Colitis Diet

It is recommended that a person with colitis stick to a low residue diet which will have an effect much like that of constipation. This means that bowel movements will decrease and the infection or inflammation can have a chance to heal.

A low residue diet is one that consists of a daily intake of no more than 10 grams of fibre. While on this diet for an extended period of time it is recommended that a multi-vitamin or mineral supplement be taken daily. This ensures that minerals and vitamins lost while on the low residue diet are made by taking supplements.

During a mild attack of colitis, your doctor may recommend a clear liquid diet or a low-fibre diet. This helps the area of infection to heal.

Foods allowed on a clear-liquid diet include:

• Plain water
• Fruit juices without pulp
• Broth (bouillon or consomme)
• Gelatin
• Frozen juices (popsicles) without bits of fruit or fruit pulp
• Tea or coffee without cream
  

Grain products to be eaten while on the low residue diet include:

• refined white bread, buns and english muffins
• cereals including: cornflakes, rice bubbles, special K and cheerios
• biscuits including: arrowroot biscuits and water crackers
• white rice, refined pasta and noodles
• any fruit and vegetable juice excluding prune juice
• stone fruits, melons, grapes and canned fruit salad
• potatoes with no skin, alfalfa sprouts, beetroot, green beans, carrots, celery, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, mushrooms, capsicum, squash and zucchini
• well cooked meat fish and eggs can all be eaten too

AVOID:

• whole grains
• raw and dried fruits, sultanas, raisins, berries
• broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage
• all nuts and seeds
  

Once your symptoms improve — often within a few days — you can gradually increase the amount of fibre in your diet. Start by adding about 5 to 15 grams of fiber a day to allow your digestive system to adjust to the higher fibre intake.

To prevent attacks of colitis:

Eat more fibre. High-fibre foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, soften waste and help it pass more quickly through your colon. This reduces pressure within your digestive tract. Aim for 25 to 30 grams of fibre a day. If you have a difficult time consuming this much fiber every day, consider using a fiber supplement, such as psyllium (Metamucil, Nature's Way) or methylcellulose (Citrucel).

Drink plenty of fluids. Fibre works by absorbing water and increasing the soft, bulky waste in your colon. But if you don't drink enough liquid to replace what is absorbed, fibre can be constipating.
Exercise regularly. Exercise promotes normal bowel function and reduces pressure inside your colon, decreasing your chances of forming diverticula.

More information

coming up