What diet should a person with Crohn's disease eat?

October 5, 2025 •

5 min read

While there is no single, one-size-fits-all diet for Crohn's disease, personalized dietary strategies can significantly help manage symptoms and reduce inflammation. The ideal diet for a person with Crohn's disease often changes depending on whether the individual is in remission or experiencing a flare-up.

Quick Summary

The ideal diet for a Crohn's patient varies between flare-ups and remission, requiring personalized food choices based on individual tolerance. Key strategies involve avoiding trigger foods like high-fiber, fatty, or spicy options during flares while focusing on nutrient-dense foods to prevent malnutrition. Diet helps manage symptoms but does not cure the disease.

Key Points

No Universal Diet: What works for one person with Crohn's may not work for another; keeping a food diary is key to finding individual triggers.
Adjust for Disease Activity: Dietary needs change dramatically between flare-ups and periods of remission, with more restrictive diets needed during active symptoms.
Prioritize Easy Digestion During Flares: Stick to bland, well-cooked, low-fiber foods like refined grains, lean protein, and peeled fruits and vegetables to reduce gut irritation.
Embrace Variety in Remission: When symptoms are minimal, gradually reintroduce a broader range of high-fiber foods, omega-3s, and probiotics to support gut health.
Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Dehydration is a risk with diarrhea, so prioritize fluids. Be aware of potential vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and discuss supplementation with a doctor.
Avoid Common Triggers: Many people with Crohn's find that spicy, fatty, fried, and high-sugar foods, as well as caffeine and alcohol, worsen symptoms.
Consider Specialized Diets with Medical Guidance: Protocols like low-FODMAP, IBD-AID, or a low-residue diet should be implemented under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

Understanding Crohn's Disease and Diet

Crohn's disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. This inflammation can lead to a wide range of debilitating symptoms, including abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. The specific location and severity of inflammation can influence which foods are tolerated and which trigger symptoms, making dietary management highly individualized.

There is no specific diet that can cure Crohn's disease, but nutritional therapy is a cornerstone of symptom management and can aid in maintaining remission. The key is to identify your personal trigger foods through careful observation, such as keeping a food diary, and to adjust your diet based on your disease activity—whether you are in a flare-up or remission. Consulting with a registered dietitian specializing in IBD is crucial to ensure you meet your nutritional needs while avoiding potential deficiencies.

Dietary Strategies for Crohn's Disease

Your dietary approach will likely change as your disease state changes. Here's a breakdown of general recommendations for both flare-ups and remission periods.

Diet During an Active Crohn's Flare-Up

During a flare-up, your digestive tract is inflamed and highly sensitive. The goal is to reduce the workload on your gut, minimize symptoms like diarrhea and pain, and prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Focus on these foods:

Refined Grains: Foods with less insoluble fiber, such as white bread, white rice, and plain crackers, are easier to digest.
Low-Fiber Fruits: Opt for cooked or canned fruits, peeled apples, ripe bananas, cantaloupe, and honeydew. Cooking and peeling fruit removes tough, insoluble fiber.
Well-Cooked Vegetables: Cooked vegetables, such as green beans, carrots, asparagus tips, and peeled potatoes, are much easier on the system than raw ones. Peeling removes the skin, which is a source of insoluble fiber.
Lean Protein: Protein is essential for healing, and lean, well-cooked options are less likely to irritate your gut. Try poultry, fish, eggs, and tofu.
Smooth Nut Butters: For those who can tolerate nuts, smooth nut butters without seeds are often a safer choice than whole nuts.
Hydrating Fluids: Staying hydrated is critical, especially with diarrhea. Water, broth, and oral rehydration solutions are good choices. Avoid caffeinated and sugary beverages.

Foods to avoid or limit:

High-Fiber and Insoluble Fiber Foods: These can be irritating and exacerbate symptoms. Examples include whole grains, whole nuts and seeds, popcorn, and most raw fruits and vegetables with skins.
Cruciferous and Gas-Causing Vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can increase gas and bloating.
Spicy Foods: Spices can irritate the inflamed lining of the GI tract.
High-Fat and Fried Foods: Fatty foods are harder to digest and can worsen symptoms.
Dairy (if lactose intolerant): Many people with Crohn's develop temporary lactose intolerance during a flare-up. Lactose-free or low-lactose dairy may be better tolerated.
Sugar Alcohols and Sweeteners: Sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol are poorly absorbed and can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

Diet During Crohn's Remission

When your symptoms are under control, you can gradually reintroduce a broader variety of foods. This is the time to build up nutritional stores and strengthen gut health.

Fiber-Rich Foods: Slowly add a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains back into your diet to improve digestive regularity and diversify your gut microbiome.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fatty fish (salmon, sardines) and flaxseed, omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties that can help maintain remission.
Probiotics: Foods containing live active cultures, like yogurt and kefir, may support gut health for some individuals.
Nutrient-Dense Foods: Focus on eating a wide range of nutrient-rich foods to replenish any deficiencies that occurred during active disease.

Low-Residue vs. Anti-Inflammatory Diets

For some people with Crohn's, specific dietary protocols have been explored to manage symptoms. It is crucial to discuss these with a healthcare provider before starting, as they are not suitable for everyone.

Comparison of Diet Types


Feature	Low-Residue Diet	Anti-Inflammatory Diet (IBD-AID)
Primary Goal	To reduce stool bulk and decrease bowel movements during a flare.	To rebalance gut bacteria and reduce overall inflammation.
Duration	Short-term, primarily during an active flare-up.	Long-term, focuses on overall gut health during remission.
Fiber Intake	Very low fiber, avoiding most raw produce and whole grains.	Gradually increases prebiotic fiber (from tolerated vegetables) and includes probiotic foods.
Target Foods	Refined grains, cooked and peeled fruits/vegetables, lean protein.	Nutrient-dense whole foods, fermented foods, healthy fats, lean protein.
Foods to Avoid	High-fiber foods, seeds, nuts, fatty foods, spicy foods.	Highly processed foods, refined sugars, specific carbohydrates.

Essential Nutrients and Supplements

Crohn's disease can interfere with the absorption of critical nutrients, leading to deficiencies. Always consult your doctor before starting any supplement regimen.

Vitamin D: Often deficient due to limited sun exposure or malabsorption.
Calcium: Important for bone health, especially if dairy intake is limited or if on corticosteroid treatment.
Iron: Blood loss from inflammation can cause iron-deficiency anemia.
Vitamin B12: Inflammation in the ileum can impair its absorption, requiring supplementation for some.
Omega-3s: Supplements can provide a consistent source of anti-inflammatory fatty acids, which can be beneficial, particularly in remission.

Practical Dietary Tips for Daily Life

Beyond specific food choices, how you eat can also have a big impact on your symptoms.

Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals: This can put less stress on your digestive system than three large meals.
Chew Your Food Thoroughly: Breaking down food effectively in your mouth makes the rest of the digestive process easier.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you experience diarrhea.
Prepare Meals in Advance: Having tolerated meals ready can prevent you from opting for potentially irritating fast food or processed options when you're tired.
Keep a Food Diary: This is the most effective way to identify your personal trigger foods and track how your body responds to different foods. Record what you eat and any symptoms that follow to uncover your unique patterns.

Conclusion

Managing Crohn's disease through diet is a dynamic and personal process. There is no magic formula, but understanding the difference between dietary needs during flare-ups and remission is key to maintaining comfort and nutritional health. During active periods, focus on bland, easy-to-digest, low-residue foods while ensuring adequate hydration. During remission, you can work to reintroduce a wider variety of nutrient-dense foods, including beneficial fibers and omega-3s, to support gut health. Working closely with a healthcare provider and a specialized dietitian to create a personalized plan is the most effective way to navigate your nutritional journey with Crohn's disease and minimize symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

During a flare, focus on easy-to-digest, low-fiber foods. Examples include refined grains (white bread, white rice), well-cooked and peeled vegetables (carrots, squash), and lean proteins (chicken, fish, eggs).

No, diet cannot cure Crohn's disease. However, it is an essential tool for managing symptoms, reducing inflammation, and helping to maintain remission.

Common triggers include high-fiber foods (nuts, seeds, whole grains), spicy foods, fatty and fried foods, caffeine, and alcohol. Dairy may also cause issues, especially if you are lactose intolerant.

Not necessarily, but many people with Crohn's experience lactose intolerance, particularly during a flare. If dairy is a trigger, try lactose-free products or low-lactose items like hard cheeses and yogurt.

During a flare, whole grains are often avoided due to their high insoluble fiber content, which can irritate the gut. However, during remission, they can be reintroduced to provide beneficial fiber and nutrients.

Yes, a food diary is highly recommended. By tracking what you eat and any symptoms that arise, you can identify your specific triggers and better understand how different foods affect you.

Crohn's can impair nutrient absorption. It's crucial to eat nutrient-dense foods and, with a doctor's supervision, consider supplements for common deficiencies like Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, calcium, and iron.