Snacks for Crohn’s Disease: 10 Easy Grab-and-Go Ideas

10 Easy Grab-and-Go Snacks for Crohn’s Disease

Need a pick-me-up when you’re on the go? Here are 10 satisfying snacks that won’t irritate your gastrointestinal tract.
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Updated on May 6, 2025
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plate with hard boiled eggs bowl of sliced bananas surrounded with full bananas and stacked cheddar cheese sticks
Peanut butter cookies, banana slices, and hard-boiled eggs can be tasty treats for people with Crohn’s.

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.

1

Yogurt

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.

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.

2

Hummus

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.

 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.

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3

Bananas

bananas
Bananas are a perfect Crohn’s-friendly travel snack, no matter where you are on the symptom spectrum.

 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.
4

Nutrition Bars

bar
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.
5

Cheese Sticks

Cheese is a good source of protein and calories, two things you may be short on with Crohn’s disease.

 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.

 Individually wrapped cheese sticks are perfect for travel, but Cepo suggests combining cheese with crackers or flatbread for a more complete snack.
6

Nut Butters

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.)

 As an alternative to sandwiches, you could pack a small container of your favorite nut butter and take along breadsticks, pita, or naan bread.
7

Fruit Cups

fruit cup
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.

 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.
8

Hard-Boiled Eggs

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.

9

Cookies

oatmeal 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.

 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.
10

Meal Replacement Drinks

meal replacement shake
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.

 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.

Resources We Trust

Additional reporting by Kaitlin Sullivan.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
  2. Live & Active Cultures Seal. International Dairy Foods Association.
  3. What Should I Eat? Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
  4. Lifestyle Management of Crohn’s Disease. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
  5. Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
  6. Database of Lactose Content In Cheese. Cheese Scientist.
  7. Symptom Management: Diarrhea and Urgency. Crohn’s & Colitis Canada.
  8. Crohn’s Disease and Diet. Niagara Health System.
  9. Eating and Drinking With IBD. Crohn’s & Colitis Canada.
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