Colitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the lining of the colon, or large intestines. Infectious colitis is irritation of the digestive tract caused by an infectious agent, such as a bacteria, virus or parasite. It may result in periods of stomach pain, bloating, bloody diarrhea, loss of body fluid and nutrients, a lack of appetite, anemia, fatigue and weight loss. Infectious colitis typically resolves without treatment. While there is no special diet for this type of inflammatory bowel disease, eating certain foods allows the bowel to rest, helps relieve symptoms and promotes quick recovery.
A Balanced Diet
Eating a variety of foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, is the foundation of a healthy, well-balanced diet. If you find high-fiber foods make your colitis symptoms worse, try baking, steaming or cooking food rather than eating it raw. Choose antioxidant-rich produce like tomatoes, blueberries, cherries, squash and bell peppers. Eat five or six small, frequent meals throughout the day rather than two or three large ones. Select lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and beans to help meet your daily protein needs. The body needs a certain amount of fat each day. Choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, or healthy fats, found in vegetable oils, flax seed and fatty fish. You should eat bland, low-fiber foods during flare-ups. This will give the bowel a rest and minimize symptoms.
Foods to Avoid
Some foods may aggravate your infectious colitis symptoms and make you feel worse. These foods typically include gas-producing vegetables such as beans, onions, cabbage, broccoli; raw fruits and fruit juices; spicy foods; artificial sweeteners; chocolate; fats; caffeine; alcohol and carbonated beverages. Limit your intake of cholesterol, trans fat, saturated fat and sodium, especially from fatty cuts of meat and whole-milk dairy products. Limiting or eliminating dairy products from your diet may relieve symptoms of diarrhea, gas, bloating and abdominal cramps. It may help to keep a food diary, or a record of the foods that exacerbate your symptoms. Consult your physician with your list and discuss alternative foods.
Fluids
It is important to drink enough fluid each day. If you are experiencing significant diarrhea as a result of infectious colitis, adequate fluid intake is especially important to replace losses. On average, you should drink between 8 and 10 cups of liquid per day to prevent dehydration. Drink whenever you are thirsty; it's your body's way of telling you that you need fluid. Water is the safest choice, but you may include fruit juices, soft drinks and broth. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages as these may make diarrhea worse by stimulating the intestines and producing gas.
Key Nutrients
Infectious colitis and its symptoms can interfere with your body's ability to absorb nutrients properly. Additionally, your diet may not be nutritionally adequate because you do not have an appetite. Getting enough nutrients is a critical component of a diet for infectious colitis. Therefore, you may need vitamin and mineral supplements to supply missing nutrients. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, you may require up to 800 mcg folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids such as 3.7 g EPA and 2.2 g DHA, 1,000 IU vitamin D, 1,000 to 1,200 mg calcium in addition to iron, selenium and N-acetyl glucosamine to replace losses. Studies suggest that probiotics, or good bacteria, may be beneficial in restoring bacterial balance in the intestines and reducing symptoms of infectious colitis, notes University of Maryland Medical Center.
