Crohn's Disease: Your Ultimate Guide to stay healthy!

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of chronic conditions that are faced by millions of people today. The Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis are the two principal types of inflammatory issues. Before we move any further, it is very important to know the difference between the two: The Crohn's disease mostly affects the small and the large intestines, along with the mouth, oesophagus, stomach and anus, whereas the ulcerative Colitis primarily affects the rectum and the colon area of an individual. Today, we are going to talk about the Crohn's Disease.

What is Crohn's Disease? 

The Crohn’s Disease, as I had mentioned earlier, is a chronic inflammatory condition that not only affects the intestines, but could also affect the mouth, oesophagus, stomach and the anus of an individual. This disease can have life-threatening complications and it cannot be easily cured.

The most common symptoms faced by the people suffering from this disease are abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss, anaemia and fatigue. Some people stay symptom-free for most of their life, while others can have chronic symptoms.

Though, medications like steroids and immunosuppressants can help in slowing down the progression of this disease, but in some cases the patient needs to go for a surgery. There are chances that the person might develop colorectal cancer in the long run.

This complication can occur at any point of time, but according to recent surveys and studies, individuals in their 20s and 30s are most prone to this condition.

Are you also one of the millions diagnosed with Crohn’s? Don’t worry! These are some of the changes you need to make in your diet and lifestyle in order to stay healthy.

1.  H2O- The most important Macronutrient 

We all know that water is the ultimate thing, our planet and bodies are made up of. Water is the most important of all the macronutrients and it is also the most under-rated of all. Most people focus on hitting their carbohydrate, protein and fat intake everyday, leaving water behind.

If you are someone who is suffering from the Crohn’s disease, then you must consume this important nutrient. There are times when you will have constant complain of diarrhea, which will tempt you to cut down your food and fluid intake. Making this mistake will only make the situation worse, as your body tends to get dehydrated when you face this issue. If you cut down your water intake, your body will not be able to function properly and you will end up having digestive issues and kidney problems.

The water will only help in managing the level of fluid in your body when you are flaring. Just remember that you need to consume unprocessed water with no chlorides, fluorides and pollutants. The water must be pure with no added chemicals. 

2.  Diary is no more your friend! 

When you have the Crohn’s disease, it is recommended that you don’t use any dairy product. The reason is the inability to digest the sugar found in milk and other dairy product. This situation is known as ‘lactose intolerance’.

If milk causes bloating, or give rise to any other symptom, then you must replace it with soy milk or almond milk. I will recommend the almond milk with no added sugar! In case, you are a cheese lover, then you must choose aged cheese (hard cheese) over the softer one’s like Parmesan or cheddar because it is believed that hard cheese are low in lactose. You can also have Lactose-free ice creams, occasionally, if you love ice creams.

It must also be noted that not everyone suffering from the Crohn’s is lactose intolerant. If you are someone who is not having any problem in digesting dairy products, then you can have them in moderation. Try having yogurt and clarified butter, as they are not high in lactose. Eliminating dairy completely can have lead to calcium deficiency in the long run. If you still want to take precaution, try supplementing with calcium after consulting your doctor.

3.  The rule of “Red to White”

Wondering what is the rule of “Red to White”? Your doctor or nutritionist must have advised you to consume less fat, as it is difficult to digest. The rule of “Red to White” is also based on that advice. Here, you need to replace the higher fat protein sources (the Red Meat) with the low-fat protein sources (the White Meat).

Most people often make the mistake of eliminating protein from their diet when they have this condition. This must not happen, as your body will end up using the lean muscle mass, for daily activities. This could lead to several health issues like diabetes, muscle and joint pain and lack of concentration.

You have variety of options to choose from, like the chicken breast, turkey breast and fish. You also need to understand the difference between white and the dark meat. For example, chicken’s breast part is categorized under ‘white meat’, while the leg part is mostly ‘dark meat’. The same thing applies to turkey and it is advisable that you don’t consume the dark meat, as the fat content is comparatively high.

Do your research before buying any meat product and buy only high quality one, as some poultry farms use artificial hormones for the growth of animals. If you are an ovo-vegetarian, then you can consume eggs, as they are known to be one of the best sources of protein.

4.  Tropical Fruits are an excellent choice

Though, people suffering from Crohn’s are often advised to stop consuming fruits, as they are rich in fibre. Guess what?! The fruits are also full of vitamins and minerals, the two essential micronutrients. If you eliminate fruits completely along with many other things, there are chances that you might end up having vitamins deficiency.

Some of the tropical fruits like mango, banana and papaya are not only great sources of micronutrients, but they also digest well. The papaya is known to have an enzyme called Papain, which helps the body to digest the protein efficiently. Apart from that, these fruits are also high in vitamin A, C, E, iron, potassium and zinc. These qualities make them an ideal choice for Crohn’s condition.

Avocado can also help, as they are high in monounsaturated fats, potassium, soluble fibre, iron and folic acid. The avocados are easy to digest and are also full of vitamin E and B vitamins, along with healthy fats.

5.  Forget Whole grains. Try the Oatmeal!

A whole grain is a complete grain that contains the endosperm, germ, and the bran. They are often considered as healthy as they are high in fibre, minerals and complex carbs, but if you have Crohn’s, then your medical practitioner must have advised you to give up grains. The reason is that the fibre present in these grains is not soluble which makes them hard to digest.

For an average Indian, it is not easy to eliminate grains from his diet and this is not the only issue with them. You are not advised to eat anything that is known to have insoluble fibre like raw vegetables, nuts and certain fruits. Then what can you consume? Well, you don’t have much choice, but there is a way healthier option available, the Oatmeal.

The oatmeal is known to have soluble fibre and sometimes, it is even considered a good choice even when you are flaring (not too badly). The oatmeal, unlike raw vegetable, absorbs water and passes it slowly to your digestive tract. This quality makes it an ideal choice for an IBD patient.

6.  Go for Multivitamin

Multivitamin is a supplement available in tablets, capsules, pastilles, powders, liquids, and injectable formulations. A multivitamin capsule contains essential vitamin and minerals and other nutritional elements. Some people consider it as a medicine, which is wrong, as it is a dietary supplement.

When you have the Crohn’s, chances are that you must have vitamin and mineral deficiency. If you’ve had a surgery in the lower part of your small intestine, then your body might not absorb the vitamin B12, an essential vitamin that helps in the formation of the red blood cells, properly along with vitamin A, C and K. The steroids you use will lead to weaker bones and that’s the reason why you might need calcium and vitamin D.

In all the above cases, you need some extra supply of vitamin and minerals and thus you need to start taking multivitamin, calcium and other important minerals like zinc, iron and potassium in the form of supplement. I would advise you to visit you doctor before you take any of these, as the daily requirement will vary from individual to individual.

7.  No Carbonated Drinks. No Processed food. No Junk.

If you are newly diagnosed with the Crohn’s disease and a big fan of junk and processed food, then I know it won’t be easy to give up. The problem is the amount of saturated fats, sugar, caffeine and sodium available in the junk food and carbonated drinks.

The caffeinated drinks like sodas, coffee and even tea can make you feel bloated and also leads to diarrhea. The saturated fats are unhealthy fats and must not be consumed. I’ve already mentioned that you have to stay away from all the fats (except for unsaturated one’s), as they are difficult to digest and can lead to diarrhea. You can consume unsaturated fats, but only in moderation.

If you can’t live without coffee, then you must remember that moderation is the key. If there are no symptoms, then you can have coffee alongside water to minimize their adverse effects.

I know that the processed food items are convenient, but they are not healthy as compared to the fresh one’s. The reason is the amount of sodium and other preservatives used, which are not only unhealthy, but can also lead to unrest.

8.  Give up Smoking and Alcohol!

Smoking is not considered as healthy. While, there are already plenty of reasons to give up smoking, you now can also add Crohn’s to that list. Recent study has proven that people who smoke are at higher risk for Crohn’s disease. In addition to this, another study showed that smokers are likely to experience severe symptoms, than the non-smokers.

People who have Crohn’s and smoke may experience frequent flares like diarrhea and abdominal pain. The cigarette smoke can increase the chance of inflammation, as it can damage the protective membranes of the digestive tracts. The smokers are likely to need more medications and repeat surgeries for their condition.

The alcohol consumption, on the other hand, is not completely banned, but you need to use the rule of moderation. Try and limit you consumption to just one drink a day, followed by some water (a glass or two). Do not take alcohol when you are experiencing flares and using some medications, especially antibiotics. Always, consult your doctor before you start consuming alcohol. My advice would be to completely eliminate it.

I know that condition like Crohn’s cannot be easily cured, but you need to follow some medications and proper diet plan, which can help you staying healthy and minimise flares. If you are someone who recently got diagnosed with this IBD, then you don’t need to worry about anything. You just need to be in touch with your Doctor and consult a good Nutritionist.

The above points that I have mentioned are for the educational purposes. As every individual is different, so does the condition and for that reason, I would advise you to consult your doctor before you start with anything new or make changes in your lifestyle.

As a part of my #SupportForACause campaign (yes, it has a name now!), I would like to dedicate this post to the Crohn’s & Colitis UK. The organization was founded in 1979 and their mission is to work with everyone affected by Crohn’s and Colitis, and help them achieve a better quality of life by providing support, improving services and ultimately finding a cure.

If you would like to know more about their work or wanted to help them by making a donation, then you may visit their website- Crohn’s & Colitis UK.

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You guys are doing an amazing job. Keep up the great work, Crohn’s & Colitis UK!