Diet and Nutrition in Crohn Disease

Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow

• Why is good nutrition such a challenge for people with Crohn disease?
• What are nutrients and why are nutritional deficiencies such a hazard for those with Crohn disease?
• Is my diet to blame for my Crohn disease?
• I have had food allergies for many years, and now I have Crohn disease. Is there a connection?
• Will I have to change my diet? What can I eat that tastes good?
• Why does my doctor say I may need a special diet?
• What is an elemental diet?
• What is total parenteral nutrition, or TPN?
• Should I take vitamins?
• Does my medication affect my nutrition?
• Can I continue to drink alcohol with Crohn disease? What about other beverages?
• What else can I do to avoid problems?
• All these recommendations are a little overwhelming. Can I get some help?
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Why is good nutrition such a challenge for people with Crohn disease?

Most of us know that good nutrition is essential to good health. Good nutrition is even more important to people whose health is compromised by a chronic disease. When you have Crohn disease, maintaining good nutrition can be a real challenge.

Several factors contribute to nutritional problems in people with Crohn disease. When inflamed, the small intestine is not able to do its main job, which is absorbing nutrients from food. The degree of this impairment, called malabsorption, depends on the extent of inflammation and damage in the intestine.
 
To make matters worse, the intestinal inflammation and pain of the disease reduce your appetite, so you probably do not eat enough to supply your nutritional needs. Diarrhea further depletes important nutrients. Compounding the problem is the fact that people with a chronic illness such as Crohn disease require more calories and certain other nutrients than healthy people. The most common nutritional problem in people with Crohn disease is insufficient calorie intake.