The trigger foods that cause various symptoms of Crohn’s disease will differ from person to person. To chart out a diet plan and certain dietary tips for Crohn’s disease, you must know the foods that trigger your symptoms. However, based on the data collected from various patients, here is a list of foods that are most likely to aggravate the symptoms during flares of Crohn’s disease. One or more of these foods may trigger it in many people. Some of the listed food items are:

• Alcohol: This includes beer, wine and all types of mixed drinks
• Fat-rich sources: Butter, margarine, mayonnaise, oils etc.
• All carbonated beverages
• All stimulating beverages like coffee, tea and chocolates
• Corn
• Dairy products: This needs to be avoided if you are intolerant to lactose
• Fried foods: These can be fatty
• Fiber-rich foods: Whole grains, brans, raw fruits, and vegetables
• Gas-producing foods: These can be legumes, lentils, and beans or vegetables like cabbage, onions, broccoli, etc
• Nuts and seed-based products: Include peanut butter or any other nut butters
• Pork and red meat
• Spicy foods

1. Identify trigger foods
Once the foods that cause the flare-up in the symptoms are identified, a plan to either avoid them or to consume them through an alternate method can be worked out. New recipes or different cooking styles can make their effects more tolerable. But this requires a lot of experimentation to know what works best for you.

2. Bowel triggers
Also, it is required to make a note of foods that are low residue while treating Crohn’s disease. There are specific foods which add residue to the patient’s stool. A Crohn’s disease patient should be put on a diet plan which is low on such foods. If an individual is suffering from a small-bowel Crohn’s disease, his lower small intestine will be narrowing. In such cases, symptoms like abdominal pain, cramps, and diarrhea can be lessened with a low-fiber, low-residue diet. Although not backed with scientific evidence, it is believed that a low-residue diet also helps to reduce the frequency of bowel movements in some people. Some of the foods that are specifically required to be avoided on a low-residue diet include corn hulls, raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and various seeds. It is very important to follow these dietary tips for Crohn’s disease.

3. Keep a food diary
One way to track what to eat and what not to eat is by keeping a daily food diary. This can help you to identify the “trigger foods” and thereby self-manage the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Avoiding such foods during an active disease will give you better control over its symptoms. This is not only true for Crohn’s disease but also on any regular day to track the intake of a balanced diet counting your calories, carbohydrates, protein, fats, and water. Once the daily diary of food servings consumed, and symptoms observed is tracked for a few weeks, it can be discussed with a dietician. This will give insights into your body weight; if the body is getting the essential nutrients, if the meal intake is a well-balanced diet, if any supplements are required, etc. This leads to the body getting good nutrition thereby aiding the body to heal itself.