Dietary Advice To Prevent Crohn's Disease Flare-Ups

Eat Smaller Meals More Frequently

Rather than eating three large meals a day, experts recommend that individuals with Crohn's disease eat smaller meals more frequently. The size of a meal can make as big a difference as the actual nutritional content in the food. If an individual's portions are too big, they are more likely to experience intestinal distress. Experts recommend having five set times to eat every day: a small breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus two snack times. Each snack time should be about halfway through breakfast and lunch, and then halfway through lunch and dinner. 

When portioning out food, individuals do not necessarily need to use a measuring cup. They can use their fist for comparison. An ideal meal should be around the size of a fist. In addition to preventing flare-ups, eating small meals can reduce the frequency and seriousness of intestinal cramping. When patients start doing this, they should keep a food diary. This diary should record what they ate, when they ate, and if any symptoms occurred. Patients can discuss this food diary with their doctor to see if they can identify specific trigger foods.

Get more information on designing a diet for Crohn's disease flare-ups now.