This RCT compared an 8-week exclusive whole food diet (Tasty&Healthy) versus habitual diet in clinically quiescent children and young adults (ages 6–40) with Crohn's disease and subclinical bowel inflammation (MINI index >8). The primary outcome was >50% decline in fecal calprotectin.
Calprotectin response (>50% decline) was achieved in 53% of the Tasty&Healthy group vs. 7% in the habitual diet group (RR 3.23, 95% CI 1.15–9.01, p=0.028). In the 15 crossover patients, calprotectin <250 μg/g (53% vs. 7%, p=0.045) and MINI index <8 (93% vs. 20%, p=0.002) were significantly higher after completing Tasty&Healthy. Adherence was 71–77%.
- Trial terminated early due to COVID-19, leaving the study underpowered (n=46 instead of planned enrollment). - Small sample size limits generalizability and precision of effect estimates. - Adherence was partly self-reported, introducing potential bias.
Consider the Tasty&Healthy whole food diet as a formula-free dietary option to reduce subclinical inflammation in clinically quiescent pediatric and young adult Crohn's disease patients. The diet's flexible, food-based structure appears to support meaningful adherence (~75%) even in asymptomatic individuals.
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