It's not clear what causes colitis, but if you've got the condition, you likely know how tough it can be to manage. Research into dietary changes as a way to manage colitis hasn't panned out, but you still may be able to make some adjustments to your diet that will help you improve your symptoms and your quality of life.
Significance
Colitis causes a variety of digestive symptoms, including occasionally bloody diarrhea, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain, according to the University of Chicago Medical Center. It also causes fatigue, weight loss and anemia. It's not clear why you develop colitis and there isn't any cure, except for surgery to remove your colon. However, a colitis diet may help you manage those symptoms.
Function
Your goal in developing your colitis diet is to identify the foods that cause your colitis to worsen and then to eliminate them, according to the website MayoClinic.com. Since different foods cause symptoms in different people, the ideal colitis diet differs from patient to patient. You may have to try a list of food eliminations and reintroductions before you determine exactly what makes your symptoms flare.
Potential
Dairy represents a top suspect when considering foods that might worsen your colitis symptoms, according to the website MayoClinic.com. If you're lactose intolerant, dairy can cause diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain. In many cases, you can keep some dairy in your diet, but you may need to eliminate all dairy products if you find simply cutting back doesn't help enough.
Types
High-fiber foods such as whole grains and fresh vegetables can trigger colitis symptoms, and you may need to eliminate these on your colitis diet, according to the website MayoClinic.com. Particular culprits often include broccoli and cabbage, along with beans and popcorn. Try removing each of these foods from your diet to see if your symptoms improve.
Considerations
Including soft, bland foods in your diet may help improve your colitis symptoms, and avoiding greasy or fatty foods also may help avert symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You also should limit your caffeine and alcohol consumption. However, before making radical changes to your diet, consult your physician and potentially a dietitian to make sure you're getting all the nutrition you need.
