Colitis and diabetes are chronic diseases that are managed with diet. Colitis is characterized by ulcers and inflammation in your large intestine which require you to avoid foods that irritate your colon. Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar and risk of cardiovascular complications. Diabetes is managed with foods that help you control blood sugar and improve lipids. Consult your doctor about a diet to help you manage both colitis and diabetes.
Breakfast
A healthy and tolerable breakfast for a person with both colitis and diabetes is a bowl of soy yogurt with banana and walnuts. Soy yogurt is made from soybeans, a legume that contains a complete protein, calcium, healthy fats and no cholesterol. Soy is also a low glycemic food that contains sugar that your body slowly absorbs into your blood and prevents spikes in blood sugar. People with colitis are able to tolerate soft foods such as soy yogurt and bananas. Walnuts contain healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids that can improve your blood lipids, lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and reduce inflammation associated with colitis.
Lunch
Start off your lunch with a bowl of vegetable soup followed by salmon croquettes and a sweet potato. High fiber foods, including raw vegetables, can be problematic when you have colitis. Nonetheless, vegetables are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Eating cooked vegetables, such as the vegetables in soup and steamed or baked sweet potatoes, makes it easier for your to tolerate. Salmon is rich in eicosapentaneoic acid and docosahexaneic acid, omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties and may help patients with ulcerative colitis, according to research by scientists at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and published in the "World Journal of Gastroenterology" in 2005.
Dinner
For dinner, enjoy turkey breast with sides of guacamole, barley and cranberry sauce. Turkey breast is a lean meat. Guacamole is made of avocados and contains high concentrations of healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated fatty acids that can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Barley is a low glycemic whole grain that can help you control your blood sugar.
Beverages
Patients with colitis require high amounts of fluids, in part to prevent constipation. Avoid drinking beverages containing alcohol or caffeine, which can exacerbate colitis symptoms and carbonated beverages which can cause gas. Instead drink water, soy milk or almond milk. Soy and almond milks contain healthy fats that can relieve colitis symptoms and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Drinking soymilk results in a significant decrease in blood cholesterol, according to research by scientists at Gifu University School of Medicine in Japan and published in "Preventive Medicine" in October 2000.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Ulcerative Colitis; 2006
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse; Diabetes; 2010
- MedlinePlus; Soy; 2010
- University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Center for Integrative Medicine; Glycemic Index; 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; June 25 2009
- Mayo Clinic; Ulcerative Colitis; August 15 2009
