Beat Colitis with the Right Diet

C olitis is an inflammation of the colon which many people suffer from which can only be alleviated by a good anti-colitis diet plan. Classified among the digestive diseases, this illness might stem from Chron’s disease or it might be ulcerative colitis which can cause ulcers in the patient’s colon. Because of this differentiation the symptoms may vary although common signs of colitis can be abdominal pain ranging from mild to severe, flatulence, bloody diarrhea or incontinence, loss of appetite and fatigue. This is a condition that needs to be investigated by your doctor as a self-diagnosis might result in mistakes and complications later on. After a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, however, there are a few good habits that one can learn and implement at home. Those suffering from ulcerative colitis know that certain foods can make the condition worse but that there are others that can help alleviate the symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no real list of dos and don’ts that can be followed by anyone as different foods might trigger flares in different people just like different foods might help different individuals. To find out what helps you and what you should avoid a good idea is to keep a food diary where every night you write what you have eaten during the day. You should do this over a medium-long period of time to truly find out what works for you and what doesn’t. A good rule of thumb is to stick to a well-balanced and healthy diet which includes lots of lean protein, cooked fruits and vegetables, and whole grains, and avoid processed foods. For example, a lot of people found that flares for them were triggered by drinks such as alcohol, carbonated drinks like coke, and caffeine. As far as food is concerned, instead, problem products might be spicy foods like curries and dishes with a lot of chili pepper, sorbitol- and refined sugar-filled foods like candies and chewing gum, seeds and nuts, legumes and dried fruits, and of course dairy products for those that are lactose intolerant in addition to suffering from colitis. However, while some foods might trigger flares, others might help to fight this chronic condition. The Low Residue Diet is a good example of a diet plan that helps: by advising patients to eat low-fiber foods, they ensure a correct digestion while slowing down bowel movement to prevent diarrhea. You don’t want to follow a specific diet? There are still foods that can help. Swap steel-cut oats for instant oatmeal which is easier to digest, and sweeten it with cinnamon or fruit puree instead of white sugar. For lunch or dinner instead you can serve salmon, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which colitis patients can benefit from. Eggs are another good source of protein as recent studies have found that linoleic acid, which is hidden in egg yolk, fight the irritation and swelling, while lean meat like poultry or pork are much better for you than red meat, which is high in saturated fat. Finally, unless you are lactose intolerant, the probiotics in yogurt can help the good bacteria in your gut and fight inflammation. Simply talk to your doctor and choose the anti-colitis diet plan that best works for you and your pain and discomfort will soon be forgotten. [Foto: flickr]