8 Foods to Cut Back On or Cut Out to Help You Manage Crohn’s Disease

There’s still a lot doctors don’t know about how a person’s diet affects their Crohn’s disease. What is known, though, is that certain foods — for example, those containing dairy, high amounts of fat, or fiber — may worsen symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, urgent bowel movements, loss of appetite, and weight loss, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

Although there is no single diet to alleviate Crohn’s symptoms, cutting out (or back on) certain foods — like the ones on this list — could help you get some relief.

Once you take out a few foods, remember to add a few in. By only cutting out certain foods, you risk running low on essential nutrients that can help support your immune system and prevent disease.

Don’t assume you have to cut out all produce, for example. “People often cut out fruit and vegetables, or nuts and seeds, thinking they can’t eat them at all, when the answer could be to change the textures of these foods so they can be easily digested,” says Barbara Olendzki, MPH, RD, an associate professor of medicine and the director of the Center for Applied Nutrition at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in Worcester.

Below are eight tips to guide you through making the healthiest food choices that won’t irritate your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Just be sure to discuss any dietary changes with your doctor or dietitian first.