Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The cause of this condition is unknown and the symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss night sweats and an urgent feeling to use the bathroom. Once you have been diagnosed with colitis, there are some specific dietary guidelines you should follow.
Fluids
Staying hydrated is important when you have colitis. When you have diarrhea, you risk becoming dehydrated and when you are constipated, water can help reverse it. To help both of these situations, drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day. Also, avoid carbonated beverages, alcohol and caffeinated beverages as they can stimulate your intestines and make your symptoms worse.
Fiber
Fiber is an important part of a colitis diet, but you will need to monitor it. Under normal circumstances, a high-fiber diet helps keep you regular, it lowers your risk for chronic diseases and it can also help keep your blood sugar under control. But when you have colitis, it can also worsen gas, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Eat foods that have fiber in them like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, but be aware of how your body reacts to them. To make fruits and vegetables more tolerable, steam or bake them instead of eating them raw.
Foods to Avoid
There are some foods that are known to cause gas and flare-ups with colitis, so you should avoid them. Examples of these include broccoli, cabbage, beans, fruit juices, citrus fruits, popcorn, chocolate and spicy foods.
Multivitamins
According to the Mayo Clinic, "ulcerative colitis can interfere with your ability to absorb nutrients and because your diet may be limited, vitamin and mineral supplements can play a key role in supplying missing nutrients." Use a multivitamin, but do not look to it as a replacement for meals, as they do not offer significant calories.
Lactose
Lactose intolerance is the inability to break down lactose, which is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. If you have lactose intolerance and colitis, keep your intake of dairy products to a minimum and use a lactose enzyme if you do eat any dairy products.
Meal Size
If you feel that the symptoms are worse when you eat large meals, eat a smaller meal every two to three hours, throughout the day.
