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Foods you should avoid!!

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 6/23/2010 5:59 AM (GMT 0)

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
Posted 6/23/2010 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
I think what we eat is so individual for each of us. There are a few things on that list that I can eat no problem, and others I already avoid.
Posted 6/23/2010 1:58 PM (GMT 0)

I eat everything on that list minus carbonated beverages, pork, and spicy foods.

My GI actually reccomends whole grains, fruits and veggies, AND he has me on a fiber supplement.  I'm also a chocolatier so I most def eat chocolate every single day of my life....I guess I'm doomed.

Posted 6/23/2010 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Most of those foods bother me, but a few of them do not.  It all depends on how I'm doing at the time I eat them.  A year ago, I could have eaten almost all of them and been fine.  Right now, anything I eat (regardless of what it is and how big or small of a meal) makes my stomach really hurt and spasm. 

Posted 6/23/2010 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Caffeine should be on that list. I realize that the most common drinks/foods that have it are on there, but the main reason they bother people is the caffeine.
Posted 6/23/2010 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
I'm better than I was when I was diagnosed 2 years ago, I couldn't eat anything for 3 months. Now, I can eat most things on thhe list but red meat is actually good for me, I feel better when I eat it. I think it's because of the amount of iron in the meat that helps me to feel good since I have iron-def. anemia. When I was really sick I couldn't eat red months meat for about 9 months, so it really has to do with where your body is in the disease process.
Posted 6/24/2010 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the input on this... I am currently trying foods (limited) and discovering what triggers... I had this general list. But- how do you eat to stay healthy? I was a salad, vegie, fruit girl?

Red meat--- right now, doesn't even sound good...

Kim in FL
Posted 6/24/2010 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Viv,
You should eat foods that are natural and aid in healing the body and have lots of vitamins and minerals. If you notice something makes your symptoms worse, then avoid it.

You should not stop eating veggies and fruit. If you can't tolerate them raw, then cook them or puree them. Some raw fruits are fine, like bananas, low acid apples like red delicious, cantaloupe is very tolerable and soothing for me.

Sweet potatoes are anti-inflammatory. So is Chamomile and green tea. Great for us crohnies!
Sugar is usually an intestinal irritant, so opt for honey.
Refined grains are not recommended, but whole grains can be irritating, so I eat white sourdough bread, which is easy to digest. You can also find sourdough rye or sprouted grain bread, which are also easier to digest. Your local grocer should have sourdough breads.

Processed foods are high calorie low nutritional foods, so best to avoid them.

If you want to learn more about diets, some people follow the Maker's Diet or the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. They do help, some more than others.

Best wishes!
Posted 6/24/2010 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
I'm one of those people who do well with red meat. Actually, I do well with animal products in general (meats, fats, eggs, cheese, yogurt). I just avoid anything with lactose in it (milk, certain cheeses like mozarella).
Posted 6/24/2010 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Roni-

THANK YOU! yeah

I LOVE sourdough bread and had eliminated it. I also love cantalope...!and  sweet potatos! So, I will try them individually....to see if they work for me. I feel like I have some starting ideas! idea

On the green tea... caffiene? I have been caffiene free since the end of April.

Kim in FL

Posted 6/25/2010 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
I love Sourdough too! French baguettes and pumpernickle bread are also at the top of my list. I have to stay away from wheat, whole grain, etc.

I'm also one of those people who do well with red meat, eggs, cheese, yogurt, etc. I drink hot (black) tea with a splash of whole milk pretty much all day long and tolerate it fine (I only steep for a few seconds). I wouldn't drink an entire glass of milk though, mostly because I don't care for it in that way. For sweetener I use Suger In The Raw which doesn't irritate me at all whereas regular white sugar and artificial sweeteners do.

Avocado is one of my favorite "good for you" foods. Bananas too. I eat a Nature Valley Oat & Honey Granola bar every day for breakfast, yet can't tolerate cereal bars at all. When my stomach feels a little yucky Ritz crackers are the perfect solution, yet I can't eat Triscuits or Wheat Thins - they send me directly to the bathroom.

It really is individual for each of us. Trial and error. When I started having symptoms I kept a food journal of anything and everything I put in my mouth each day, including chewing gum (which, as it turns out, happens to be one of my triggers! Who knew??). The journal really was helpful in determining what my triggers were and which foods irritated my bowel the most.

Two things I crave the most but can't have...........Sushi and Doritos. nono

Posted 6/25/2010 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Kim, I go for decaf green tea and I use org. honey.

I'm sooo happy I found out about sourdough bread! It's been great being able to eat bread again!

Sourdough bread (wheat, rye, etc) is okay to eat because the sourdough changes the chemical breakdown of the grain to one that is easier to digest. Studies suggest that even ppl with celiac might be able to tolerate it.

Post Edited (Roni) : 6/24/2010 9:51:45 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/25/2010 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
I really don't understand why anyone would automatically avoid a food without trying it first - course, I'm a foodie so I am certainly not going to eliminate anything without giving it a good shot.

The only thing on that list I don't do is carbonated beverages. I gave it up years ago and now the taste is nasty. After my surgery, I could probably handle it again but don't care to. They are so bad for me anyways.

Before my surgery, I avoided veggies, salad, fruit but that's it.
Posted 6/25/2010 7:39 AM (GMT 0)
viv1123 for the opposite (safe foods) try this site.
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17&p=1&m=1669119

*activated your link*

Post Edited By Moderator (Nanners) : 6/25/2010 9:53:12 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/25/2010 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Not everyone is affected by the same things. I consider myself lucky that I can tolerate many of the items on that list. High fructose corn syrup,MSG, and inulin/chicory root are big no no's for me.
Posted 6/25/2010 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
i guess im one of the "lucky" ones lol, every single food on that list bother me. i can hardly eat anything without it bothering my stomach. it totaly stinks.
Posted 6/26/2010 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
When I'm feeling well I can eat almost anything -- nuts, diet soda and popcorn are the only things that can bother me and I'm not proud to say that I still have them once in a while.

When I'm flaring, I eat almost nothing on your list - no roughage, whole grains, dairy etc. When I feel that I'm starting to have troubles, I go all soft foods and that helps until I feel better.
Posted 6/27/2010 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
I ate waffles and grilled chicken for years, so I have no clue about trigger foods. These posts help a lot! THANKS!
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