Food Triggers That Worsen Crohns Disease Flare-ups
Individuals diagnosed with Crohn’s disease have different types of symptom flare-ups triggered by various factors. As far as food goes, while some may react badly to a flare-up, some others may do well to consume the same ingredient. It is very important to keep track of one’s body especially when you are prone to regular flare-ups due to a bad diet. Some of the proven foods that cause a worsening of the flare-up symptoms are:
Nuts: While nuts are usually considered part of a healthy diet, people with Crohn’s should avoid them because nuts are not easy to digest when not masticated properly. This would in return cause a strain on the gut to digest easily and end up irritating the gut wall.
Raw foods: Staying away from raw foods would be a wise decision because when the food is cooked it is naturally softer and easier to digest. Eating raw food would mean that a lot of chewing is needed to bring it to a smooth consistency that would be favorable for easy digestion by the gut. Especially fruits and vegetables that edible peels like apple or cucumber should be thoroughly skinned before consumption, failing which the skin that is rough and hard may be harder for the gut to strain and digest.
Fried food: Although cooked food is good, fried food is bad for people with Crohn’s because of the greasiness of the food and the difficulty to digest the oil elements.
Whole grains: Whole grains have been highly disregarded for consumption by Crohn’s patients because these grain are pretty hard to digest by the gut walls. Foods like popcorn and corn on the cob made out of corn have a thick layer on each kernel that is not easily digestible.
Cured meat: People with Crohn’s require a daily intake of atlas 25% of the protein in their regular diet. However, these foods should preclude fatty foods and cured meat such as bacon. Switching to soy, smooth nut butter, fish, and lean cuts of meat will help avoid the flare-ups.