I make yogurt and I swear by it
I'd definitely recommend making yogurt.
I've been doing the SCD diet (trying googling this term) for over 4 years now (May 6, 2010) and will be off my meds (6MP, Asacol, Prednisone) for nearly 4 years (July 1, 2010). Brewing yogurt at home is an important part of the diet. I currently have a batch of yogurt brewing right now.
I following the SCD guidelines and brew my yogurt for 24 hours (this allows the pro-biotic bacteria to digest the lactose in the milk). You'll find that home brewed yogurt has significantly higher levels of pro-biotic organisms than store bought yogurt.
When you're not in a flare, try eating 8 oz of yogurt a day for 10 days. You'll be incredibly surprised at the results and how you feel. At the risk of sounding crass, your bathroom experiences will improve dramatically.
I think it has to do with the 'good bacteria' crowding out the 'bad' bacterial in your small intestine. These bad bacteria may be responsible for the immunogenic response (aka inflammation in your gut), or so the theory goes.
All I can tell you is that since this has been a positive experience for me, I travel with my yogurt maker when visiting family out of town. I've recommend family who have sensitive guts (non-Crohns sufferers) and they too have enjoyed positive results.
What do I use:
* Yogurt maker: try checking out Amazon. (I make so much yogurt, that I'm on my second maker. Amazon has a model that is super handy because it can make nearly 2 liters in one batch).
If you can't afford a yogurt maker, visit the SCD website listed above. They give examples of makeshift yogurt makers using household items. (My brother cooked a batch by placing a glass jar on his DSL digital modem. I don't recommend this approach, though. I did, however, wanted to illustrate that it can be done without spending money).
* Yogurt starter: Trader Joe's Greek style yogurt. You're welcome to try anything you like but you've got to get pure yogurt variety. Avoid yogurt with milk fillers (it'll say 'milk fillers' right on the label), sugar, pectim, gum, starch etc. Whatever you get, the label should read 'milk, bacteria'. That's about it.
You may think be saying to yourself... what about 'Activa' or other store bought brands? Those have probiotics in them as well. Yes, they do, but not containing the same high concentrations of probiotics as home brewed. Typically processed yogurt is fermented only 4 to 8 hours. My home brewed is cooked 4X longer. Think how much more time it gives the bacterial to consume the sugar in milk and reproduce.
What to eat with yogurt?
Honey and golden raisins are my personal favorite. Fresh fruit like strawberries, blue berries etc. are nice too.
Will you have the same positive response? Honestly, noone really knows. All of these shared experiences are ancedotal, but it's worth a try.