Crohn's Disease Nutrition
Being a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease whose common symptoms include diarrhea, cramping, weight loss, fever bleeding and abdominal pain. It is a disease which is more prevalent in the developed world with approximately some 2 million people feared to have it.
Since Crohn’s disease has tendency to reduce the appetite of the victims, as well as weight loss and also reduced rate of the body to absorb mineral salt and vitamins, it is quite important for every victim to maintain a healthy diet and proper nutrition. Managing the disease well means you will have to restrict yourself to certain specific foods. You need to see your nutritionist to find the best diet that can help you cope with this condition.
Because this condition has no cure, it heavily relies on immunosuppressive drugs, steroids, antibiotics and proper nutrition for treatment. You do not have a choice but to adhere to a strict nutritional guide that will help mitigate the effects of this disease.
Good health for everyone means eating right in terms of the quantity and quality of food we take in everyday. But for people with Crohn’s disease, it is a must that they eat right since this condition is known to deplete the body of important nutrients. Intakes of enough protein, calories, vitamins (A, D, C, B-12) is mandatory. In addition, folic acid and mineral salts such as calcium and zinc are also required for one to stay healthy.
You need to especially include the following foods in your diet: fruits sand vegetables, dairy, cereals and grains and meat or other protein sources. You must also observe how certain foods affect your body for you to come up with a proper diet. Try to eliminate those foods that exacerbate your symptoms.
The tips below will help you stay healthy if adhered to.
-Partake of three meals a day aside from three smaller meals everyday
-Make sure you have a source of protein at every meal. This could be meat, chicken, egg or tofu.
-Do include dairy products which not only provide protein but also calories and vitamins
-Remember also to eat foods with extra fats as advised by your doctor. Fat-rich foods include nuts, peanut butter, and margarine and canola oil. Fats provide more calories (twice) than even carbohydrates or proteins.
-Also remember to take plenty of vitamins in every meal.