7-day Meal Plan For Crohn's Disease
Living with Crohn's disease and seeking dietary guidance? Our 7-day meal plan for Crohn's disease focuses on gut-friendly foods. Learn how to create meals that are gentle on your digestive system and turn them into a Crohn's-friendly shopping list. Let's eat for digestive comfort!
Meal plan grocery list
- Eggs
- Spinach
- Bananas
- Chicken breasts or thighs
- White rice
- Carrots
- Salmon fillets
- Quinoa
- Zucchini
- Low-fat yogurt
- Ripe pears
- Oatmeal
- Almond milk
- Chia seeds
- Blueberries
- Turkey slices
- Avocado
- Soft whole grain tortillas
- Tofu
- Basmati rice
- Bell peppers
- Ripe bananas
- Lactose-free yogurt
- Strawberries
- Cottage cheese
- Diced peaches
- Ground flaxseeds
- Cucumber
- Light vinaigrette
- Cod fillets
- Sweet potatoes
- Green beans
- Rice cakes
- Almond butter
- Kiwi
- Gluten-free granola
- Mashed potatoes
- Lean ground turkey
- Peas
- Shrimp
- Butternut squash
- Apple slices
- Cinnamon
- Greek yogurt
- Honey
- Sliced almonds
- Mixed greens
- Tilapia fillets
- Brussels sprouts
- Peanut butter
- Feta cheese
- Gluten-free bread
- Grilled vegetables
- Lemon-tahini dressing
- Slow-cooked chicken soup
- Rice noodles
- Orange slices
- Walnuts
- Chia seeds
- Berries
- Corn tortillas
- Guacamole
- Steak
- Yogurt parfait
- Granola
- Sliced strawberries
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Meal plan overview
Living with Crohn's disease? Our 7-day meal plan is designed to ease digestive discomfort. It focuses on gut-friendly foods that are gentle and nourishing.
This plan aims to reduce inflammation and symptoms, offering a variety of easy-to-digest options for better digestive health.
Foods to eat
- Lean Proteins: Choose lean protein sources like skinless poultry, fish, eggs, and tofu for muscle maintenance and repair.
- Low-Fiber Vegetables: Opt for cooked and peeled vegetables such as carrots, zucchini, and spinach to minimize fiber intake.
- White Rice and Pasta: Include well-cooked white rice and pasta as they are easier to digest compared to whole grains.
- Low-Fiber Fruits: Choose peeled and seedless fruits like bananas, melons, and applesauce for a lower fiber content.
- Probiotic-Rich Foods: Consume yogurt, kefir, and fermented foods to support gut health and balance the microbiome.
- Smooth Nut Butters: Include smooth nut butters like almond or peanut butter for a source of healthy fats and protein.
- Well-Cooked Eggs: Incorporate well-cooked eggs as they are a good source of protein and easy to digest.
- Hydration: Stay well-hydrated with water and herbal teas to support overall digestive health.
✅ Tip
Experiment with cooked fruits and vegetables, which may be easier to digest than raw ones.
Foods not to eat
- High-Fiber Foods: Limit high-fiber foods like whole grains, nuts, seeds, and raw vegetables as they may exacerbate symptoms.
- Spicy Foods: Avoid spicy foods, as they can irritate the digestive tract and potentially trigger symptoms.
- Dairy (if lactose intolerant): If lactose intolerant, limit or avoid dairy products to prevent digestive discomfort.
- High-Fat Foods: Limit high-fat foods, especially fried and greasy items, as they may be harder to digest.
- Caffeine: Limit or avoid caffeinated beverages, as they can stimulate the digestive system and potentially worsen symptoms.
- Alcohol: Limit alcohol consumption, as it may irritate the digestive tract and interact with medications.
- Processed Foods: Minimize intake of processed and packaged foods that may contain additives and preservatives.
- Artificial Sweeteners: Avoid artificial sweeteners, as they may cause digestive issues in some individuals.
Main benefits
The 7-Day Meal Plan For Crohn's Disease is tailored to support individuals with Crohn's disease by focusing on foods that are easy on the digestive system. This plan emphasizes low-fiber, well-cooked options, including lean proteins and refined grains. By minimizing potential triggers and incorporating nutrient-dense choices, the plan aims to support digestive health and alleviate symptoms associated with Crohn's disease.
Fat
Carbs
Protein
Fiber
Other
How to budget on this meal plan
To budget this Crohn's disease meal plan, focus on homemade options and bulk purchases. Prepare clear broths (chicken, beef, vegetable) at home using affordable ingredients, and store in bulk for convenience. Opt for larger containers of apple and clear fruit juices, avoiding individual packs to save money. Homemade Jell-O and popsicles can be more cost-effective than store-bought versions, and you can control the ingredients to avoid red or purple dyes. Buying herbal tea in bulk can also reduce costs. Remember to prioritize hydration with water, a no-cost option, as a mainstay in the diet.
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Extra tips ✨
Any healthy snack ideas?
These gentle-on-the-stomach snacks can be suitable for Crohn's disease:
- Banana or cooked apple slices
- Plain rice cakes
- Scrambled eggs
- Boiled potatoes
- Gluten-free toast with avocado
- Yogurt with honey
- Peeled cucumber slices
What should I drink on this meal plan?
Those with Crohn's disease should choose beverages that are easy on the digestive system. Water is essential for hydration. Herbal teas, like peppermint or ginger, can soothe the digestive tract. Aloe vera juice might help with inflammation. Bone broth is nutritious and usually well-tolerated. It's important to avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, or high-sugar drinks.
How to get even more nutrients?
Managing Crohn's disease with diet involves creating meal plans that minimize inflammation and intestinal distress. During flare-ups, low-fiber foods may be necessary to reduce symptoms. Incorporating easily digestible proteins like fish and eggs can aid in nutrition without overstressing the digestive system. Avoiding high-fat and potentially irritating foods like dairy (if lactose intolerant) and spicy foods is also key. Nutrient-dense, soft-cooked vegetables can be included as tolerated.
Meal plan suggestions
7-Day Meal Plan for Crohn's Disease
Day 1
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with spinach and mashed banana (Calories: 300, Protein: 15g, Fat: 10g, Carbs: 40g)
- Lunch: Grilled chicken with white rice and well-cooked carrots (Calories: 400, Protein: 20g, Fat: 10g, Carbs: 50g)
- Dinner: Baked salmon with quinoa and steamed zucchini (Calories: 450, Protein: 25g, Fat: 20g, Carbs: 30g)
- Snack: Low-fat yogurt with ripe, peeled pear (Calories: 150, Protein: 5g, Fat: 2g, Carbs: 30g)
Day 2
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with almond milk, chia seeds, and blueberries (Calories: 350, Protein: 10g, Fat: 8g, Carbs: 60g)
- Lunch: Turkey and avocado wrap with a soft whole grain tortilla (Calories: 400, Protein: 15g, Fat: 15g, Carbs: 40g)
- Dinner: Stir-fried tofu with basmati rice and well-cooked bell peppers (Calories: 350, Protein: 15g, Fat: 12g, Carbs: 45g)
- Snack: Smoothie with ripe banana, lactose-free yogurt, and strawberries (Calories: 200, Protein: 5g, Fat: 3g, Carbs: 40g)
Day 3
- Breakfast: Low-fat cottage cheese with diced peaches and a sprinkle of ground flaxseeds (Calories: 250, Protein: 12g, Fat: 5g, Carbs: 30g)
- Lunch: Quinoa salad with cooked chicken, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette (Calories: 400, Protein: 20g, Fat: 15g, Carbs: 40g)
- Dinner: Baked cod with mashed sweet potatoes and steamed green beans (Calories: 400, Protein: 25g, Fat: 10g, Carbs: 35g)
- Snack: Rice cakes with almond butter (Calories: 200, Protein: 5g, Fat: 10g, Carbs: 20g)
Day 4
- Breakfast: Smoothie bowl with blended banana, kiwi, and gluten-free granola (Calories: 300, Protein: 8g, Fat: 5g, Carbs: 50g)
- Lunch: Mashed potatoes with well-cooked lean ground turkey and peas (Calories: 350, Protein: 15g, Fat: 10g, Carbs: 40g)
- Dinner: Grilled shrimp with brown rice and roasted butternut squash (Calories: 450, Protein: 20g, Fat: 15g, Carbs: 40g)
- Snack: Baked apple slices with a sprinkle of cinnamon (Calories: 150, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0.5g, Carbs: 35g)
Day 5
- Breakfast: Greek yogurt with honey and sliced almonds (Calories: 250, Protein: 18g, Fat: 10g, Carbs: 20g)
- Lunch: Grilled chicken salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette (Calories: 400, Protein: 30g, Fat: 15g, Carbs: 20g)
- Dinner: Baked tilapia with quinoa and roasted Brussels sprouts (Calories: 400, Protein: 25g, Fat: 15g, Carbs: 35g)
- Snack: Banana with peanut butter (Calories: 200, Protein: 5g, Fat: 10g, Carbs: 25g)
Day 6
- Breakfast: Spinach and feta omelette with gluten-free toast (Calories: 350, Protein: 20g, Fat: 18g, Carbs: 25g)
- Lunch: Quinoa bowl with grilled vegetables and a lemon-tahini dressing (Calories: 450, Protein: 15g, Fat: 20g, Carbs: 50g)
- Dinner: Slow-cooked chicken soup with well-cooked rice noodles and carrots (Calories: 400, Protein: 20g, Fat: 15g, Carbs: 40g)
- Snack: Orange slices with a handful of walnuts (Calories: 200, Protein: 5g, Fat: 18g, Carbs: 10g)
Day 7
- Breakfast: Chia seed pudding made with almond milk and topped with berries (Calories: 300, Protein: 10g, Fat: 15g, Carbs: 30g)
- Lunch: Shredded chicken tacos with corn tortillas and a side of guacamole (Calories: 450, Protein: 25g, Fat: 20g, Carbs: 40g)
- Dinner: Grilled steak with mashed potatoes and well-cooked green beans (Calories: 500, Protein: 30g, Fat: 25g, Carbs: 35g)
- Snack: Yogurt parfait with granola and sliced strawberries (Calories: 250, Protein: 15g, Fat: 8g, Carbs: 30g)
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⚠️ Keep in Mind
As with any dietary change, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before changing your dietary habits.
