I've heard anecdotal stories that people with Crohn's Disease have gotten relief from their symptoms by following various special diets. However, from my research I have learned that there is no "one correct" Crohn's Disease diet. What may work for one person may not work for another. Some Crohn's sufferers also have Lactose Intolerance and cannot have milk and dairy products. Personally, dairy products do not seem to bother my Crohn's Disease, and in fact, when I am not feeling well I typically eat cereal with milk, rice pudding, and other such bland foods. Other's with Crohn's may also have Celiac disease and not be able to eat any wheat gluten.
Some patients, especially when in a flare, are advised to go on a low residue diet, avoiding excess fiber, nuts, seeds, etc. Then other people go on diets such as the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, or Paleo Diet, that are rather high in fiber, and find that those diets help them a lot. What an interesting idea - to eat like a cave dweller!
I think that the key is to work with your doctor and try things to find what works for you and avoid foods that seem to cause flares. For example, I have learned through experience that chocolate seems to irritate my digestive system and if I eat too much I will end up with bad heartburn and throwing up in the middle of the night. Therefore I avoid it or eat a teeny tiny bite just to taste early in the day. I am trying to eat more and more healthy foods and less and less processed foods. I also am careful to cook my veggies a lot so they are very soft and not tough and fibrous. However, I am just not ready to start eliminating lots of types of foods from my diet.
