, I find that it is SOOOO worth it! It's about taking care of yourself, and on a deeper level, about taking things in your hands (not just relying on some miracle drug(s) or supplements- that doesn't exist yet)! For me at least, I feel that the diet is a small price to pay, for better healthier living!
Hope this helps, and that you heal soon!

When I was first diagnosed, I read Eating Right For a Bad Gut, and it really helped me understand some foods to avoid (especially in a flare up).
For me-
Things to pretty much always avoid:
Red meat
Anything fried
Anything with a high fat content
Nuts, seeds, chips, and other hard food items
And large amounts of lactose

Things I can always eat:
Baked potato, no skin, plain
Plain steamed white rice


Most everything else is fine for me. Just depends on the amount of flare up. If I'm not bad, spices don't hurt. If I'm not feeling so hot, I'll get pretty sick from spice.

Since my resection last month, I've been trying foods that I've had to avoid for a year or so. But one thing I will NEVER eat again is popcorn. That was the first food that caused me grief, a year or two before I was diagnosed with Crohn's.