Your intestines play a valuable role in your digestive tract and overall health. Medical conditions that affect your intestines include colitis and Crohn's disease, which cause chronic intestinal inflammation, and irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, which causes your intestinal muscles to function improperly. When your intestines are damaged or diseased, you may experience abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, constipation and/or diarrhea. A healthy diet, inclusive of certain foods, can enhance healing and your overall wellness.
Yogurt and Kefir
Yogurt and kefir are cultured milk products that contain probiotics -- helpful, or "friendly," bacteria that may help prevent infections caused by harmful bacteria. Probiotics also help your digestive system function appropriately and may help prevent IBS symptoms, such as constipation, stomach pain and gas, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Probiotics also support healing if you have adverse symptoms caused by lactose intolerance, or an inability to digest natural sugars in cow's milk. For best results, choose low-fat yogurt and kefir that contain live active cultures. Potentially helpful probiotic strains include lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium.
Protein-Rich Foods
Protein in food promotes healing and growth of lean tissue in your body. Inflammatory bowel diseases can cause protein and nutrient loss, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, and lead to delayed growth in children and teens, hormonal imbalances and menstrual problems in women. Lack of protein can also cause lethargy, mental fogginess and unintentional weight loss. To help prevent or reduce these symptoms, incorporate protein-rich foods, such as lean meats and poultry, egg whites, fish, low-fat dairy or soy products and legumes into your meals and snacks routinely. Avoid high-fat protein sources, such as organ meats and whole milk, which may exacerbate digestive symptoms
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide valuable amounts of nutrients, including antioxidants, which help your body protect itself from infections and disease. As fiber-rich foods, increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables can help prevent or alleviate constipation. If you have difficulty digestive fruits and vegetables, you may find that cooking your vegetables helps, according to the CCFA. If high-fiber foods trigger or worsen your symptoms try gradually increasing your intake, choosing items lower in fiber, such as canned peaches and pears, pure juices and peeled fruits and vegetables, most often. Fruits and vegetables particularly rich in antioxidants include berries, cherries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, broccoli and squash.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats help your body absorb certain nutrients. Since digestive diseases can cause nutrient malabsorption, incorporate healthy fat sources, such as nuts, seeds and olive or canola oil, into nutritious meals regularly. Flaxseed provides healthy fats and rich amounts of fiber and may relieve constipation linked to IBS, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Fatty fish, such as salmon, albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, lake trout and flounder, provide omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce inflammation.
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