Colitis, also known as intestinal inflammation, may benefit greatly from a healthy diet. Proper management with healthful foods prevents malnutrition and weight loss. A healthy diet can also minimize symptoms and lengthen the time between flare-ups. Experimenting with healthful foods combined with elimination of foods that trigger flare-ups is recommended by MayoClinic.com for controlling colitis.
Step 1
Eliminate foods from your diet which are not tolerable. Common foods that aggravate colitis symptoms include dairy, high fat foods and caffeine. The best way to confirm that a food is intolerable is to eliminate it, add it back after a week and watch for symptoms of intestinal aggravation.
Step 2
Experiment with different types of fiber in your diet. Soluble and insoluble fibers are the cornerstone to any healthy diet. Trying a variety of different fruits, vegetables and grains will help determine which work best in preventing colitis symptoms. Start with a focus on soluble fibers, since they are better tolerated with colitis. Foods high in soluble fiber include cereals, whole grain breads, oatmeal, beans, peas and apples.
Step 3
Add foods that are high in probiotics to increase friendly bacteria in digestion. Probiotics may be found in yogurt, enriched cheese and milk, or as a supplement. Eat these types of foods every day to ensure a healthy balance of bacterial flora in the gastrointestinal tract.
Step 4
Take fish oil as a daily supplement. Fish oil is calming to the gastrointestinal tract and reduces the severity of flare-ups in many people with ulcerative colitis. The calming affects of fish oil often assist sufferers in reducing their use of prescription medications and harmful corticosteroids, according to NaturalNews.com.
Step 5
Take a multivitamin supplement. Malnutrition is common with colitis due to a decrease in absorption of nutrients. Consult with a physician for what is recommended. There are many different options including pills, powder and whole foods drinks that can be used for supplementation.
Step 6
Increase the amount of water consumed each day. Water eliminates toxins from the digestive tract and works with soluble fiber as it moves through the intestinal tract. Increase the amount of water each day gradually so the body is given time to adjust without causing diarrhea.
Tips and Warnings
- Work with the new foods gradually instead of switching all at once. Increasing fiber and water too quickly can cause diarrhea. This may also create a flare-up with colitis. Discuss additional diet recommendations with a doctor while adjusting to the diet. Additional nutrient support in helping prevent malnutrition from the colitis may be necessary. Keep a food diary so you are able to track foods that are aggravating to symptoms. This will assist you in learning what foods to avoid in your diet.
- Insoluble fiber can aggravate colitis symptoms. Experiment with foods such as broccoli, lettuce and other raw vegetable gradually to minimize risk of a flare-up. Consult with a physician if there is any increase in normal symptoms with colitis or new symptoms such as blood or mucous in the stool, increased cramping or diarrhea.
