For people living with Crohn’s disease, it can be difficult to stick to a healthy eating plan when you’re on the go. You probably won’t find Crohn’s-friendly snacks from gas stations or convenience stores. That is why health experts encourage you to always pack snacks that are safe and healthy for your condition.
Each person living with Crohn’s disease has their own particular food tolerances and taste preferences. It is necessary to keep track of what you eat because certain foods may affect the digestive tract differently. While there is no specific diet for Crohn’s disease, there are nutrient-dense foods that are beneficial to consume if you have the condition. It can be beneficial to keep a food journal, as monitoring which foods make your gut happy vs. unhappy can help you choose better meals and snacks moving forward. Additionally, eating the right foods can help you manage digestive flare-ups.
Although there isn’t a perfect diet to follow if you have Crohn’s disease, you can consult with a dietitian for help. Consider experimenting with the following Crohn’s-friendly snacks that are tasty and easy to digest.
Rice Crackers
Rice is one of the most tolerated sources of carbohydrates if you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Health experts consider it an IBD-friendly food, noting that most people do not experience gut inflammation after eating it. When buying rice, make sure to purchase low-fiber white rice because brown rice and wild rice may not benefit your condition. You can easily make rice cakes, rice crackers, and rice pudding with rice. Purchase unsalted rice crackers from the store and top it with avocado, peanut butter, or hummus for a filling, Crohn’s-friendly snack.
Bananas
Bananas are easy to enjoy if you have Crohn’s disease, and they make for an easy travel snack, no matter what symptoms you experience. Pack one or two in your bag and get on the move! According to dietitians, you can eat bananas at almost any stage of ripeness, except for the very green types. Bananas are truly the exception if you have Crohn’s disease because they are easy for the body to digest. You can add more protein and healthy fats by pairing them with some healthy peanut butter.
Hummus
If you want a higher-calorie snack option, this classic chickpea dip can be a great option, especially if you have a hard time maintaining weight. A small container of two to three tablespoons of hummus is a perfect on-the-go snack that is Crohn’s-friendly. Since you probably do not want to eat hummus with a spoon, cohoe some crackers that don’t aggravate your digestive system. As mentioned earlier, rice crackers can be a great option, but plant pretzels can also help you avoid a flare-up.
Applesauce
People with inflammatory bowel disorders typically have to avoid raw fruits, but cooked fruits without peels are usually fine, more often than not. Applesauce is very easy to digest and safe to eat, especially after a flare-up. Applesauce contains lots of potassium and vitamin C, especially if you make your own applesauce. Store bought applesauce can be tricky because a lot of it contains added sugar. You can make your own by clicking here, or you can search for healthier varieties in the store.
Avocado
According to dietitians, avocado is one of the best superfoods for people living with Crohn’s disease. It contains lots of unsaturated fats and other nutrients, including potassium, vitamins C & E, and magnesium. Similar to bananas, avocados are very easy for the body to digest and tolerate. Avocados are also versatile, and you can eat them fresh with a little sea salt, pureed on top of rice crackers, as guacamole, or incorporate them into smoothies.
Peanut Butter On Toast
If you have Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or another inflammatory bowel disease, you should obtain your dietary fat from heart-healthy sources. Nut butters, nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil are great sources of heart-healthy fats. Peanut butter on toast is a great snack if you have Crohn’s, but make sure that the bread fits within a low-residue diet. Low-fiber white bread tends to be a better option for people with Crohn’s disease, especially if symptoms are severe. If you don’t enjoy peanut butter, you can opt for cashew butter, almond butter, and other nut butters.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
