Even when you’re on a treatment plan for Crohn’s disease and have been in remission for a while, it’s possible to experience a flare. During a flare, you usually need to adjust what you eat, even if you’ve been sticking to non-trigger foods, says Adiana Castro, RDN, a registered dietitian specializing in gut health and the owner of Compass Nutrition in New York City.
“When you are in an active flare, you want to aim for low-fiber and bland whole foods,” she says. “This will help provide nutrient density but won’t provide bulk since the digestive tract is inflamed.”
Here are five foods, along with three easy pairings for meals, that fit with this approach.
When dealing with a flare, sticking with simple and uncomplicated foods tends to be the best strategy, with a focus on cooked, soft options like peeled mashed potatoes.
Mashed potatoes (without the fiber-rich skins, which can irritate the gut) can feel like a comfort food while also being highly digestible, says Castro. Also, potatoes are a good source of potassium — a mineral that tends to get depleted when you have frequent bouts of diarrhea.
2. Baked Apples
In general, sugary treats can lead to inflammation for those with Crohn’s disease, and they may lead to worsened symptoms during a flare, says Nayana George, MD, a gastroenterologist at Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute in Florida. But you don’t have to skip a little sweetness completely: Try popping a peeled, cored apple into the oven until it softens.
Leaving the peels on can provide too much fiber during a flare, so a peeled apple is a better choice. Also, baking the fruit is similar to cooking vegetables, providing a softer consistency and making it more digestible, Dr. George says. If you prefer, you can sprinkle a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg on them for more sweetness and flavor.
3. Pasta
Another soft, cooked option that can feel comforting without overdoing it on fiber is pasta, says Castro. If you’re sensitive to gluten, she adds that there are many gluten-free pasta options as well. It’s usually best to skip the tomato sauce on top, since it might be too acidic and contains skins and seeds that could irritate your digestive system. But you could add a small amount of butter and some cooked vegetables to make a simple, nourishing dish instead.
4. Chicken Breast
Another simple, easy food when you have a flare is skinless chicken breast, Castro says.
You prepare this in a number of ways, such as poached, baked, grilled, or stir-fried. What’s more, chicken breast is high in protein, which offers numerous benefits for those with Crohn’s, including better fluid balance, tissue repair, and immune support. Adequate protein is crucial during a flare to help promote healing in the digestive tract.
5. Soup or Bone Broth
Any type of warm liquid is very soothing to the gut, Castro says, which means soups may help tame symptoms while still providing beneficial nutrients to your body. Also, if you’re choosing a soup like chicken noodle, for instance, you will have cooked vegetables and chicken breast already in the soup, along with the broth.
If you just want broth on its own, try a bone broth, which tends to have more protein and also contains calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus — minerals that support bone health. That’s important for people with Crohn’s disease, who have an increased risk of osteoporosis due to inflammation and certain medications.