Contents hide

Nutritional Goals for Managing Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract, but it usually appears in the small intestine and the first part of the large intestine.

The exact causes of Crohn’s disease are not known, but it is believed to be an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy body cells, causing inflammation.

Stress and eating certain foods can worsen symptoms, so you can get the 7-Day Meal Plan for Crohn’s Disease through the following paragraphs to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Nutritional Goals for Managing Crohn’s Disease

The goals of the diet for Crohn’s disease patients include consuming enough calories, proteins, vitamins and minerals, and avoiding fibers that can cause unwanted symptoms. (NIH, 2024)

This can be explained as follows:

Eat enough calories: to maintain a healthy weight and the energy needed to perform daily tasks and stay active.
Eat high-quality proteins: such as fish, poultry, eggs and legumes, which can help heal damaged tissues and maintain body organs.
Eat healthy fats: which contain omega-3 fatty acids that treat inflammation, such as salmon and mackerel.
Get vitamins and minerals: by eating low-fiber vegetables and fruits or natural juices and smoothies.
Fluids: Drink plenty of fluids to keep the body hydrated.
Small, multiple meals: throughout the day to avoid discomfort resulting from an empty stomach or heavy meals. (Caio, 2021)

Day-by-Day Meal Suggestions

Here’s a 7-day meal plan for Crohn’s disease to help you eat a delicious, balanced diet and manage your symptoms effectively:

Day 1

Breakfast: Eggs with veggies
Lunch: Tuna, rice and cucumber bowl
Dinner: Baked cod with veggies and quinoa
Snacks: Lucky Green smoothie and applesauce
Dessert: Peanut butter and banana cookies

Day 2

Breakfast: Oatmeal cookie smoothie
Lunch: Chicken and zucchini skillet with steamed white rice
Dinner: Baked chicken and carrots with cilantro-lime dressing. Mashed potatoes as a side.
Snacks: Poached eggs with salt and vinegar, applesauce and yogurt
Dessert: Cantaloupe sherbet

Day 3

Breakfast: Baked eggs with bell peppers and spinach; Rice cereal with peaches
Lunch: Ground turkey and sautéed vegetables
Dinner: Salmon cakes and one-pot potato and carrot soup
Snacks: Chocolate chips, peanut butter and bananas with creamy peanut butter sauce
Dessert: Creamy avocado popsicles

Day 4

Breakfast: Egg cups with sautéed vegetables
Lunch: Tuna rice and cucumber bowl
Dinner: Baked chicken and carrots with cilantro-lime sauce. Mashed potatoes on the side.
Snacks: Lucky green smoothie, applesauce
Dessert: Peanut butter and banana cookies

Day 5

Breakfast: Oatmeal cookie smoothie
Lunch: Chicken and zucchini in a skillet, with steamed white rice
Dinner: Baked cod and vegetables with quinoa
Snacks: Salt and vinegar poached eggs, applesauce and yogurt
Dessert: Cantaloupe sherbet

Day 6

Breakfast: Baked eggs with bell peppers and spinach; Rice cereal with peaches
Lunch: Ground turkey and sautéed vegetables
Dinner: Salmon cakes and one-pot potato and carrot soup
Snacks: Chocolate chips, peanut butter, and bananas with creamy peanut butter sauce
Dessert: Creamy avocado popsicles

Day 7

Breakfast: Egg cups with hash browns and veggies
Lunch: Tuna, rice, and cucumber bowl
Dinner: Baked chicken and carrots with cilantro-lime sauce. Mashed potatoes on the side.
Snacks: Lucky Green smoothie and applesauce
Dessert: Banana and peanut butter cookies.