That doesn’t mean you have to skip your morning meal. The best breakfast for someone with Crohn’s is small, high in calories, and easy for the digestive tract to break down, explains Kelly Kennedy, RD, a nutritionist with Everyday Health. The goal, she says, is to “maximize the nutrition and calories of every bite.” If you aren’t sure which foods trigger your symptoms, you may want to keep a food journal, also noting when the flare occurs, and seek advice from a registered dietitian who specializes in digestive issues, she says. While it’s hard to suggest specific eating plans, because food tolerances vary in people who have Crohn’s, Kennedy says that it helps to follow a few general rules:
Eat smaller, more frequent meals, or consider splitting your breakfast into two snacks.Try to avoid foods that are spicy or high in fiber or unhealthy fats, such as trans fats.Limit foods with added sugar (sugar that isn’t found naturally in that food).Opt for peeled, cooked fruits, which are easier to digest than raw fruits with the skin.Trade your morning meal for a smoothie. (It’s already blended into a smooth liquid, which tends to be easier on your gut.)If you avoid gluten or dairy, try substituting with a gluten-free flour, almond or coconut milk instead of dairy milk, and coconut oil instead of butter.
From quick pancakes to overnight oats, here are seven Crohn’s-friendly breakfast recipes to start your day right. Ingredients
1¼ c almond flour4 medium eggs4 tbsp honey (optional)2 tbsp pure vanilla extract¼ tsp salt¼ tsp baking soda1 tbsp butter
The full recipe details can be found here, at No More Crohn’s.
2. Banana and Apple Pancakes
Some people with Crohn’s have trouble digesting gluten and dairy. If that’s the case for you, try this pancake recipe. Ingredients
3 bananas1 apple6 small eggs1 tbsp coconut oilHoney (optional)
For the full recipe details, visit IBD Relief. Note that the recipe doesn’t call for peeling the apple (most of the fiber is in the skin), but you might want to so it’s easier on your digestion.
3. Banana, Blueberry, and Kale Smoothie
The key to making good smoothies is to have a blender that can process frozen fruit. Many fruits, including bananas, contain lots of vitamins and minerals and are easy to digest. Ripe bananas that have been peeled and frozen make a smoothie rich and creamy, while kale, spinach, and other vegetables add important nutrients. Protein powders may be added, although some are dairy based and should be avoided if lactose is a problem. Coconut oil (gently heated until it’s liquid) is a good addition, as is coconut cream, coconut milk, or even a scoop of smooth nut butter. You can also thicken a smoothie with yogurt, which contains probiotics and plenty of protein. Ingredients
1 bananaA handful of blueberriesA handful of kale100 mL coconut milk100 mL water
For the full recipe, visit IBD Relief.
4. Yogurt Parfait With Mixed Berries
Yogurt is a source of probiotics, or good bacteria, which can be especially helpful for someone with Crohn’s, as probiotics aid digestion and help heal the gut. The bacteria also “eat” some of the lactose, which makes this naturally easier to digest for those with lactose intolerance or sensitivity. Yogurt is also a great source of protein and provides calcium and potassium. Look for plain, unflavored yogurt that contains live, active cultures and no added sugars. Ingredients
4 c organic yogurt¼ c strawberry fruit spread½ c frozen blueberries, unthawed1 c fresh strawberries, sliced¼ c slivered almonds**¼ tsp lemon juice
*Both the yogurt and the fruit spread in this recipe are homemade and sweetened with honey, to adhere to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). If you use store-bought ingredients, try to select an additive-free fruit spread that has no added sugar and plain yogurt with active, live cultures. Visit Elizabeth M Jacob’s blog for this recipe and other ideas. **Substitute with a well-tolerated breakfast cereal if nuts irritate your stomach.
5. Overnight Oats
Kennedy says oatmeal is a great breakfast option because oats are high in soluble fiber, which absorbs water and moves slowly through the digestive tract — unlike insoluble fiber, which is difficult to digest and can irritate the bowel. Here’s a breakfast recipe that requires no cooking. Ingredients
½ c old-fashioned oats½ c milk¼ c yogurt (optional)1 tsp pure vanilla extract2 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
Combine all the ingredients in a mason jar, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
6. Eggs, Salmon, and Avocado
This quick and easy breakfast recipe from Kennedy is a great source of protein and healthy fats. Both eggs and salmon are high in protein, and the salmon and avocado are high in healthy fats. Ingredients
1 or 2 eggs2 oz salmon canned in water, drained1/3 avocado, cubed
Scramble eggs and then top with salmon and avocado.
7. Baked Apple
Cooked fruit is easier to digest than raw fruit for people with Crohn’s. Here’s a baked apple recipe from Kennedy. Ingredients
¼ tsp cinnamon1 tsp canola oil2 tbsp old-fashioned oats1 tsp brown sugar*1 apple, cored
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix together the cinnamon, oil, oats, and sugar. Stuff into the apple and bake about 45 minutes, until cooked through. Eat everything but the skin, which is high in fiber and not always well-tolerated. *Omit if it irritates your digestive tract.
