So what's the dilly on Sugar?

[Drummer]

Ok...so I've heard that sugar is a no no for people with Crohn's but didn't understand why, so I did some research and came across one site that said...

"Sugar is one of the most toxic foods on the digestive lining and pretty much intolerable by all those with IBD. The most deceiving part of sugar, is that when eaten it does not cause pain or bowel obstruction as nuts or a high fiber food might when eaten during a flare up. So, some think it is not a problem. However, sugar totally strips the intestines of its healthy bacteria and replaces it with an overgrowth of the bad bacteria, leading to a condition known as candida. Sugar leads to a serious PH imbalance in the body and thus, makes it harder for the body to heal from a flare up."

So I just wanted to run it by you guys and see what your take was on sugar...Have you heard the same thing as above and in your experience is it true? Do you avoid all sweets (cake, candy, fruit etc...) and has that helped keep you away from flares?

I love sweets, especially chocolate, icecream, cookies etc...and really hope I don't have to give it up completely....but if its really going to make me worse in the long run then I guess I have to do what I have to do...

Also, if it is true any suggestions on replacements for sweets?

Look forward to figuring this out...

 

[Lydia]

I tried a Candida diet for awhile to no avail. I dont like artificial sweetener, but stevia is ok. I do believe in the connection though. The SCD is basically a diet that starves out candida and it works for lots of people. I include coconut oil in my diet to keep the candida down. Kombucha tea is also good for displacing candida.

 

[Crohns08]

I was on the SCD for a long time and within two weeks I on it along with the meds I had felt MUCH better. However when I actually got into remission I tended to stray off the diet a good bit and was able to eat sweets with no problems.

I would say in a flare up that it's not advisable but if you're in remission a few sweets here and there wouldn't harm you. Unfortunately it seems popular in our culture to go outside of moderation, which is what gets us into trouble with flares. You just have to be really careful when dealing with sugar. I would always go with a monosacchride sugar if you can because they are more easily broken down. (Honey)

 

[Crohn's 35]

I was recently avoiding sweets, and using Stevia, it helps, but not 100% yet. I did finally have some chocolate last night and yes I am paying very little. In the end, we are what we eat. Still having yeast problems... haven't been regular on my VSL... probably need to go back to it.

 

[Astra]

I think that one of the problems facing the western world as we know it, is refined sugar and refined flour, cos Mr. Atkins said so!
He blames these for many IBDs and IBSs, and the candida theory, if ever you get to read his book. Wouldn't recommend his diet for a Crohnie tho! Too much red meat for starters!
I love sweets too, but everything in moderation, a little of what you fancy....
Best to leave sugar alone whilst in a major flare tho.
I've also switched to brown unrefined sugar for my cereals and drinks, its nice.

 

[Lydia]

The candida/leaky gut theory also explains why you cant tolerate foods while flaring but you can eat them in remission. Why flaring your gut is leaky and it allows whole proteins to enter the blood stream, where you will react to them. When in remission the gut is closed and actually filters out the proteins properly so you can eat offending foods without any problems. When in remission I truly could eat whatever I wanted and I never had any issues. However I did try to stick to a whole foods unprocessed diet while in remission for my overall health. Like everyone says moderation is key.

 

[CrohnsHobo]

I live off Candy and sugar. Does not bother me and I don't notice a difference between some or no sugar and my Crohn's.

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

I moderate my sugar intake. Like Joan, I use an unrefined sugar (organic cane sugar) in my coffee. Just a teeny bit.

 

[ameslouise]

I don't eat any processed foods, including any candy or things with sugar in it. It's hard to tell if it's helping b/c I am still on the pred.

For sweetening, I use agave nectar, raw honey (yum!) or unrefined organic cane sugar.

 

[shawne]

@ameslouise COOL! Another PA person!

I've always heard that refined sugar was toxic, but i never heard the details of why. Makes sense that it would be bad for us crohnies. IMHO everything in moderation...I must say though, lately i've been binging on jellybeans .. *sigh*

 

[whysoserious]

Like ameslouise, I don't eat processed foods (save for a few things), but I do drink organic soda. Sugar doesn't seem to bother me, but then again I don't have very much, so if I ate quite a bit it probably would.

 

[Mazen]

Sugar doesn't seem to bother me also, but I think in the long run it is feeding all the bad bacteria and thus making us sicker.

Many dietary approaches now focus on reducing sugar in the IBD diet. You can replace it moderatley with honey, fructose or stevia, and try to eat fruits for a sweet snack. And of course eat plain yoghurt and probiotics to replenish the good bacteria

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/553039_5

"Sucrose, commonly found in table sugar, may adversely affect those with IBD. Studies that have been done comparing the eating habits of those with IBD and those without it have shown the affected persons to consume a higher amount of sucrose and refined carbohydrates. Interestingly, a high level of fructose (commonly found in fruits) was negatively associated with IBD. Starches and lactose showed no association with IBD.[3,11] "

 

[phillycrohns]

I am currently testing out a low fructose and fructans diet and it does seem to help me. Type fructose malabsorption and Sue Shephard into Google and you will get lots of information on the condition. Sue is a dietician in Australia that specializes in Fruc Mal and treats IBS and IBD patients. She also publishes alot on the subject. From the stuff I have read, it appears that fructose is terribly difficult to digest and may be one of the worst things people with IBD can eat (in addition to gluten).

 

[Mazen]

Well, fructose malabsorption contradicts the above study i mentioned, as well as the specific carb diet that many people with IBD swear by. Many contradicting info out there????