Even when you’re on a treatment plan for Crohn’s disease and have been in remission for a while, it’s possible to experience a flare. During a flare, you usually need to adjust what you eat, even if you’ve been sticking to non-trigger foods, says Adiana Castro, RDN, a registered dietitian specializing in gut health and the owner of Compass Nutrition in New York City.
“When you are in an active flare, you want to aim for low-fiber and bland whole foods,” she says. “This will help provide nutrient density but won’t provide bulk since the digestive tract is inflamed.”
Here are five foods, along with three easy pairings for meals, that fit with this approach.
1. Mashed Potatoes
When dealing with a flare, sticking with simple and uncomplicated foods tends to be the best strategy, with a focus on cooked, soft options like peeled mashed potatoes.
Mashed potatoes (without the fiber-rich skins, which can irritate the gut) can feel like a comfort food while also being highly digestible, says Castro. Also, potatoes are a good source of potassium — a mineral that tends to get depleted when you have frequent bouts of diarrhea.
2. Baked Apples
In general, sugary treats can lead to inflammation for those with Crohn’s disease, and they may lead to worsened symptoms during a flare, says Nayana George, MD, a gastroenterologist at Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute in Florida. But you don’t have to skip a little sweetness completely: Try popping a peeled, cored apple into the oven until it softens.
Leaving the peels on can provide too much fiber during a flare, so a peeled apple is a better choice. Also, baking the fruit is similar to cooking vegetables, providing a softer consistency and making it more digestible, Dr. George says. If you prefer, you can sprinkle a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg on them for more sweetness and flavor.
3. Pasta
Another soft, cooked option that can feel comforting without overdoing it on fiber is pasta, says Castro. If you’re sensitive to gluten, she adds that there are many gluten-free pasta options as well. It’s usually best to skip the tomato sauce on top, since it might be too acidic and contains skins and seeds that could irritate your digestive system. But you could add a small amount of butter and some cooked vegetables to make a simple, nourishing dish instead.
4. Chicken Breast
Another simple, easy food when you have a flare is skinless chicken breast, Castro says.
You prepare this in a number of ways, such as poached, baked, grilled, or stir-fried. What’s more, chicken breast is high in protein, which offers numerous benefits for those with Crohn’s, including better fluid balance, tissue repair, and immune support. Adequate protein is crucial during a flare to help promote healing in the digestive tract.
5. Soup or Bone Broth
Any type of warm liquid is very soothing to the gut, Castro says, which means soups may help tame symptoms while still providing beneficial nutrients to your body. Also, if you’re choosing a soup like chicken noodle, for instance, you will have cooked vegetables and chicken breast already in the soup, along with the broth.
If you just want broth on its own, try a bone broth, which tends to have more protein and also contains calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus — minerals that support bone health. That’s important for people with Crohn’s disease, who have an increased risk of osteoporosis due to inflammation and certain medications.
What I Eat During A Flare as a Dietitian With IBD
Try these four favorite types of flare-friendly foods and learn the best methods to prepare them to reduce inflammation and speed up your recovery.
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3 Easy, Gentle Meal Ideas for a Crohn’s Flare
If you’re feeling up for a slightly larger meal, relying on a few options that don’t take much effort or require a major financial investment can be a helpful strategy, considering that you may still be coping with symptoms like pain and fatigue, says George. Remember, too, that what constitutes a “meal” when you’re in a flare can often be closer to a snack, since you may feel a significant drop in your appetite.
Here are a few ideas that are packed with nutrients, to get you what you need even though you might be eating less right now.
1. Scrambled Eggs With Avocado Toast
Eggs tend to be easy on the digestive tract during a flare and provide much-needed protein as well, George says. An avocado is a softer type of fruit that’s not high in fiber. If you pair that with soft, white bread, you’re likely to get a nutritious breakfast that shouldn’t be problematic, she says.
2. Salmon With Cooked Zucchini and Carrots
For lunch or dinner, having another high-protein choice like salmon can help keep you full for longer — an important consideration when your appetite may be low during a flare. George suggests pairing it with cooked vegetables like zucchini and carrots. Just be sure to peel any skins off the veggies to manage your fiber intake, she says. You can substitute tofu for the salmon — or skinless chicken breast if you don’t like fish — and still get a nice amount of protein, she says.
3. Greek Yogurt Smoothie With Banana
In general, yogurt is beneficial for gut health since it contains probiotics that can support beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. Making a smoothie with yogurt and banana can give you low-fiber carbs to keep your energy up, which is helpful during a flare since you may be feeling more fatigue or tiredness than usual.
If you want to add some more liquid, George recommends a nondairy milk, especially if you have lactose intolerance. For example, opt for almond, soy, oat, coconut, hemp, or flax milk.
The Takeaway
With Crohn’s disease, a flare can happen even if you’ve been managing the condition with treatment and lifestyle habits for years.
Choosing low-fiber, bland foods may help ease symptoms associated with gut inflammation.
It’s also important to prioritize nutrients like protein to support recovery and overall health.
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Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.
Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.
She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.
Elizabeth Millard is a freelance writer based in northern Minnesota. She focuses on health, wellness, and fitness, and has written for Runner's World, Bicycling, Self, Women's Health, Men's Health, Prevention, Experience Life, and more. She is an American Council on Exercise–certified personal trainer and a Yoga Alliance-registered yoga teacher. She graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in English.
