Crohn's Disease Dietary Therapy

Fiber

Every vegetable, grain or fruit has fiber in it.  It is what gives a plant its specific shape.  Fiber generally comes in two types, insoluble and soluble.  Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water but rather moves through the colon unchanged, retaining water and providing bulk and regularity. Wheat fiber is an example of insoluble fiber.  Soluble fiber, on the other hand, does dissolve in water.  Oats are very high in soluble fiber.  Soluble fiber is the primary nutrient for the huge number of good bacteria that reside in the gut.  The very best of these soluble fibers are called prebiotics.  These prebiotic fibers have been shown to be fermented by the good bacteria in the bowel and, in so doing, produce multiple health benefits.  Fermentation means that the soluble fiber is used by the good colon bacteria as a fuel and allows them to grow and multiply.

National authorities and diet experts recommend the following daily intake of fiber derived from plants.  The numbers are for the average man or woman and will obviously depend on body size and weight.

    Men:  30 grams or more

    Women:  25 grams or more

Counting fiber should not be difficult.  Every packaged food will have grams of fiber listed on the label.  For fresh vegetables and fruits, you can go to the Fiber Content of Foods at jacksongi.com to get a fiber count on virtually any foods.

People with Crohn’s Disease may have to be careful when they increase fiber intake.  A Crohn’s patient should increase fiber gradually, so that the intestine becomes accustomed to it.  Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts), beans, spicy foods and any drinks that contain caffeine may have to be used sparingly until their effect in the gut is known.  Harmless temporary bloating or gas may otherwise occur.