Crohn’s Disease Diet: What to Eat During a Flare and in Remission

By Anna Curran, RN, BSN, PHN · Last reviewed October 2026

There is no single Crohn’s disease diet that works for everyone. Food does not cause Crohn’s, but what you eat can affect your symptoms and your nutrition. Many people can eat a fairly normal, balanced diet in remission, then switch to gentler, lower-fiber foods during a flare.

The goal is simple: eat enough, drink enough and avoid the foods that bother you. Here is how to do that, step by step.

Why There Is No One Crohn’s Disease Diet

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation says the best eating plan depends on your symptoms, where your inflammation is, your nutrition needs, your medicines and which foods you tolerate. NIDDK notes that researchers have not found that specific foods cause or worsen Crohn’s symptoms for everyone.

That is why one person can eat salad with no trouble while another has cramps for hours. Your plan should be built around you.

Be careful with diets online that promise to heal or cure Crohn’s. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation notes that no diet has been proven to prevent or control IBD. Cutting out whole food groups can also put you at risk for malnutrition.

Eating During a Flare

When your gut is inflamed, it may handle certain foods poorly. Many people do better with softer, simpler foods that are easier to digest.

Try smaller, more frequent meals

Mayo Clinic suggests that five or six small meals a day may feel better than two or three large ones. Eat in a calm setting and take your time.

Choose easier-to-digest foods

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation suggests these options during a flare:

Refined grains: white bread, white rice, white pasta and oatmeal
Lean proteins: eggs, fish, chicken, turkey and tofu
Smooth nut butters instead of whole nuts or seeds
Low-fiber fruits: bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew and cooked fruit
Well-cooked vegetables that are peeled and seedless, such as potatoes, squash and cucumbers

Foods that may bother you during a flare

Mayo Clinic lists foods that often cause trouble for people with Crohn’s:

Fatty and fried foods, and processed meats
High-fiber foods, such as popcorn, seeds and nuts
Raw vegetables, fruit with seeds and unpeeled fruit
Dairy, if lactose bothers you
Alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen diarrhea
Carbonated drinks, which can cause gas

Not every food on this list will bother you. Use it as a starting point, not a rule.

Low-Residue and Low-Fiber Eating

Your doctor may suggest a low-fiber or low-residue diet for a while. Mayo Clinic explains that a low-residue diet reduces the size and number of stools. A low-fiber diet may also be advised if you have a narrowed area in the bowel, called a stricture.

Why it matters with strictures

A stricture can trap rough, high-fiber foods. This can cause pain, bloating, nausea or even a blockage. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation notes that you may need a low-fiber or liquid diet until the stricture is treated.

What low-fiber eating looks like

MedlinePlus describes a low-fiber diet that often includes:

White bread, white pasta and crackers with less than 2 grams of fiber per serving
Tender, well-cooked meat, fish, poultry and eggs
Smooth peanut butter and tofu
Cooked or canned vegetables without skins or seeds, like carrots, green beans and peeled potatoes
Applesauce, canned fruit (not in heavy syrup) and very ripe bananas or melon

It usually limits whole grains, brown rice, popcorn, nuts, seeds, beans, peas, berries, dried fruit and tough meats. Your provider or dietitian can tell you how much fiber is right for you. MedlinePlus notes that a daily limit is often 10 to 15 grams.

Bringing fiber back

When you feel better, ask your care team if you can add fiber back. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation suggests adding one new fiber-rich food about every three days. Cooking vegetables until tender and removing peels and seeds can help too.

Drink Enough Fluids

Diarrhea pulls water and salts out of your body. Dehydration can sneak up fast during a flare.

Tips from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and Mayo Clinic:

Aim for urine that is clear or light yellow.
Water is the best choice. Broth and oral rehydration drinks can also help.
Dilute fruit juice and sports drinks, since too much sugar can worsen diarrhea.
Sip slowly. Skip straws, which can add gas.
Very cold drinks may cause cramps for some people.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you cannot keep liquids down, feel dizzy or confused, have a racing heart, or pass little or no urine. Also go right away for signs of a bowel blockage: cramping belly pain, a swollen belly, vomiting, and not being able to pass gas or stool.

Eating Enough

Many people with Crohn’s eat less because eating leads to pain or a bathroom rush. Over time, this can lead to weight loss and malnutrition. NIDDK notes that getting enough nutrients can help prevent problems like malnutrition and slowed growth in children.

If you are losing weight, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation suggests adding 250 to 500 calories a day and talking with your provider. Some simple ways to add calories:

Smoothies or shakes made with tolerated ingredients
Snacks like a banana with smooth nut butter
Adding a little oil or butter to cooked foods if fat does not bother you

Crohn’s can also make it harder to absorb certain vitamins and minerals, such as iron, vitamin B12, calcium and vitamin D. Your doctor may check your levels and suggest a supplement. Talk with your doctor before taking any vitamin or supplement.

Eating in Remission

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation notes that many people with IBD can eat a normal diet in remission. A balanced plate with a variety of foods supports your overall health. NIDDK says your doctor may recommend more fruits and vegetables, since a variety of healthy foods may support healthy gut bacteria.

Some people with strictures or past surgery need a modified diet long term. Ask your care team what is right for your situation.

Keep a Food Journal

A food journal is one of the most useful tools you have. NIDDK, Mayo Clinic and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation all suggest it.

Each day, write down:

What you ate and drank, and how much
The time you ate
Symptoms afterward, such as pain, gas, bloating or diarrhea
How you felt overall

After a few weeks, patterns may start to show. Bring your journal to your doctor or dietitian so you can look at it together.

Work With a Registered Dietitian

A registered dietitian can help you build a plan that avoids your triggers but still meets your needs. This matters most if you are losing weight, avoiding many foods or thinking about an elimination diet.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation advises doing elimination diets only with help from your doctor and a registered dietitian. If you cut out a food group like dairy, a dietitian can help you replace nutrients like calcium and vitamin D. Ask your gastroenterologist for a referral to a dietitian who works with IBD.

Frequently Asked Questions

What foods should I avoid with Crohn’s disease?

It depends on you. Common triggers include fatty or fried foods, high-fiber foods like nuts and seeds, dairy if lactose bothers you, alcohol, caffeine and fizzy drinks. A food journal can show which ones affect you.

Is there a diet that cures Crohn’s disease?

No. No diet has been proven to cure or control Crohn’s disease. Diet can help manage symptoms and nutrition alongside your medical treatment.

Can I eat fruits and vegetables with Crohn’s?

Many people can, especially in remission. During a flare or with a stricture, peeled, seedless and well-cooked options are usually easier to tolerate.

Should I take vitamins if I have Crohn’s?

Some people need them because Crohn’s can affect how nutrients are absorbed. Ask your doctor to check your levels before starting any supplement.

The Bottom Line

There is no single Crohn’s disease diet, and food does not cause Crohn’s. During a flare, small meals and softer, lower-fiber foods may be easier on your gut, and a low-fiber diet may be needed if you have a stricture. Drink plenty of fluids and make sure you are eating enough. A food journal and a registered dietitian can help you build a plan that fits your body.