Refined grains
Grains are important dietary components. Many whole grains are high in fiber and studies have shown [4] that they help reduce the risk of a person developing inflammatory bowel disease. While this is true, high-fiber grains are only good dietary additions before the onset of this disease. If you already have Crohn’s disease, you may want to reevaluate the type of grains you consume.
Low-fiber grains are much better in the diet of people with Crohn’s disease. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) [5] says that low-fiber and low-residue foods are good for people with this disease because they help reduce acute symptoms of this condition and constrictions in the small intestine. The low quantity of fiber means there is less indigestible fiber in the intestines that may irritate it.
Research is still ongoing on the impact of both low-fiber and high-fiber grains in people with Crohn’s disease. For now, grains and grain products known to be safe for people with Crohn’s disease include cornmeal, oatmeal, pancakes, potatoes, rice, rice pasta, waffles, polenta, and gluten-free bread. Oatmeal, for example, contains a soluble fiber known as beta-glucan which reduces diarrhea [6] from this condition by absorbing water from the intestines and forming a gel on the intestinal wall.