Is Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease Treatable With a Diet?

A perfect visual element to Crohn's nutrition is the food pyramid. However, because traditional foods provide a negative consequence instead of a healthy, balanced consequence, the Crohn's diet showcases a new version of the pyramid.

Starting off at the bottom, the base on which all meals should start off of, is vegetables. However, as described earlier, vegetables, as nutrient dense as they are, are texturally dense as well, which means that one must steam these vegetables. In conclusion, the base of the pyramid is steamed vegetables. In fact, two servings a day of steamed vegetables is suggested by the Crohn's disease diet.

There is another base, however, and not just one that makes up the Crohn's nutrition pyramid-protein. The Crohn's diet proposes three to four servings a day. However, note that processed foods are a no-no. Take turkey for example. If turkey breast, thighs, or even a whole turkey is bought, and is cooked, roasted-understand that fried proteins are not considered proteins due to the unhealthiness of frying-or what have you at home by one's own doings, then the protein is perfect in regards to Crohn's nutrition. Although the pyramid does suggest protein, stay away from processed proteins-turkey slices often contain preservatives that may contain sugars, laxatives, or other harmful "anti-Crohn's diet" consumables.

The third pillar of the pyramid in the Crohn's disease diet is actually vegetables again, however in a juiced form. Healthy shakes, that may be full of protein powder or what have you, should contain mostly vegetables. The reason why Crohn's nutrition emphasizes liquid veggies is because it is the perfect inverse of density-high nutrient density and very low texture density, because it is a liquid, the lowest texture density possible, for it is not even a solid anymore.

Again, note that the Crohn's disease diet pyramid does not promote processed foods, and it is easy to be tricked. V-8 is a nutrient filled shake full of vegetables. However, it is not encouraged because of the amount of preservatives in the drink-V-8 is not even in the refrigerated section because of how much preservatives fill the bottle.

The pyramid then continues onward to, again, vegetables-raw, this time-and meats, proteins, again. Because of the high texture density in both foods, it should only be consumed a few time s a week, says the Crohn's diet, which will help get one's body used to higher dense foods. Also, meats are acidic, and is another reason why it should be limited. However, the amount of nutrients from both sources are too high to be ignored or replaced.

Next is fruits. Although Crohn's nutrition discourages such sweet, fibrous foods, the amount of nutrients, again, are too valuable to cut out. Again, note moderation.

Even higher up the pyramid is simple carbs, like pasta and breads, which should be limited to about once a month. Although dangerous, it is difficult to eliminate such basics foods that make up a traditional diet. Also, food with an incredibly high texture density must be thought of just as bad as simple carbs and processed foods, which may include nuts, seeds, and even corn.