When your coitis flares up, generally the last thing you want to do it eat. Colitis brings with it painful stomach cramping, intractable nausea, and explosive diarrhea; none of which inspire a stellar appetite. However, during periods of stress, like during a colitis flare up, you body's nutritional needs increase in order to heal. You can meet those nutritional needs by consuming easy to digest, bland, low fiber foods. This regimen is called the BRATT diet.
Significance
Irritable bowel disease takes many forms. Ulcerative colitis, or colitis for short, literally means inflammation and ulceration of the colon located at the end of the large intestine. Colitis can be dormant for many weeks, months, or years at a time, then suddenly flare up and cause pain, fever, and diarrhea. Currently, there is no cure for colitis. Although it is not believed that what you eat causes colitis, it is widely accepted that certain foods may worsen flare-ups. The best rule of thumb when managing any form of irritable bowel disease is, if it bothers your gut, don't consume it.
Function
The BRATT diet stands for banana, rice, applesauce, toast, and tea. Following this diet does not mean you would be limited to only these items, but to items like them. The rationale behind the BRATT diet is essentially low fiber, bland, non-odorous foods to help reduce gastrointestinal distress. Fiber functions in the gut to give bulk to stool and promote motility, encouraging more frequent bowel movements. So when you have diarrhea, as during a colitis flare-up, consuming low fiber foods can help to slow down the gut and reduce the amount of times you have to run to the bathroom.
Considerations
When you feel your colitis flare up, start a clear liquid diet for 24 hours to give yourself what medical professionals refer to as bowel rest. Clear fluids that are sugar free, require very little digestion beyond the point of the stomach, and can give your intestines a much needed rest. Include fluids like water, ice chips, chicken, beef or vegetable broth, sugar free gelatin and Popsicles, and decaffeinated tea will keep you hydrated, which is the most important thing when combating diarrhea. Avoid sugary electrolyte replacement drinks, as they can sometimes make diarrhea worse.
Time Frame
The BRATT diet is intended for a short period of time only, just until stool starts to solidify. You should begin adding in more foods after the first 24 hours. If you are unable to eat other foods within three to four days of starting this regimen, call your doctor.
Beyond BRATT
After following the BRATT regimen for a few days, you will hopefully feel ready to add in a wider variety of foods. Start slowly, adding just one new food at a time. Avoid high fat meals. Fat is the nutrient that stays in the stomach the longest and requires the most effort to digest, so choose low fat dairy and avoid rich desserts and fried foods. Once your diarrhea has resolved and the flare-up is over, introduce some fiber rich foods to keep the bowels regular.
