Approximately 700,000 Americans suffer from ulcerative colitis, according to 2011 information from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Ulcerative colitis can affect both men and women. Many doctors treat ulcerative colitis using anti-inflammatory drugs. Dietary modification may also reduce inflammation of the colon, improving symptoms. Although some people with ulcerative colitis may successfully follow the South Beach Diet, certain foods that the diet recommends could exacerbate your symptoms. Discuss the South Beach Diet plan with your doctor before using it to treat your condition.
Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms
Physicians characterize ulcerative colitis as a type of inflammatory bowel disease in which the inner lining of your colon and rectum becomes inflamed. Small sores develop in your digestive tract, causing pain and bleeding. Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis include rectal bleeding, loose stools, bloody stools, abdominal cramps, weight loss, poor appetite, skin lesions, joint pain, nausea and fever. Changing your diet may alleviate some of these symptoms.
South Beach Diet Features
Cardiologist Arthur Agatston created the South Beach Diet. His book, "The South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss" was first published in 2003. Agatston's intention was that diet would provide a long-term solution for people trying to lose weight and keep it off. The diet begins with a two-week detoxification stage in which you cannot eat carbohydrates, fruits, alcohol, fruit juice, fatty meats or processed foods. Acceptable foods include skinless chicken, lean beef, tofu, eggs, high-fiber vegetables, olive oil and low-fat dairy products. The second and third diet phases focus on whole-grain products, high-fiber vegetables, nuts, beans, certain fruits and low-fat dairy products.
Ulcerative Colitis Nutrition
Specific nutritional requirements for ulcerative colitis vary on an individual basis. You must try different foods to determine what works best for you. Although the South Beach Diet may work for some people with ulcerative colitis, it contains several foods that can exacerbate your symptoms. The South Beach Diet emphasizes high-fiber foods such as fresh vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products. According to MayoClinic.com, these high-fiber foods may cause abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea and other symptoms in people with ulcerative colitis. The low-fat dairy products that the South Beach Diet recommends may also cause digestive problems.
Considerations
Some features of the South Beach Diet may be beneficial for people with ulcerative colitis. Eating several small meals per day tends to improve gastrointestinal symptoms, while drinking plenty of fluids keeps your body hydrated. Although the South Beach Diet recommends fresh, high-fiber produce, baking or stewing vegetables may help you digest them better. Discuss your condition with your doctor before going on the South Beach Diet to make sure it is appropriate for you.
References
- MayoClinic.com: South Beach Diet
- Diet.com: South Beach Diet
- MayoClinic.com: Ulcerative Colitis Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America: Diet and Nutrition
- UVA Health: Nutrition and Ulcerative Colitis
- Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America: About Ulcerative Colitis and Proctitis
