If you have been experiencing stomach pain, nausea or other gastrointestinal discomfort, you may have a disorder such as diverticulitis or colitis. Your diet is an important factor in these conditions and a soft food diet may relieve symptoms. A variety of factors can affect diverticulitis and colitis; your doctor can give you more specific advice for your condition.
Diverticulitis episodes occur when diverticuli, or pouches in your intestinal tract, are irritated and painful, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Colitis, or inflammation of the colon, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. Common risk factors of these conditions include older age and obesity and you are also at higher risk if your diet is high in saturated fat and low in dietary fiber. A soft-food diet may reduce pain from flare-ups of these conditions because it will eliminate the potential for hard foods to irritate the lining of your gastrointestinal tract.
Foods to Include
On a soft diet, you can have refined breads and pasta as well as cereals and white rice, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. You can eat soft, raw, peeled fruits, cooked or canned fruits, skinless vegetables and potatoes, raw lettuce and tomatoes. A soft diet allows milk, yogurt and cheese, but you may need to limit your consumption of milk if you are lactose-intolerant and it aggravates symptoms of colitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. A soft diet allows well-cooked, tender meats and fish, eggs, tofu and peanut butter.
Foods to Avoid
Foods with seeds, dried fruit or nuts are not allowed on a soft-food diet because they can increase your pain. Similarly, avoid hard raw fruits and vegetables, meat and fish with bones, popcorn and whole grain products, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. Alcohol, caffeine and carbonated beverages may be allowed on a standard soft-food diet, but you may need to avoid them if you have diverculitis or colitis because they can cause diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Other Information
A high-fiber diet can lower your risk for developing diverticulitis and colitis; fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts are good sources. However, you may need to limit your intake during a flare-up of diverticulitis or colitis so you can reduce discomfort, according to the Mayo Clinic. Eating smaller meals may also be beneficial. Diverticulitis and colitis are distinct conditions, and the best diet for your individual situation may not be a soft diet. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your diet or health.
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