This week, a patient emailed me with a familiar question:
“What can I eat for a little crunch that’s healthy and safe for my IBD?”
Although not everyone with IBD needs to avoid roughage, many find softer, low-roughage foods work better—especially those managing active inflammation, GI symptoms, strictures, or ileostomies.
We’re often quick to tell these patients, “smooth is better,” steering them toward soft, plant-based foods like pureed soups, smoothies, creamy nut and seed butters, mashed cooked veggies, and soft fruits such as bananas, avocados, and ripe melon.
Sure, these are great options for including gentle high-fiber foods with lots of wonderful nutrients and flavor.
But one thing many patients miss is the satisfaction of biting into something crunchy.
So, what can we suggest when go-to crunchy foods like whole nuts, seeds, popcorn, raw veggies, and crisp apples are off the table?
Fortunately, there are many crunchy, low-roughage options to recommend.
Here are 10 of my favorites 🙌:
- Unsweetened banana chips: Enjoy on their own, or sprinkle on yogurt or oatmeal.
- Rice crackers and cakes: Even if made from brown rice, they’re still low-roughage and gentle.
- Oven-baked cheese crisps: Perfect on their own or as a soup topper, homemade or store-bought.
- Peeled, seedless cucumber slices: Dip in hummus or other favorite dips, or add to sandwiches for a crunch.
- Vegetable chips: Zucchini works well here. Try homemade or store-bought options.
- Baked sweet potato fries: A tasty, homemade crispy fry is hard to beat.
- Puffed rice cereal: Add to yogurt, applesauce, or enjoy as a rice bar, like rice rollers, for on-the-go crunch.
- Organic tortilla chips: Great with guacamole or salsa, or crumbled over soups.
- Peeled apple slices: They keep some crunch, even without the peel. Pair with creamy, all-natural nut or peanut butter for a satisfying snack.
- Nut-free granola: Try options like The Miller’s Kitchen granola, which can be added to stewed apples, applesauce, or yogurt.
These options add crunch without roughage, making meals more enjoyable.
