Healthy Fats in Plant-Based Diet Improve Gut Health

If you have Crohn’s disease, it’s no secret that there are certain foods you should avoid. Barley, wheat, and rye, can wreak havoc on the digestive system for those with Crohn’s disease.

And so can any other foods that contain gluten (gum, soy sauce, salad dressing, mustard, deli meats, canned soups, instant coffee, licorice, alcohol...It’s kind of crazy what you have to avoid).

So what can you eat? A high-fat diet isn’t widely accepted as dietary strategy to manage Crohn’s disease. But maybe it should be. In a recent study presented at the Digestive Disease Week annual conference, Dr. Alexander Rodriguez-Palacios, shared details about the results of a high-fat plant-based diet used to improve gut health.

In a laboratory environment, researchers found that consuming plant-based fats found in coconut oil, cocoa butter, and other natural foods, helped reduce inflammation in the large and small intestines.

It’s an important finding that could help people who suffer from Crohn’s disease, or an allergy or sensitivity to gluten. Currently, there is no cure for Crohn’s disease, yet an estimated 500,000 people in the United States alone suffer from this condition.

Managing Crohn’s disease to prevent abdominal pain, stomach cramps, and bowel discomfort, typically requires a combination of medication and changes to lifestyle and diet. Symptoms of Crohn’s disease can also include diarrhea, weight loss, lack of energy, nausea and/or vomiting, and low red blood cell count.

This study suggests that following a diet that promotes gut health with plant-based foods and healthy fats can help with Crohn's disease symptoms. If you’re looking for Gluten-Free meals you can enjoy that won’t trigger a negative reaction, check out our selection. We’ve served these favorites to our gluten-free customers for years. You’ll find 22 entrees perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ve even got some chips on the menu with plenty of gluten-free crispy crunch.