HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

What should I eat?

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/25/2009 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
I'm going to really try and eat healthier now.  I don't usually do too bad, but now that I've come to terms with having crohn's (after 3 yrs of denial) and starting Colazal, I want to focus on eating healthier.  I was wondering if you could give me some suggestions on a good diet to follow.  I was thinking about the "Clean Eating Diet".  I want to buy a book to go by, so any suggestions?  I like all foods!  My crohn's is in my rectal area mostly, if that matters.  Also I want to take probiotics, which are the best to take?

Thanks!

Posted 5/25/2009 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
I'm taking align probiotics which have made a huge difference. I tried other brands and didn't really see any progress until my GI recommended this brand.

I'm also on, not strictly believe me, a guideline following the basic tenets of Elaine Gotschall's Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

I avoid bread, gluten, sugar, high lactose dairy (things like yogurt and aged cheese are okay), and basically junk food in general. There are plenty alternatives to the foods you would want to eat normally. I used to eat saltines all the time for crackers but found really delicious ones made out of nut meal from a company called Blue Diamond. Just as an example.

Also, I am only now after months beginning to consume fruits and vegetables again, but stick with ones cooked really, really well at first.

I also will generally stay away from a lot of red meat...chicken, boiled eggs, or imitation crab seem to sit all right with me.

But of course we're all so different and this is just what I've found to work for me so far. Best of luck in finding the right diet!
Posted 5/25/2009 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
That really is a hard question to answer. Because what agrees with one doesn't always agree with all. Some folks have success with the SCD diet or Makers Diet. But these diets don't work for everyone and are very strict. I personally live on a low residue diet all the time. This works well for ME. I eat no red meat at all, as it is very hard to digest even in the healthy folks. I eat alot of chicken, fish and turkey.

As for probiotics, I take a lactobacillus everyday and it works well for me.

I would suggest you keep a food diary and keep track on how foods affect YOU. Good luck!
Posted 5/25/2009 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
I would consider looking at the Maker's Diet. He is heavy with his theology, but the science is pretty reasonable.

Stay away from all processed chemicals. When I refrain, I notice big differences.

Also, categorize your food. It's not just calorie and nutrition. Think of it this way: Some foods are theraputic, some are neutral, and some are harmful. Theraputic means the food is good to eat, but has other properties for the body. Coconut oil is an example. Neutral food is basically your run of the mill category, the body has to work to digest, but breaks even. Harmful foods deteriorate the body, and I have never found a chemcial in food that I felt completely safe with. Even though this disease affects everyone differently, common sense should help you get through a lot of the initial stuff.

I do try to get organic, or from the farmers market, or from a good source. I also grow my own!!! Tonight is a caprese salad with homemade mozarella cheese, heirloom tomatoes, French green beans and zucchini pie!!!!
Posted 5/26/2009 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
I've been eating SCD for almost 6 months. I've found it quite helpful, and am really glad I found it. Wish I had started eating healthy years ago, but I guess I was just too stubborn to give up my junkfood. Don't let the strictness of SCD and other diets scare you off. You get the hang of it soon enough, and it just becomes a lifestyle.
Posted 5/26/2009 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
probiotics will take several months before it really adjusts/balances your immune system.
I use Primal Defense and I am so glad I started them. After about a month, I noticed less diarrhea/ab. pain, and a better appetite.
I also take digestive enzymes, which enables me to eat more variety and a little bit of typical "no-no" chron's foods.

I did the maker's diet faithfully for several months, it helped a lot.

Posted 5/26/2009 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
Organic is a great way to go. You dont get the presservatives and additives. Plus the meat doesnt use things like antibiotics in the cows which help US not to develop resistance against antibiotics. Theres no hrmones to help them bulk up either.

Also I find that if you use probiotics and digestive enzymes then you ARE able to eat more dairy and 'no-no' foods, even though i never have a single problem with foods until I'm flaring and then its only straight milk, ice cream and heavy sauces. Which is exactly what digestive enzymes is supposed to do, break down these fatty, dairy and other types of foods to digest them easier....so no one should have areal problem if taking the right enzymes for you.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply