Colitis
Diet For Disease Sufferers
Although there are medications
to help decrease the symptoms you endure when suffering from ulcerative
colitis, there are further measures you can take. A colitis diet
is advisable to sufferers because it helps decrease, if not eliminate,
debilitating symptoms such as bloody diarrhea and severe abdominal
pain. There is no proof that what you eat can cause inflammatory
bowel disease, but avoiding problem foods with a colitis diet can
be beneficial.
A colitis diet involves:
- A limited amount of dairy products—if
you’re suffering from ulcerative colitis, you likely experience
excessive gas, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps after consuming
dairy foods. This could indicate that you’re lactose intolerant,
which means your body cannot digest milk sugar properly. Sometimes
eating low-lactose foods is enough, while other people need
to eliminate dairy all together.
- Fiber, no fiber—for many people, a
healthy diet consists of a good source of fiber from raw vegetables
and fruits. Unfortunately, these foods can cause bouts of diarrhea,
gas and more for colitis sufferers. To avoid this, try steaming,
baking or stewing your fruits and veggies. A colitis diet steers
you away from foods in the cabbage family, and crunchy foods
such as carrots and apples.
- Problem foods—if you are partaking
in a colitis diet, you should avoid foods such as raw fruits,
spicy foods, popcorn, beans, cabbage, and soda. These can worsen
your symptoms.
- Eating smaller meals—eating five or
six smaller meals may sit better than two or three larger ones.
- Drink liquids—water is the best liquid
you can drink. You should avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks
and carbonated drinks since they stimulate your intestines and
cause diarrhea as well as gas.
• Multivitamins—a colitis diet
can be beneficial, but it can also reduce the amount of helpful
nutrients you ingest. Multivitamins supply you with the nutrients
your new diet may lack.
>If you are experiencing bloody diarrhea
and severe abdominal cramps and pains, contact your physician. Speak
with your doctor if you plan on incorporating a colitis diet in
your daily life.
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