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:
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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.
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Saturated Fats:
- Saturated fats found in red meat, dairy products, and processed foods also cause inflammation
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Refined Carbohydrates:
- Refined and processed grains lead to insulin resistance and also contribute to inflammation
Anti-Inflammatory Foods:
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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.
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Fruits and Vegetables:
- Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, colorful fruits and vegetables help combat inflammation. Among these, citrus fruits are highly beneficial
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Whole Grains:
- Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, and oats contain fiber and other nutrients that support gut health and reduce inflammation.
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Nuts and Seeds:
- Almonds, chia seeds, and other nuts and seeds provide healthy fats and antioxidants.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Iron:
Inflammation and bleeding in the intestines can cause iron deficiency anemia, which causes exhaustion, weakness, and decreased oxygen delivery in the blood.
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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.
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Folate:
Inflammation and intestinal injury can impair folate absorption, contributing to anemia and other health problems.
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Calcium and Vitamin D:
Malabsorption of these nutrients can lead to bone health problems, such as osteoporosis and increased fracture risk.
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Vitamin A:
Damage to the intestines and inflammation can impair vitamin A absorption, affecting immune function, eyesight, and skin health.
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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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