It can be tricky to stick to a Crohn’s-healthy eating routine when you’re on the go. “I’m always looking for snacks that you can take with you,” says Julie Cepo, RD , a coauthor of the Crohn’s & Colitis Diet Guide and a member of Interprofessional Allied Health at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. Cepo has worked for many years with people who are struggling to manage Crohn’s disease . She knows that finding convenient snacks is a challenge with Crohn’s, and that fear of trying new foods that might cause pain can make the search even more complicated. Adding to that complexity is the fact that each person with Crohn’s has particular food tolerances and preferences. Here are 10 Crohn’s-friendly snacks that travel well and work for most people. Portion sizes depend on your needs — many people with Crohn’s need to take in more calories, so let your weight be your guide.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762905a92af2-29e9-4e5d-bee1-63b6e475fb1c Peanut butter cookies, banana slices, and hard-boiled eggs can be tasty treats for people with Crohn’s.
Yogurt One great example of a Crohn’s-friendly travel snack that’s easy to tailor to your calorie needs is yogurt . For example, if you need to gain weight, go with whole-fat yogurt, says Cepo. On the other hand, if you’re taking steroids or have had a small bowel resection and want to lower your fat intake, you should opt for nonfat or low-fat kinds. Fat content aside, yogurt is an excellent source of calcium , which is essential for managing Crohn’s disease.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629124f49f5-4ab2-4355-b448-85f6c93cb0cd If you’re lactose intolerant , you may be able to find dairy-free yogurt alternatives . Whichever type of yogurt you choose, make sure the label states that it contains active bacterial cultures , which may aid in digestion.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c47ac110-ce56-42ec-a200-b09a59e0aa44 Yogurt
Hummus A nutritious and higher-calorie Crohn’s snack option, this chickpea spread is your friend if you’re having a hard time maintaining a healthy weight .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299b1a4221-32aa-427f-914e-0f7e0b31d1ad A small container of 2 to 3 tablespoons of hummus makes a tasty snack that travels easily. Choose a cracker to go with it, according to your specific needs. No symptoms? Enjoy your favorite. In the midst of a flare? Try melba toast or plain pretzels for dipping on the go.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c7a59c27-2bf6-49d8-bac9-8d3054580a3ee60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762967ef374e-d194-4a39-a279-5029a882f145 Hummus
Bananas Bananas are a perfect Crohn’s-friendly travel snack, no matter where you are on the symptom spectrum.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297299324e-ff4c-4392-acfc-1d44b4df153f You can eat bananas at almost any stage of ripeness, except very green, says Cepo. She suggests combining them with yogurt or nut butter — peanut butter is usually easy on the gastrointestinal system — for some protein, additional calories, and a more satisfying, filling snack. Bananas
Nutrition Bars Keep a few nutrition bars in your purse, desk drawer, or glove compartment. There’s no shortage of bars on the market, but be selective. Cepo says that crispy rice and oats are allowed, and even chocolate chips or little marshmallows, but it’s best to stay away from bars with nuts and seeds. Because nutrition bars are typically high in calories, speak to your doctor or dietitian to see if they are appropriate for you. Nutrition Bars
Cheese Sticks Cheese is a good source of protein and calories, two things you may be short on with Crohn’s disease.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299e362491-e120-4a86-8edb-e3f5f644e073 As a “lower-lactose-containing food,” Cepo says, cheese may be easier to digest than other dairy products (like milk) if you have some lactose intolerance. Hard cheeses such as cheddar typically have the lowest lactose content. Mozzarella cheese contains lactose, but it’s also a relatively low amount.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d5c08361-dad3-46d6-9198-6638b7498754 Individually wrapped cheese sticks are perfect for travel, but Cepo suggests combining cheese with crackers or flatbread for a more complete snack. Cheese Sticks
Nut Butters With the wide variety of nut butters available today, you could have fun sampling the choices to find the one you like best. “Make sure the nut butter is blended to a smooth consistency,” says Cepo. (Smooth nut butters may be easier to digest than those containing nut chunks.)e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290e2307ce-9217-4427-9c46-a2b158a875bd As an alternative to sandwiches, you could pack a small container of your favorite nut butter and take along breadsticks, pita, or naan bread. Nut Butters
Fruit Cups Individual servings of packaged fruit travel well and can be kept at your desk or in your tote. Look for those packaged in their own juice, not in sugary syrup. Added sugar can increase diarrhea in a “dose-response” fashion — meaning the more sugar you eat, the more likely it is that it can contribute to diarrhea.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297b45ea45-85a2-4389-81b2-86fbc66e7a85 If you’re trying to gain weight as part of your Crohn’s management plan, however, you may occasionally want to opt for syrup-packed varieties that add calories, Cepo says. Fruit Cups
Hard-Boiled Eggs “Eggs are high-quality protein,” says Cepo. Make your own hard-boiled eggs or pick them up in the ready-to-eat section of grocery stores. If you need to increase protein because of Crohn’s or medication effects, pair a hard-boiled egg with a muffin or bagel. Hard-Boiled Eggs
Cookies “A cookie can still be a reasonable Crohn’s snack,” says Cepo. Opt for cookies made with healthier fats , such as canola, grapeseed, or avocado oils, instead of butter, she suggests. Top choices are oatmeal, peanut butter cookies, and even Rice Krispies bars.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762953388fe7-e6aa-4d60-be3b-58bda1ab07b3 You can increase the health profile of this occasional Crohn’s snack choice by looking for high-quality ingredients and exercising portion control when you indulge. Limit yourself to one or two average-size cookies at a time. Cookies
Meal Replacement Drinks Even when your Crohn’s symptoms are under control with medication, meal-replacement drinks are good to have on hand, as long as they’re approved by your doctor or dietitian.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291a9ee616-3f1c-4029-8704-a80ccf0e0b5c Again, if you’re lactose intolerant, which is common in people with Crohn’s, look for a lactose-free brand. You can also create your own nutrition drinks by whipping up a smoothie using Crohn’s-approved ingredients and taking it with you in a thermos. The Takeaway It can be challenging to find snacks that don’t trigger symptoms when you have Crohn’s disease. Some Crohn’s-friendly options that are easy to grab and go include yogurt, bananas, and nutrition bars. Be sure to choose snacks that meet your specific dietary needs. Check with your doctor or dietitian if you aren’t sure whether a particular snack is right for you. Meal Replacement Drinks
Resources We Trust Mayo Clinic: Crohn’s DiseaseCleveland Clinic: A Nutritional Plan for Anyone Living With Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative ColitisCrohn’s & Colitis Foundation: Diet and NutritionNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease: Eating, Diet, and Nutrition for Crohn’s DiseaseMedlinePlus: Crohn’s Disease
Additional reporting by Kaitlin Sullivan .
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