Brand New to Crohn's

[Weeble]

Hello,

My name is Diane - I'm 53 years old and I am literally 2 days into being diagnosed with Crohn's. I feel I've had it all my life undiagnosed with doctors and psychologists telling me there's nothing wrong. I had flare ups and then it would settle down again, but this time I've lost 2 years of my life without getting better. I couldn't leave the house for fear of going to the loo! When I was a teenager I had about 5 ops to widen the anus and have fistulas removed...hello...surely that should have told them something?? Anyway...I digress.... I've been on some medication for a couple of days and am feeling better already. However, I really am confused as to the roles fruit and veggies play. I read that you can have them cooked and peeled. However, during flare ups then avoid altogether. I also read that they are bad for people with IBD...so which is it, are they ok to have or not? I also at one stage was making a lot of green smoothies, kale, apple, pear, spinach, all raw (and with skins).....someone said this made my condition worse....so...can I now have my smoothies with apple and pear IF I peel them? I'm so confused :sign0085: Thank you in advance

 

[Lady Organic]

Hi and welcome.
It is recommended to avoid fibers during flare ups, but to reintegrate them when feeling better, so yeah, peeling is better for now. Cooked vegetables and fruits may be easier to digest as well during an active flare. You can check the IBD-AID diet in my signature for some ideas. There is an interesting food chart.wishing you well.

 

[Weeble]

Thank you Lady Organic will indeed check it out

 

[UnXmas]

Fibre can be difficult for people with Crohn's, so many fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals, nuts and seeds can worsen symptoms. But some can tolerate more fibre than others, so some trial and error is needed. And you may well find you can tolerate more when you're not in a flare.

You'll read a lot of conflicting advice about Crohn's and diet. Some recommend very strict diets, often with little scientific evidence behing them. So don't worry about avoiding every food that you read is bad, it probably isn't necessary.

There are some fruits and vegetables (or forms of fruits and vegetables) that don't have the fibre issue: bananas, avocados, most tinned fruits, pureed fruits, and some well cooked root vegetables like carrots.

 

[Weeble]

Thanks UnXmas. Yes it certainly is confusing!! If I did everything each different site told me, I would go insane!! I will plod along with what I'm doing...I've had unknown at the time, flare ups, so think I know what my triggers are so will just avoid those foods.

 

[lenny]

Diet seems to work for some. The SCD worked perfectly for my daughter and not very well, for a year, then not at all, for my son. She has figured out how to eat for her body, but my son can't even find a trouble food, other than he can't go crazy with raw veggies and fruit, but a normal amount seems fine.

 

[nitty]

It would be worth starting a food diary - keep a note of input and output, as detailed as you feel is necessary - and then you can find out your own tolerances, as everybody seems to have different trigger foods.