Ulcerative Colitis & A Low Fiber Diet

Ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, impacts over 600,000 Americans in a given year and approximately 5 percent of sufferers later develop colon cancer, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition that is not caused by poor dietary habits nor is it cured by changing your diet. However, reducing your daily fiber intake may help in managing the digestive discomfort associated with the condition.

Cause, Symptoms and Treatment

Ulcers and inflammation in continuous sections of the lining of your colon resulting in IBD is caused by immune system abnormalities. However, the cause of the abnormalities is not fully understood but doctor's speculate that virus or bacteria may trigger the disease, notes MayoClinic.com. Symptoms range from mild to severe and may include abdominal cramping and pain, rectal bleeding, fatigue, weight loss or loss of appetite, anemia and loss of body fluids and nutrients. Treatment for the condition is catered to the specific symptoms you experience and focuses on reducing inflammation to induce or maintain remission. Anti-inflammatory medications and immune system suppressors are the first line of treatment along with dietary and lifestyle changes. Surgical colon removal is an option in the event of primary treatment failure.

Dietary Changes

No specific diet exists for ulcerative colitis but eliminating trigger foods that worsen symptoms may help. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America notes that you are prone to malnourishment from IBD, therefore you might benefit from eating smaller frequent meals every 4 hours to sustain nutritive health. Limit the high fat and fried foods in your diet that may cause cramping or diarrhea and note if dairy triggers digestive upset like gas, bloating and abdominal pain. Keep a diary to track problematic foods and the accompanying symptoms to eliminate these from your diet. Drink plenty of water daily and avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages that may increase gas and diarrhea.

Low Fiber Diet

Limiting the amount of fiber you consume daily may reduce abdominal cramping. Insoluble fiber, which creates bulk in your stool, narrows the bowel and provokes contractions in your large intestine and since fibrous foods do not digest by the small intestine, diarrhea can result. A low-fiber diet limits your intake to 15 g of fiber or less per day without taking away the nutrients such as protein, vitamins or minerals needed from foods that contain fiber. Foods to avoid on a low-fiber diet for ulcerative colitis include raw produce, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds. Consult your physician for dietary recommendations based on your symptoms.

Low Fiber Foods

Low-fiber grain alternatives include white breads, pastas and rice, cream of wheat and grits rather than whole grains with wheat, bran, or rye. Cooked vegetables, white potatoes without skins and cooked or canned skinless fruit has less fiber than fresh or raw varieties. Raw vegetable exceptions such as lettuce, cucumbers, onions and zucchini are lower in fiber and may be consumed moderately. Consult your physician for dietary recommendations or referral to a dietitian for meal planning.