Crohn's disease
A type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causing chronic inflammation anywhere along the digestive tract, from mouth to anus.
Common symptoms
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and weight loss are the most frequently reported symptoms, though the specific pattern depends on which part of the digestive tract is affected.
During a flare
- A low-residue diet — swapping high-fiber foods like whole grains, raw vegetables, and beans for more easily digested options like white rice and white bread — is often used during flares or with a bowel stricture.
- A low-FODMAP diet is sometimes used as a short-term option to ease symptoms during a flare.
- Lean, low-fat protein cooked until soft is generally easier to tolerate than fattier cuts during active symptoms.
Foods commonly reported as easier to tolerate include yogurt, rice, and bananas. Foods more often linked to worsening symptoms include raw vegetables, spicy food, nuts, fried food, dairy, alcohol, seeds, coffee, red meat, and other high-fiber foods — though this varies significantly from person to person, which is why tracking your own triggers matters more than following a generic list.
Beyond diet
Regular physical activity, adequate sleep and rest, and active stress management all support a stronger immune system and lower inflammatory markers alongside whatever medical treatment your gastroenterologist has you on.
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