5 Nutritious Add-ins For Your Crohns Recipes

Author: Sharon Dobson

Photo by Paul

Crohns recipes can play an important role in preventing Crohn's symptoms or flare ups, regardless if a person suffers from Crohn's ileitis or another form. It is no secret that the food a person ingests can have positive or negative affects on their digestive system and gastrointestinal tract.

However, just because a person with Crohn's has to watch what they eat, and omit various food products from their diet, doesn't mean they can't enjoy the foods they eat. The following are five foods that are generally considered safe for a Crohns recipes diet and can provide extra nutrition and/or flavour.

1. Honey - Honey is a natural sweetener that has healing properties. It is a good source of antioxidants and is ideal for treating diarrhea, as it encourages rehydration in the body and soothes the stomach. In addition, honey has free sugar molecules which actually improves brain function and reduces fatigue.

It is imperative that you purchase local raw honey to ensure you are receiving all of its nutrients and enzymes in your crohns recipes. The best place to look for this honey is in health stores.

Recipe tips - Honey is perfect for sweetening your tea and other beverages. Also consider using honey as spread for your bread, and as an alternative to sugar required in certain recipes.

2. Coconut oil - Coconut oil contains a significant amount of lauric acid. This acid is easy to digest, and also works to strengthen the immune system, allowing protection against bacterial, viral and fungal infections.

In addition, Coconut oil detoxifies the liver, and aids in building fats, lipoproteins, bile and hormones which are needed for digestion; thus creating a healthy digestive tract. Coconut oil encourages the absorption of food nutrients, and speeds up metabolism.

Recipe tips: Use coconut oil for cooking. Use coconut oil as the substitute in crohns recipes that call for margarine, butter or other unhealthy oils. In addition, when left in room temperature, virgin coconut oil solidifies and can be used as a spread for bread in place of butter or margarine.

3. Soy Products - Soy products such as soy milk, soy burgers, soy meats, and soy cheese, tempeh and tofu, are excellent sources of protein and are ideal replacements for dairy. Some believe soy helps to reduce bowel inflammation associated with Crohn's disease.

Recipe tips: Soy products come in many forms such as meats, burgers, cheese and milk. By substituting regular meat and dairy products for soy, and including dark leafy green vegetables, you can enjoy the meals you've always liked, and still obtain the nutrients you need. Try adding soy milk or soy vanilla milk to cereal, in tea or fruit smoothies, and top off your salad with soy cheese.

4. Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Extra virgin olive oil is vegetable based and an excellent addition to crohns recipes. This oil helps to protect your intestines as it contains potent antioxidants. Olive oil also increases the body's absorption of a number of vitamins including A, D, E, and K. Furthermore, it encourages faster healing and increases metabolism.

Recipe tips: Olive oil is a flavor enhancer and is a fantastic alternative to margarine or butter for recipes and as condiment. For instance, you can use it as a salad dressing.

5. Essential Fatty Acid Foods - Be sure to spice up your recipes with foods that are high in essential fatty acids, as they are known to prevent inflammation within the bowel. Good sources of such foods include dark green leafy vegetables, rapeseed, walnuts and flaxseed.

Recipe tips: Introduce salad to your diet, and don't be afraid to add nuts and seeds to recipes. For instance, if you have a cookie recipe you love, add some walnuts.

Remember, not everyone's Crohn's symptoms are triggered by the same foods. Therefore, make sure you find out what foods aggravate your condition, so you can avoid them. If you are having a difficult time finding crohns recipes that work for you, it's a good idea to take your concerns and questions to a qualified dietitian who can help you find answers, and start you on a diet that works for you.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/5-nutritious-addins-for-your-crohns-recipes-143135.html

About the Author

Grab your free copy of Sharon Dobson's brand new Crohn's Disease Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you discover more about acupuncture and crohns

Crohn’s Disease And Nutrition – What You Should Know

Photo by
Suat Eman

Those with Crohn’s disease know that one of the biggest worries they have is about getting the right nutrition. When the inflammation associated with Crohn’s flares up and symptoms get out of hand, the patient is often not getting what they need from the foods they eat. Once this problem goes on for a while, weight loss can happen, and the patient will become article continues here

Suggestions needed for knee pain...

I love running and getting outside for some exercise and fresh air. Among the many other health benefits I find that a regular routine of running helps me manage my stress and reduce the impact that has on my Crohn's symptoms.

Photo by Andy Newsom

Lately, however, I've noticed some pain in my knee which is concerning me. It doesn't hurt when I run but it does hurt afterward, climbing stairs and even bending down to pick something up off the floor. 
I know that there is a connection between Crohn's and Arthritis and I found a pretty informative article here.

Has anyone else had a similar issue? If so, what have you done about it? I'd like to stay away from drugs if possible.

Thanks for the suggestions! M

Clues to Gluten Sensitivity

Lisa Rayburn felt dizzy, bloated and exhausted. Wynn Avocette suffered migraines and body aches. Stephanie Meade's 4-year-old daughter had constipation and threw temper tantrums.

Some people claim that eating gluten products can cause health problems like body aches and chronic fatigue -- and even some behavioral problems in children. WSJ's Melinda Beck talks with Kelsey Hubbard about a new study that sheds light on what may be going on.

All three tested negative for celiac disease, a severe intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains. But after their doctors ruled out other causes, all three adults did their own research and article continues here

Easy Gluten Free Meals Made with Common Everyday Ingredients

I'm looking for suggestions for gluten free meals which don't require a lot of uncommon ingredients and are quick and easy to make. 

I find it challenging to limit gluten in my diet and still keep meals interesting. It's also hard to find some of the ingredients listed for gluten free recipes. We typically eat a lot of fish, turkey and chicken, because red meat is a trigger for me.

I made a nice vegetable soup a few weeks ago and I recently found a neat potato salad idea on line that I may try (see below).

What other easy gluten free meals have you tried with common household ingredients?

Shrimp, Egg and Potato Salad
Take a skinned baked potato with some shrimp, egg mayonnaise and mixed salad. Start by hard boiling the eggs, one they are down let them soak in cold water to cool off. Next heat up the potato in the microwave. Peel the eggs and mix with light mayo and small baby shrimp. Once the potato is done, open and top with the egg and shrimp salad and enjoy a very quick, nutritious and gluten free lunch.

I'd love to hear what you've tried, try them myself and share them here with others.

Image: nuchylee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Balance Your Nervous System and Stop Responding to Stress

For me stress is a big trigger for my Crohn's symptoms, so I'm always interested in learning about new techniques to limit stress and reduce the effects it has on my system. With two kids I need all the stress relief I can get :-)

Reflexercise is an easy, Step by Step Guide that teaches you how to Balance Your Nervous System Automatically, and Train Your Brain to Be Less Reactive to Stress.

This groundbreaking system teaches you to extinguish daily stress in your life. If you are suffering from chronic pain and you are ready to take action and make a change you need to check this out. Don't wait Click Here!

Since your diagnosis of Crohn's Disease how have you changed your diet?

Crohn's Disease: Diet and Nutrition

WebMD Feature

By Brenda Conaway

Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

Because Crohn's disease affects the gut and symptoms often occur after meals, you may wonder if certain foods cause or contribute to the disorder. Many experts wonder about this too and research looking into the connection between diet and Crohn’s is ongoing.



“At this point, we don’t have an ideal diet for Crohn’s, but we do know that certain types of foods can make symptoms worse or better,” says Joshua Korzenik, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Korzenik is the director for the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. To help ensure that you are eating a balanced diet and getting enough...article continues Here!

What's your favorite glutten free beer?

We tried some gluten free beer the other night and it was really pretty good! We tried "New Grist" it's made by Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee. It reminded both my husband and I of a good micro-brew. This beer uses sorghum and rice.

I found an interesting article on gluten free beer and have included a link to it Here!

If you've tried some other brands please let us know. We don't drink beer often but it's nice to know we can avoid gluten when we do.

Looking for feedback on: Intestinal Health Through Diet

Has anyone else read this book and tried the diet recommendations? The reviews at Amazon are pretty amazing but I'm wondering how restrictive the diet is.

Acupuncture And Crohns Disease - Does It Work?

Author: Sharon Dobson

You can have Crohn's disease for quite a long time before your doctor figures out what is wrong with you and gives you the correct diagnosis. This is because the disease has many confusing symptoms, and it can be diagnosed as many other things before the true cause of your misery is found. Your pain and problems may not make any sense until the true diagnosis of Crohn's is made. You may find that the treatments you are getting from your doctor are not enough for you, or you may find that you cannot get relief not matter what you try. Some patients begin to wonder if acupuncture and crohns relief might be things that can go together.



Crohn's disease can be diagnosed at almost any point during adulthood, but there the majority of sufferers find out they have it when they are teenagers. When one or both parents have Crohn's disease, it is likely that their children may develop it also. Ongoing studies are suggesting that Crohn's might also be a result of environment, as spouses are occasionally diagnosed. This would mean it is not just a genetic disease. In most cases, your diagnosis will mean changes in your lifestyle, but it is not normally fatal. There are drugs that are proven to help some patients, but others are looking for a different, more natural approach. This is when they may turn to acupuncture.



This practice has been around for centuries, and has helped patients with the symptoms of Crohn's. You won't know if it will help you unless you try it. This from of alternative medicine is based on the theory that the body is a mass of energy, and there are energy channels running through the body. These are called meridians. When they become blocked for any reason, the energy cannot run freely. This stops the body from healing itself, and that can lead to many health problems. Acupuncture uses tiny needles to activate points along these different meridians to release the energy so that it flows freely and allows the body to regain its balance.



Severe weight loss is a huge problem with those who have Crohn's. The intestines are often the main focus for the disease, and this is why many vitamins and nutrients are not absorbed into the body. Calories are not absorbed, and the body is just not getting what it needs to function properly. Crohn's does not just affect the intestines, however, as it can flare up at point along the digestive tract. When acupuncture is performed on someone with Crohn's disease, the points chosen for the needles will be those that lie along the meridians relating to the digestive system. The points can also be stimulated with the skilled hands of a chiropractor, where pressure rather than needles are used to stimulate the body.



The jury is out as to whether acupuncture and Crohns go together, but there are many that swear by this type of therapy. The best way to find out if it will work for you is to try for yourself. You can usually find a qualified acupuncturist in your own community. Keep in mind that you should continue to seek medical treatment while you are undoing acupuncture and crohns treatment to be sure your body is getting what it needs. Also remember to communicate how you are feeling with both your doctor and acupuncturist to ensure they both know your current condition.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/acupuncture-and-crohns-disease-does-it-work-122762.html
About the Author

By Sharon Dobson. Sign up for a free newsletter about managing Crohn's Disease naturally and discover more on acupuncture and crohns.

Medical Marijuana Benefits Crohn's Patients

While I'm not an advocate of illegal drug use I am very interested in the healing effects of Medical Marijuana and found this article to be very informative. I hope you do too...M

Canadians Living with Crohn's Disease Benefit from Using Medical Marijuana

Author: Bonnie Pranger

Marijuana, cannabis, marihuana, pot, weed - no matter what it is called, marijuana has been demonized for years as being an evil drug. Despite positive research from institutes of study in many countries, medical marijuana (not to be confused with cannabis for recreational use) is still a matter of strong debate. Oddly enough, the debate is hottest not between the general citizens of a country, but between the medical community and the respective governments.

In places where using medical marijuana is legal, studies are ongoing and often produce results that surprise many in the medical community. Others feel the results only serve to enforce the belief that marijuana is not the demon plant propaganda has said it is.

Canadians and Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (related to Crohn's disease) are serious problems for more over 170,000 Canadians. In fact, Canada has one of the highest rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the world. Sufferers may have persistent diarrhea, fever, cramping and abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding. Many lose their appetite, which can cause unhealthy weight loss, while some are plagued by nausea and vomiting. Crohn's disease can affect the joints, liver, skin and eyes, as well, and commonly causes great fatigue.

Crohn's disease is chronic; periods of remission are mixed with periods of intense activeness. Unfortunately, the medical community has been unable to find the cause of this disease, although they believe it has to do with an overactive immune system, initially triggered by outside influences. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) states:

"Many scientists now believe that the interaction of an outside agent (such as a virus or bacterium) with the body's immune system may trigger the disease, or that such an agent may cause damage to the intestinal wall, initiating or accelerating the disease process."

They further state that, "Because there is no cure for Crohn's disease, the goal of medical treatment is to suppress the inflammatory response. This step accomplishes two important goals: It allows the intestinal tissue to heal and it also relieves the symptoms of fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Once the symptoms are brought under control (this is known as inducing remission), medical therapy is used to decrease the frequency of disease flares (this is known as maintaining remission, or maintenance)." - CCFA

Medicinal Therapy for Crohn's Disease

Much of the traditional medication (the medical therapy mentioned by CCFA) used to treat Crohn's disease includes a mixture of anti-inflammatory, antibodies, immune modifiers/suppressants and corticosteroids. Indeed, traditional medical treatments become a cornucopia of pharmaceutical concoctions.

As with most man-made medicinal products, each treatment also causes its own symptoms. For instance, the immunosuppressive medicines can cause nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Steroids also cause these symptoms, with the addition of anxiety and depression, as well as bone thinning, peptic ulcers and other issues with prolonged usage.

Mesalamine, an anti-inflammatory, can cause mild side effects like hair loss, headaches and itching. However, it can also cause severe side effects such as pancreatitis, blood disorders, fatigue and tremors. Kidney dysfunction and IBD-like symptoms are also possible.

Medical Marijuana for Canadian Crohn's Disease Sufferers

Thanks to a number of organizations, medical institutes and studies, Canada has relaxed the laws on medical marijuana. It is legal for Canadian Crohn's disease suffers to have a medical marijuana excemption with a written doctor's prescription.

Many studies have proven that medical marijuana helps as an anti-inflammatory. Users of medical marijuana for Crohn's disease found themselves able to reduce - if not eliminate - the need for steroid treatment and to reduce the immunosuppressive medications, as well as Mesalamine.
A study in 2005 by the University of Bath in England noted that "some extracts from cannabis, known as cannabinoids, closely resemble molecules that occur naturally in our body, and by developing treatments that target this system, we can help the body recover from some of the effects of these diseases." Although the University doesn't condone or support the use of medical marijuana, they are focusing on more research to narrow down the actual effects of cannabinoids on Crohn's disease.

For actual Crohn's disease sufferers, however, the evidence is overwhelming. A pilot study by the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, reported at the International Association for Cannabis as Medicine with the following results:

"For all signs and symptoms [of Crohn's disease] evaluated in the study, the patients described marked improvements with the use of cannabis. Beneficial effects were reported for appetite, pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, activity, and depression. Patients also reported that cannabis use resulted in weight gain, fewer stools per day and fewer flare-ups of less severity."

Medical marijuana has been used to increase appetite, decrease depression, anxiety, vomiting and weight loss, as well as used as a pain suppressant for many individuals with other diseases. Multiple sclerosis, chronic pain sufferers and cancer patients have all found these benefits with the use of medical marijuana. Therefore, it is no surprise that cannabis is also being used by Canadians who suffer from Crohn's disease for the same symptoms.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/canadians-living-with-crohns-disease-benefit-from-using-medical-marijuana-2664342.html


About the Author

About The Author: Bonnie Pranger promotes the Health Canada Medical Marijuana Program through Medicinal-Marijuana.ca by helping connect qualified patients with designated growers across Canada. We provide information, support and resources to all Canadians who would like to access the medical marijuana program of Canada. Visit online today.

Tired of being Tired

Sometimes I just feel exhausted. I am a mother of two and I work all day so between the kids, house and work it's easy to forget that my body is also battling my disease. Feeling tired and exahusted is another part of living with Crohns.

But there are steps you can take to limit the effects of stress on your body and to ensure you are getting the rest and nutrients you need to produce all the energy you need.

I found a great article on CD, stress and fatigue and you can read more about it Here!

Vegtable Soup Makes You Feel Good!

Today I'm trying a vegetable soup for dinner. I went to the farmer's market in town to select some fresh vegetables. For the soup I selected, celery, turnip,potatoes,carrots, white carrots, cabbage and squash. Chicken and vegetable broth along with some tomato sauce completes the soup.

I select my broth carefully and look to make sure there is as little sodium as possible.

I’ve been working on it all day and the house smells very good. It’s a gray, rainy day in Maine so it seemed like a great day for soup.

Excercise Helps Manage Symptoms of Crohn's

I love running, hiking, skiing and working out at th gym. Beyond the obvoius health benefits, I've found that staying fit and healthy helps me avoid flare ups and reduce stress.

I found this great article that explains the benefits of regular excercise and the effect it can have on managing symptoms of Crohn's Disease.

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. For people living with a chronic illness like Crohn’s disease, exercise can also help manage symptoms more effectively. According to New York-based nutritionist Samantha Heller, MS, RD, for people with Crohn's disease, “there are many benefits to exercise.”

Article Continues Here!

Mom was right when she said "Eat your Broccoli"

Vegetable fibres could help in fight against Crohn's disease

27 August 2010
Fibres found in vegetables such as broccoli and plantain can prevent bacteria from penetrating cells of the gut, considered to be a key stage in the onset of Crohn’s disease, according to a study part-funded by the Wellcome Trust.

To continue reading Click Here!