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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/3/2009 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
Can anyone give me the low down on a type of diet they use to control the symptoms. I know some things I should avoid and I know that it really depends on me but still there has to be a diet out there. Is it gluten free?

Thanks
Posted 10/3/2009 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sno,

You might like to check out the dietary therapy link in my sig.

All the best,

Ivy.
Posted 10/3/2009 6:15 AM (GMT 0)
I follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). It is gluten, sugar, lactose, and starch free. I really like it, and it's done a lot for me.

If you don't want to be as restrictive as that, gluten free is a pretty good start. I've been trying to convince my dad (he also has crohn's) to at least try going gluten free, but he won't do it sad.
Posted 10/3/2009 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
I use the low residue diet. Easy to chew, easy to digest. You can google it and get diet ideas to fit YOU. I know this diet works well for ME.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*
Posted 10/3/2009 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
spookyhurst has good ideas there; you might want to check out the following blogsite:

http://nomorecrohns.com/default.aspx

Erin, the person who maintains that blog, has been following the SCD diet for years and her Crohn's is completely under control.

I don't have Crohn's, I have celiac, but gluten free wasn't enough for me. I've gone grain free and cook with almond flour and coconut flour exclusively. Another blog with lots of grain free recipes:

http://www.elanaspantry.com/

Good luck!
JoAnn
Posted 10/3/2009 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
it's a poor day when you don't learn something...

over the years since I was first diagnosed I've developed my own diet plan...hit and miss, trial and error...
mostly aided by not only writing down what I ate...but what it made me feel like...

anyway....today I read this thread and find out that what I've actually done is develop a "low residue diet" of my own...who knew?

and that right there is why forums like this one are so important! yeah http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_residue_diet

I still drink coffee and eat chocolate tho...course my crohn's has been good for a long time...probably as a result of the low residue...LoL

I consider myself one of the lucky ones here...when I feel really good..I cheat on my diet...and then pay for it...but if I'm careful...I'm lucky...

I think the biggest thing to remember is that while each of us has been diagnosed with the same disease...our physiology is different and that requires paying attention to what we are doing...keeping on with the things that work and stopping the things that don't. idea
Posted 10/3/2009 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
I go with a low residue (learned that's what I can eat by trial-and-error more than anything else), but it's all about recognizing what foods give you problems and avoid those.
Posted 10/4/2009 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
I, like Wyzwmn, have developed my own diet plan over the past couple of years. What works for one person won't necessarily work for another, so a lot of it really is just trial and error!

I have tried the Makers Diet, The Guts and Glory Program, etc. Though these diets are extremely healthy, they alone did not help me achieve full remission. So, what I did was pick and choose through these diets what works for me and have come up with this!

Instead of normal milk I drink goat milk, goat kefir, and eat goat yogurt. I will occasionally eat cow milk cheese, but not often. Goat cheese is pretty tasty though!

When I was flaring I would either steam or juice all of my fruits and veggies so I could still get some nutrients! A juicer is especially healthy when you feel like you're getting sick as you can juice lots of ginger! I also steamed all my veggies!!

It was extremely hard for me but I had to cut out all caffeine and syrupy/sugary drinks. I also don't eat any red meat!! It seriously tore up my digestive tract!!

If I'm going to work out I eat Brown Rice Bread with peanut butter and a hard boiled egg, as the Brown Rice Bread still gives me the carbs as a whole wheat or whole grain, but is way easier on the digestive tract.

A normal eating day for me is:

Breakfast
1 egg, 1 glass of goats milk

Snack
Goat yogurt

Lunch
1 piece of baked chicken
Juiced carrot, ginger, beet, celery

Snack
Goat yogurt or Goat Kefir

Dinner
Salmon and steamed broccoli or cauliflower

I have found that this has worked for me! I hope you find something that works for you!! It takes time, but once you figure it out you'll be golden!!

Good Luck!!
Posted 10/4/2009 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
I'm very interested in the posts I'm reading about diet. I've had crohn's for 47 years. I found that the only effective way to determine what your particular problem foods are is to keep a diary for a month or so. Yes I know this is extreme but it could bring you years of relative comfort. After each meal make a note of what you ate and then 3-5 hours latter how you bowel reacted. You will quickly start to see patterns of foods that upset you. I personally have found that meat and fatty foods are real problems and upset my balance considerably, stomach starts growling and get gassy almost immediately, increase in diarreah goes without saying . Chicken and turkey is ok and very lean pork seems to be ok. May I also suggest that people with crohn's have what is know as a compromised digestive system. This usually translates into an insufficiency of digestive enzymes. Enzymes are chemicals normally released by your digestive system to help you break down fats, milk products, proteins etc. This makes it all the more probable that you will experience distention, gassiness, diarreah when you eat anything. You have inadequate amounts of your normal digestive enzymes and then you complicate things by eating things you shouldn't as revealed by your food monitoring, keeping a food diary. Your food intake will have to be supplemented by a good digestive enzyme. They can be found in your local health food store. They are not expensive and really work. Relief is consistent and predictable. I really hope this is helpful. Be proactive, do research. This disease will not kill you and you can have many positive effects on your own comfort. I am not a doctor, not a nutritionist. I just have had this a long time and had to find some relief for myself and so should you.
Posted 10/4/2009 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi sno and Tcapp, welcome! Oh, and Wyzwmn, too! Welcome!

You can read a couple of past discussion threads on the Maker's Diet and the Specific Carbohydrate Diet in my signature below! Hope something helps!

Tcapp, I also believe in the benefits of digestive enzymes (and probiotics)!

nasalady, thank you for the http://www.elanaspantry.com/ link! That's a new one for me! yeah
Posted 10/4/2009 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
Wyzwmn & Tcapp welcome to Healingwell. Sounds like you both did as I did and just eliminated the foods that didn't agree with you. I like living on the low residue diet now. I still can enjoy some foods without feeling like I am totalling eliminating some fun foods. I am just getting into the digestive enzymes and think I will have to try to find the one that works best for me. I have tried one and it didn't work well for me. I have a very sensitive gut, so its always a trial and error for me when it comes to supplements.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*
Posted 10/5/2009 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
i know everyone is different, but taking dairy out of diet made huge difference.also, i increased garlic intake (roasted or cooked) and googled anti inflammatory diet., asparagus is really good, but can be harsh if not cooked.  i also try not eating salads or broccolli.

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