Although diet does not cause colitis, what you eat can affect your symptoms. People with colitis may also be more likely to suffer from certain nutritional deficiencies, making watching what you eat even more important if you have colitis. There is no specific colitis diet, however. What you eat will be determined in part by which foods aggravate your symptoms.
Colitis Features
Colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease inflames the colon, causing diarrhea and abdominal pain. You are at higher risk for this disease if you are 30 or older, white, of Jewish descent or have a relative with colitis. Colitis symptoms may come and go, but they usually do not get worse over time. Your treatment may include drug therapy or surgery. Although there is no cure, you can take steps to minimize your symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic.
Eating Strategies
If you have colitis, eating smaller meals more often may help to reduce your symptoms, and drinking lots of water or other liquids can help prevent dehydration. Keeping a food diary and noting how you feel after eating different meals can help you figure out which foods seem to aggravate your symptoms the most, allowing you to avoid these foods in the future.
Foods to Limit
There are no set foods that cause problems for all people with colitis, but dairy foods, high-fat foods and high-fiber foods may cause problems for some people, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Take note of any foods that seem to make you feel worse, and try eliminating these from your diet to see if your symptoms improve.
Nutritional Considerations
Colitis can put you at risk for certain nutritional deficiencies, especially if it gives you diarrhea or you lose your appetite. Being sick increases your nutritional needs, so take care to eat enough calories, protein, vitamins and minerals. Bringing your food diary to a dietitian can be helpful, since she will be able to evaluate your diet and suggest changes to keep you healthy and minimize your colitis symptoms, notes the University of Virginia Health System.
