Colitis is characterized as an inflammatory bowel disease. It causes chronic inflammation to the digestive tract, mainly affecting the colon and rectum and can cause severe diarrhea. Other symptoms can include abdominal cramping and rectal bleeding. The cause of colitis remains unknown. There is also no cure, nor is there a diet or eating plan that will eliminate colitis. An individualized eating or diet plan can be used to help decrease inflammation and control symptoms associated with colitis.
Step 1
Cut meals in half, from large three meals a day to five or six smaller, more frequent meals. Eat a small meal every three to four hours. Eating smaller, more frequent meals may aid in digestion and tolerance of meals.
Step 2
Eliminate fatty, greasy foods from the diet. Greasy, fatty or fried foods can often be found at fast food restaurants or in butter, margarine, heavy cream or cheese sauces. Deep-fried foods can contribute to diarrhea and gas.
Step 3
Restrict high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, corn, and popcorn until individual tolerance with these foods is known. High amounts of fiber in the diet can worsen diarrhea, pain and gas. If raw vegetables are not tolerated well, try cooked, steamed, baked or stewed vegetables. If raw fruits are not tolerated well, try canned fruits over raw fruits or baked fruits and remove the skins. If high fiber foods are tolerated well, increase fiber in the diet slowly.
Step 4
Drink plenty of fluids daily, preferably water. Use cation with milk or milk products if lactose intolerant and avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, as they can worsen diarrhea. Also use caution with carbonated beverages as they can cause gas. Lactose intolerance can cause cramping, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, and bloating. To test for lactose intolerance 2 cups of of low-fat or fat-free milk on an empty stomach and wait 3 to 4 hours. If no symptoms occur, dairy products are likely safe to consume.
Step 5
Keep a food diary and record foods that may can gas, abdominal pain or diarrhea. Some of these foods may include dairy products, deep-fried foods, beans, cabbage, broccoli, raw fruit juices and fruits, popcorn, alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated beverages.
Things You'll Need
- Food diary
