Colitis Diet

Colitis is a chronic digestive disease, which basically occurs due to inflammation of colon. The condition is inflammatory and promotes auto immunity (a condition which leads the immune to respond against its own cells and tissues due to the failure of an organism to recognize its own constituent parts). Hence, it affects the tissue that lines the gastrointestinal system in an individual, leading to intense pain, tender abdomen, depression, weight loss, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, etc.

The people suffering from colitis are required to include enough protein, calories, vitamins (A, D, C, B-12, and folic acid), minerals (calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium) and other nutrients in their diet, to stay healthy. There are some food items, which should be avoided as well. This is because a change in diet has been found to be quite effective in treating the symptoms of colitis and easing the side effects as well. Given below is the recommended diet for colitis, in detail.

Colitis Recommended Diet

Milk and other diary products can lead to bloating, gas, and diarrhea. You need to take in foods that have low level of lactose, such as yoghurt and hard cheese.
Fatty foods such as butter, margarine, vegetable oil, processed snacks, meats, fast food and fried or battered food may trigger abdominal symptoms. This is because eating such foods may lead to mal-absorption in the body.
You need to avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they intensify the situation by stimulating diarrhea.
Do not take a high fiber diet, in case you are suffering from colitis, as it can worsen the condition, if not completely digested by the body.
Make sure you keep your body hydrated and drink plenty of fluids. Colitis causes fluid loss from the body, which needs to be replaced within time, to stay healthy.
Go for a diet rich in probiotics that will boost your intestine with friendly bacteria and will fight stomach acids, thereby making your intestinal flora balanced.
Eat fruits like apple, banana and papaya after peeling off their skin.
Avoid raw vegetables and eat rice and steamed vegetables, as they are good for the intestine.
Juice of raw cabbage, papaya and carrot can also be taken, as they are rich in the essential vitamins that are required by the body.
Foods that trigger gastric movement in the body should also be avoided. This would inlcude vegetable from the cabbage family, peppers, spices, carbonated drinks, certain lentils and peas.

Tips

Instead of having lavish meals, resort to small meals throughout the day, which will not exert the digestive system. Strictly avoid citrus juices.
Do not stop eating due to the fear of pain or diarrhea, as it will induce bloating and pain when finally you do eat.
Make sure you eat when you are hungry and not because you are supposed to eat. Do not overindulge in food.
Take small bites while eating your meals and chew the food properly.
Take some fluid with your meal and do not forcefully gulp it down.
Eat a variety of foods from different nutrient groups, but add only one new food to your diet at a single time.

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