8 Foods to Cut Back On or Cut Out to Help You Manage Crohn s Disease Everyday Health Menu NewslettersSearch Taking Control of Crohn’s Crohn's Disease 8 Foods to Cut Back On or Cut Out to Help You Manage Crohn s Disease While there is no one-size-fits-all diet for people with Crohn’s disease, being aware of common food triggers and carefully managing what you eat and drink may help you better control your symptoms. By Madeline R. Vann, MPHMedically Reviewed by Kareem Sassi, MD Reviewed: July 1, 2020 Medically Reviewed Getty Images Experts are still trying to figure out how diet affects Crohn’s disease management. So far, what they do know is that certain foods — such as those containing dairy, On Trend: Cooking for Crohn’s Disease Try these twists on the latest food trends and recipes, all of which were created specifically for a Crohn’s-friendly diet. Watch now 1489 Pick Lean Cuts of Meat Martí Sans/Stocksy People with Crohn’s disease may experience an immune response to certain compounds in pork and beef that can contribute to their symptoms, says 1490 Ditch the Dairy for Other Sources of Calcium iStock Some people with 1491 Opt for Foods That Are Packed With Healthy Fats Getty Images Fried foods and high-fat meals with large amounts of cream, butter, or oils can aggravate Crohn’s symptoms, causing abdominal pain, 1492 Be Choosy With Your Fiber Intake Stocksy While fiber is an important fuel source for the healthy bacteria living in the gastrointestinal tract, high-fiber foods can be difficult for many people with Crohn’s disease to digest.For some people with Crohn’s, eating foods high in 1493 Try Creamier Forms of Nuts and Seeds iStock Nuts and seeds are packed with heart-healthy fats, protein, and fiber, all essential nutrients that contain cholesterol-lowering properties and may lower the 1494 Pass Up Spicy Foods if You re Experiencing Symptoms iStock Tolerance of spiciness is highly individual, but it's likely that most people with Crohn’s may find it difficult to take the heat of some foods. If you find certain spices irritating during a Crohn’s flare, mild herbs and small amounts of citrus juices for seasoning can provide flavor in their place. You can also try small amounts of each spice to see if it suits you, suggests Olendzki. 1495 Keep Caffeine and Booze to a Minimum Galina Zhigalova/iStock Drinking caffeine or alcohol can aggravate Crohn’s symptoms, especially during a flare with diarrhea. Wine usually contains sulfites, a food preservative, which many folks are sensitive to, says Olendzki. “So, I would say for those not having a flare, a 6-ounce glass of wine for women and up to 12 ounces for most men, could be fine.” But she cautions that this depends on how well each person’s liver can 1496 Consume Healthy Sugar Alternatives in Moderation iStock Removing almost all added sugar from your diet could improve Crohn’s disease symptoms, says Related Galleries TippiTV An Inspiring New Series for People WIth Crohn' s Disease 12 Ways to Ride Out a Crohn s Flare The Best Smoothies for People With Crohn s 7 Breakfast Recipes for People With Crohn s Disease NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Crohn' s Disease Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wellness inspired Wellness enabled FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestYoutubeTikTok About Us Careers Editorial Policy Newsletters Meet Our Health Expert Network Privacy Policy Health News Accessibility Statement Terms of Use Contact Us Feedback Do Not Sell My Personal Information Popular Topics AdChoices NEWSLETTERS Get the best in health and wellness SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. A PROPERTY OF EHGLogo More From Everyday Health: Castle Connolly Top Doctors DailyOM Diabetes Daily Everyday Health Care Migraine Again 1996-2022 Everyday Health, Inc. Everyday Health is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. Badges Badges Badges