What Do People With Crohns Disease Eat?
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 100,000 Americans are hospitalized each year from Crohn’s disease, a chronic and progressive inflammatory bowel disease. Roughly 20 percent of those with the condition have a blood relative with Crohn’s or another form of inflammatory bowel disease, with African-Americans and those of Jewish descent most at risk. Crohn’s patents are generally diagnosed in their 20s or 30s; men and women are equally affected. There is no cure for the disease, though a nutritious diet can help manage it. Foods to choose Since Crohn’s can cause a person to suffer from diarrhea, inadequate nutrient absorption and a poor appetite, patients must maintain a diet rich in protein, calcium, iron, zinc and other essential vitamins and minerals, including folic acid. To achieve this, health experts recommend Crohn’s patients eat—in moderation and as their doctors instructs—a variety of foods from each of the four food groups: meats, dairy, grains, and f