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Gentle Bowel Relief With This 7 Day Meal Plan For Crohn’s Disease

Diet for Crohn’s Disease

7 Day Meal Plan For Crohn's Disease

If you have Crohn’s disease, this 7 Day Meal Plan For Crohn’s Disease is specifically for you.

Because Crohn’s disease is going to make your life harder, choosing the right diet from the start will help you control your gut inflammation and go into disease remission.

Most importantly, there are foods to avoid with Crohn’s disease so as not to invite a flare-up.

These include fatty and fried foods, alcohol, beverages (Pepsi, Coke), margarine, mayonnaise, and raw high-fiber-rich foods.

While it’s important to note that diet alone cannot cure Crohn’s disease, making informed dietary choices can help alleviate symptoms, reduce inflammation, and improve overall well-being.

The relationship between diet and Crohn’s disease is complex, and individual responses can vary widely.

Therefore, a personalized approach, often in collaboration with healthcare professionals, is essential for effective management.

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Common Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease

  • Abdominal pain mostly in the lower right quadrant along with cramping and discomfort.
  • Frequent diarrhea and watery stools often lead to dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
  • Persistent fatigue.
  • Weight loss due to decreased nutrient absorption is caused by inflammation.
  • Bloody stools due to intestinal bleeding.
  • Some individuals experience joint pain or swelling, a condition known as enteropathic arthritis, due to the systemic nature of Crohn’s disease.
  • Inflammation might affect other parts of the body including the eyes (Uveitis), back (sacroiliitis), liver (cholangitis), and brain (depression)

Inflammation and Diet – What is the connection?

Inflammation is the body’s natural defense mechanism against harmful substances such as toxins and pathogens.

While inflammation is essential for protecting the body, chronic or excessive inflammation can contribute to Crohn’s Disease and various other disorders.

However, there is a strong connection between inflammation and the foods we eat. Certain pro-inflammatory foods can increase or possibly cause existing inflammation.

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Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Foods:

Certain foods have the ability to either induce or inhibit inflammation. Foods’ lipids, antioxidants, fiber, and other components all play a role in influencing the inflammatory response of the body.

Inflammatory Foods:

  • Trans Fats:

    • Trans fats are the top contributors to the list of pro-inflammatory foods. Omega 6 fatty acids found in sunflower oil, corn oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable, and palm oils are also among the inflammatory foods.
  • Saturated Fats:

    • Saturated fats found in red meat, dairy products, and processed foods also cause inflammation
  • Refined Carbohydrates:

    • Refined and processed grains lead to insulin resistance and also contribute to inflammation

Anti-Inflammatory Foods:

  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

    • Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and very beneficial for health. These can be found in fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), flaxseeds, and walnuts.
  • Fruits and Vegetables:

    • Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, colorful fruits and vegetables help combat inflammation. Among these, citrus fruits are highly beneficial
  • Whole Grains:

    • Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, and oats contain fiber and other nutrients that support gut health and reduce inflammation.
  • Nuts and Seeds:

    • Almonds, chia seeds, and other nuts and seeds provide healthy fats and antioxidants.
  • Herbs and Spices:

    • Turmeric, ginger, garlic, and other herbs and spices also have anti-inflammatory properties.
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Crohn’s Friendly Diet: 7 Day Meal Plan For Crohn’s Disease?

A Crohn ‘s-friendly diet focuses on minimizing Crohn’s disease symptoms by managing inflammation, boosting gut health, and increasing gut health.

While everyone reacts differently to food, adopting certain important components might help people with Crohn’s disease maintain improved digestive comfort and general well-being.

Here are the key components of a Crohn’s-friendly diet:

  • Low-fiber Diet:

A medium to low-fiber diet is the most suitable to avoid excess bloating and pain.

Limit foods such as raw fruits, beans, legumes, and whole grains that contain a large amount of insoluble fiber. This type of fiber often aggravates bloating.

Switch to peeled fruits, refined carbs, and cooked vegetables because these foods are well-tolerated.

  • Gut-friendly Foods:

Gut-friendly foods include probiotics such as yogurt, kefir, miso, kimchi, tempeh, fermented vegetables, and prebiotics like steel-cut oats, seeds, asparagus, and other fruits and vegetables that contain soluble fiber.

These foods promote the growth of good bacteria and might be useful to combat inflammation.

Other well-tolerated foods include baked, steamed, boiled food products and refined carbohydrates that have lesser fat content and are easily digested.

  • Proteins:

As mentioned above, red meat is a source of pro-inflammatory fats and therefore it has to be limited.

However, we cannot completely skip protein because it is essential for tissue repair and proper immune functioning. Add lean proteins such as skinless poultry, fish, and eggs to your diet.

  • Avoid troublemaking foods

The key to a healthy diet with Crohn’s disease is to carefully identify all the trigger foods and avoid them.

The most common triggers are spicy foods, high-fat foods, processed foods, caffeine, emulsifiers (carrageenan, maltodextrin, polysorbate 80, carboxymethyl cellulose), full-fat dairy, fresh cheeses, and gluten products.

  • Changing the eating patterns

The common trends include eating 3 main meals per day. But to best control your symptoms switch to small frequent meals with nutritious foods while avoiding all the triggers.

Moreover, practice mindful eating to avoid any other complications.

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Common Nutrient Deficiencies with Crohn’s Disease

  • Iron:

Inflammation and bleeding in the intestines can cause iron deficiency anemia, which causes exhaustion, weakness, and decreased oxygen delivery in the blood.

  • Vitamin B12:

The ileum, a section of the small intestine typically afflicted by Crohn’s disease, is in charge of vitamin B12 absorption.

Damage to this area might result in a lack of vitamin B12, which can cause exhaustion, neurological problems, and anemia.

  •  Folate:

Inflammation and intestinal injury can impair folate absorption, contributing to anemia and other health problems.

  • Calcium and Vitamin D:

Malabsorption of these nutrients can lead to bone health problems, such as osteoporosis and increased fracture risk.

  • Vitamin A:

Damage to the intestines and inflammation can impair vitamin A absorption, affecting immune function, eyesight, and skin health.

  • Magnesium and Zinc:

Inflammation and diarrhea can lead to losses of magnesium and zinc, which are essential for various physiological processes.

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7 Day Meal Plan For Crohn’s Disease: 1000 kcal

Although a 1000 Kcal 7-day meal plan for Crohn’s disease may look insufficient, especially for a person who has already lost weight due to Crohn’s disease.

However, it can be a starting point and once you are able to tolerate 1000 kcal per day, you can switch to 1200 or 1500 Kcal per day as mentioned below.

Here is a 7-day meal plan for Crohn’s disease day-wise and then a summary is given at the end:

Day 1 of a 7-day meal plan for Crohn’s disease:

Day 1 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Monday Breakfast Quinoa Breakfast Bowl 220
Snack Greek Yogurt with Berries 190
Lunch Lentil Soup with Rice 350
Snack Rice cake 120
Dinner Grilled Turkey Wrap 220

 

Day 2 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Tuesday Breakfast Vegetable Omelet 150
Snack ½ cup strawberries 120
Lunch Baked chicken + mashed sweet potato 370
Snack French toast 120
Dinner Stuffed chicken breast 250

 

Day 3 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Wednesday Breakfast Greek Yogurt Parfait 210
Snack 1 medium mango 90
Lunch Baked Salmon with Quinoa 390
Snack Banana bread 120
Dinner Stir-fry shrimps 300

 

Day 4 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Thursday Breakfast Avocado bread + scrambled eggs 280
Snack Sliced (peeled) apple 60
Lunch Vegetable rice with roasted turkey 320
Snack Carrot Sticks with Hummus 80
Dinner Fresh veggies and tuna salad with olive oil 350

 

Day 5 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Friday Breakfast Spinach omelet with bread 250
Snack 2 Bananas 120
Lunch Baked salmon with fruit salsa 290
Snack Mango + yogurt smoothie 120
Dinner Grilled zucchini with guacamole 320

 

Day 6 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Saturday Breakfast Banana and rice pudding 190
Snack Baked sweet potato 100
Lunch Tofu and quinoa salad 280
Snack 1 cup Pineapple chunks 120
Dinner Vegetable tortilla wrap with tahini sauce 350

 

Day 7 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Sunday Breakfast Chia Seed Pudding 170
Snack Greek yogurt bowl 120
Lunch Turkey meatballs with tortilla 310
Snack Caramelized banana 90
Dinner Spinach pasta 340

 

Day Breakfast Snack Lunch Snack Dinner Total Calories
Monday Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

220 kcal

Greek Yogurt with Berries

190 kcal

Lentil Soup with Rice

350 kcal

Rice cake

120 kcal

Grilled Turkey Wrap

220 kcal

1000 kcal
Tuesday Vegetable Omelet

150 kcal

½ cup strawberries

120 kcal

Baked chicken + mashed sweet potato

370 kcal

French toast

120 kcal

Stuffed chicken breast

250 kcal

1030 kcal
Wednesday Greek Yogurt Parfait

210 kcal

1 medium mango

90 kcal

Baked Salmon with Quinoa

390 kcal

Banana bread

120 kcal

Stir-fry shrimps

300 kcal

1000 kcal
Thursday Avocado bread + scrambled eggs

280 kcal

Sliced (peeled) apple

60 kcal

Vegetable rice with roasted turkey

320 kcal

Carrot Sticks with Hummus

80 kcal

Fresh veggies and tuna salad with olive oil

350 kcal

1090 kcal
Friday Spinach omelet with bread

250 kcal

2 Bananas

120 kcal

Baked salmon with fruit salsa

290 kcal

Mango + yogurt smoothie

120 kcal

Grilled zucchini with guacamole

320kcal

1010 kcal
Saturday Banana and rice pudding

190 kcal

Baked sweet potato

100 kcal

Tofu and quinoa salad

280 kcal

1 cup Pineapple chunks

120 kcal

Vegetable tortilla wrap with tahini sauce

350 kcal

1040 kcal
Sunday Chia Seed Pudding

170 kcal

Greek yogurt bowl

120 kcal

Turkey meatballs with tortilla

310 kcal

Caramelized banana

90 kcal

Spinach pasta

340 kcal

1030

 

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7 Day Meal Plan For Crohn’s Disease: 1500 kcal

1500 kcal per day 7-day meal plan for Crohn’s disease is probably best for underweight individuals with Crohn’s disease and those who are losing weight.

It is best to start slowly from a 1000 Kcal diet plan as mentioned above and gradually increase your intake when you are able to tolerate more.

Day 1 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Monday Breakfast Strawberry and chia seed smoothie 190
Snack Figs (4) + Dates (4) + almonds (6) 220
Lunch Avocado soup with gingerbread +  pineapple chunks 430
Snack Almond butter banana (2) 210
Dinner Chicken oats bowl 250

 

Day 2 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Tuesday Breakfast Amaranth porridge with walnuts and honey 260
Snack Carrot sticks with hummus 130
Lunch Spinach soup with thyme roasted veggies and garlic bread 450
Snack Honey-glazed roasted pears 200
Dinner Chicken and lettuce tortilla wrap + strawberry juice 390

 

Day 3 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Wednesday Breakfast Egg muffins (2) + milkshake 340
Snack Pumpkin smoothie 120
Lunch Vegetable spaghetti with tomato sauce 380
Snack Banana bread slices with fruit jam 240
Dinner Avocado and tuna salad 320

 

Day 4 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Thursday Breakfast Banana pancakes 210
Snack Mango and avocado salad 250
Lunch Roasted chicken breast with baked kale 340
Snack Popcorn bowl 150
Dinner Zucchini noodles + pineapple juice 420

 

Day 5 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Friday Breakfast Cheese omelet + Blueberry smoothie 290
Snack Watermelon chunks 120
Lunch Baked cod with tahini sauce 380
Snack Oatmeal waffles 220
Dinner Egg and chicken sandwich + veggie salad 390

 

Day 6 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Saturday Breakfast Zucchini omelet with bread 280
Snack Papaya smoothie 140
Lunch Vegetable rice with baked turkey 410
Snack Mixed nuts with raisins 220
Dinner Mushroom and oats risotto 390

 

Day 7 Meal Food Item Calories (Kcal)
Sunday Breakfast Avocado toast with 1 cup of fat-free milk  270
Snack Spinach, cucumber, and pear smoothie 150
Lunch Grilled chicken with acorn squash 440
Snack Mango Ice-cream 200
Dinner Vegetable macaroni 370

 

Day   Breakfast Snack Lunch Snack Dinner Total Calories
Monday Strawberry and chia seed smoothie

190 kcal

 Figs (4) + Dates (4) + almonds (6)

220 kcal

Avocado soup with gingerbread +  pineapple chunks

430 kcal

Almond butter banana (2)

210 kcal

Chicken oats bowl

250 kcal

1450 kcal
Tuesday Amaranth porridge with walnuts and honey

260 kcal

Carrot sticks with hummus

130 kcal

Spinach soup with thyme roasted veggies and garlic bread

450 kcal

Honey-glazed roasted pears

200 kcal

Chicken and lettuce tortilla wrap + strawberry juice

390 kcal

1430 kcal
Wednesday Egg muffins (2) + milkshake

340 kcal

Pumpkin smoothie

120 kcal

Vegetable spaghetti with tomato sauce

380 kcal

Banana bread slices with fruit jam

240 kcal

Avocado and tuna salad

320 kcal

1400 kcal
Thursday Banana pancakes

210 kcal

Mango and avocado salad

250 kcal

Roasted chicken breast with baked kale

340 kcal

Popcorn bowl

150 kcal

Zucchini noodles + pineapple juice

420 kcal

1370 kcal
Friday Cheese omelet + Blueberry smoothie

290 kcal

Watermelon chunks

120 kcal

Baked cod with tahini sauce

380 kcal

Oatmeal waffles

220 kcal

Egg and chicken sandwich + veggie salad

390 kcal

1400 kcal
Saturday Zucchini omelet with bread

280 kcal

Papaya smoothie

140 kcal

Vegetable rice with baked turkey

410 kcal

Mixed nuts with raisins

220 kcal

Mushroom and oats risotto

390 kcal

1440 kcal
Sunday Avocado toast with 1 cup of fat-free milk 

270 kcal

Spinach, cucumber, and pear smoothie

150 kcal

Grilled chicken with acorn squash

440 kcal

Mango Ice-cream

200 kcal

Vegetable macaroni

370 kcal

1430 kcal

In Summary:

Diet plays an important part in healing your gut. The two plans are formulated to provide 1000 Kcal per day and 1500 kcal per day.

One may start slowly from 1000 kcal per day and gradually increase the caloric intake to 1500 kcal per day.

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What do you think?

Written by Dr. Ahmed

I am Dr. Ahmed, a qualified Internist and a practicing physician. I am in the medical field for over fifteen years and writing medical posts for over 5 years.

I love my family, my profession, my blog, nature, hiking, and simple life. Read more about me, my family, and my qualifications

Here is a link to My Facebook Page. You can also contact me by email at contact@dibesity.com or at My Twitter Account 🙏

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