One of the best ways to manage Crohn’s disease is to understand how food affects you. Nutrition not only impacts Crohn’s disease symptoms but can also help prevent serious complications like weight loss and malnutrition.
That’s why learning how to cook Crohn’s disease-friendly recipes can go a long way in your care plan. While no single diet works the same way for everyone, certain foods and cooking techniques tend to be easier on the gut for those living with Crohn’s disease.
Cooking should be simple (and fun), regardless of your dietary needs.
Here are six Crohn’s disease-friendly recipes that are easy to make for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They’re sure to keep you satisfied and feeling your best all day long.
These recipes are intended to be used when you are NOT in a flare. Keep in mind that you may need to substitute any ingredients that may be triggers for you.
Breakfast recipes
Banana overnight oats
Oatmeal is often an easy-to-eat food for people with Crohn’s disease, and it’s a healthy (and filling) option for breakfast. One of the easiest ways to make oatmeal is via overnight oats — you simply combine all the ingredients in a mason jar and refrigerate the mixture overnight.
Because dairy can be a trigger for flares or symptoms, consider using a lactose free milk like Lactaid or Fairlife, or soy milk, which may be easier on your stomach. Bananas are alsolow FODMAPand Crohn’s-friendly.
“FODMAP” is an acronym for:
The aim of a low FODMAP diet is to cut out a group of sugars that may not be well absorbed by your GI tract.
Start to finish:10 minutes
Makes:2 servings
Ingredients
Instructions
Avocado toast topped with scrambled eggs
For a more savory option, consider easy avocado toast with a twist — adding scrambled eggs on top for a boost of protein and nutrition. Eggs are high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, D, and E.
To make this dish super friendly for Crohn’s disease, opt for sourdough or gluten-free bread, both of which are great when it comes to managing flare-ups or keeping symptoms at bay.
Start to finish:15 minutes
Makes:1 serving
Lunch recipes
Strawberry, cucumber, and feta salad
This strawberry, cucumber, and feta salad is super refreshing and nutritious, and it takes less than 10 minutes to make — a great option for when you’re on the go.
You may want to substitute canned pears for strawberries if you are sensitive to the seeds or peel the cucumber if either of these are triggers for you.
For extra protein, we recommend topping the salad with sliced grilled chicken breast.
Meat and vegetable roll-ups
Meat and veggie roll-ups are another easy lunch you can throw together in less than 10 minutes.
These fun finger foods use low FODMAP vegetables to help you manage symptoms of Crohn’s disease. You can make them ahead of time and keep them in the fridge overnight, or you can enjoy them immediately after assembling them.
Thanks to its minimal ingredients, this dish can be particularly helpful for managing flare-ups. You may want to peel the veggies or substitute for any of these if they are triggers for you.
Dinner recipes
Baked lemon chicken and sweet potatoes
This no-fuss dish comes together in just one pan and is easy on your stomach but full of flavor.
Lean proteins like chicken are generally well-tolerated by people with Crohn’s disease. Plus, sweet potatoes are full of vitamin A. The turmeric in this dish adds anti-inflammatory properties, which can be helpful for settling down a flare-up.
Start to finish:1 hour, 30 minutes
Makes:3 servings
Crispy baked peanut tofu
With minimal prep required, this largely hands-off recipe is easy to make and friendly to those on vegetarian diets as well as those with Crohn’s disease.
It also allows you to enjoy crispy foods without frying, since fatty or greasy food can be a trigger for flare-ups or symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
Start to finish:1 hour, 40 minutes
If you’re looking to add some carbs to any of the above meals, try oats, brown rice, amaranth, quinoa, or other gluten-free products.
