Colitis is a disease that affects the digestive system and can be relieved by diet.
Although a diet for colitis should vary according to its causes, as a general rule, people with colitis should avoid most foods that cause heartburn: peppers, tomatoes, coffee, alcohol, sugar, and dairy.
And choose neutral and mild foods for the digestive system: purees, lean meats, apples, and white rice. This is the best way to relieve your symptoms.
This article describes the causes, types, and symptoms of colitis, as well as how a correct diet for this disease is detailed, with a weekly menu plan.
Ulcerative Colitis: What is it?
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the digestive system. It usually affects the connection between the large intestine and the rectum. The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are diarrhea, fever, joint pain, weight loss, and inflammation in the colon.
While there is no cure for this disease, developing a proper diet and menu plan is the best treatment to alleviate symptoms.
This inflammatory disease can bring serious, even life-threatening problems when there are complications. The treatments and diet for colitis must be elaborated according to a person’s type, causes, and state of health.
Types of colitis (by causes)
At least four types are distinguished according to their causes:
- Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease. It is the most frequent and although its cause is not clear. It is believed to be due to an overreaction of the immune system to foreign substances in the digestive system. There is no cure. However, doctors develop a menu or diet plan to alleviate your symptoms.
- Colitis pseudomembranosa
The cause of pseudomembranous colitis is infection with a bacterium of the genus Clostridium. This bacterium inhabits the intestine typically; however, when there is an alteration in the number of good microorganisms, it grows and releases a toxin that causes inflammation. To prevent this type of inflammation, the use of probiotics is recommended. One treatment is antibiotics are effective in curing it.
- Ischemic colitis
Disruption of the normal flow of blood in the intestine is the cause of ischemic colitis. It can be accompanied by internal bleeding and is a possible indicator of certain types of cancer.
- Allergic colitis
Allergic colitis is caused by excessive reflux and allergy to milk, eggs, or cereals components. It is the most common type in children. His treatment is a menu plan with restrictions on dairy foods, refined flour, and other foods.
Diet for colitis – foods allowed and prohibited
A correct menu plan for colitis should be tailored by type. However, it is possible to establish general rules of allowed and prohibited foods. The food fiber avoids excess and all acid and spicy foods properties.
Vegetables are allowed as long as they are steamed. Dairy products should be avoided in cases of allergic colitis, due to the overreaction of some of the milk components, for example people with lactose intolerance.
Alcohol, coffee, sugary sodas, and sugar substitutes like sorbitol and xylitol are forbidden foods of all types.
Allowed foods:
- Pasta and white bread
- Non-whole grains: White rice, wheat,
- Boiled vegetables: Potatoes, zucchini, squash
- Fruits: apples, banana, pear, plum
- Lean meats
- Purees
- Non-acidic fruit juices
- Vegetable oils
Food not allowed:
- Alcohol
- Café
- Sugary soft drinks
- Dairy (in cases of allergic colitis)
- Legumes (lentils, beans, chickpeas)
- Nuts
- Whole grains
- Popcorn
- Sorbitol
- Raw fruits and vegetables
- White sugar
- Spicy food condiments
Ulcerative colitis menu plan
The following menu plan was developed for ulcerative and allergic colitis cases. The foods can vary according to each patient. The daily caloric intake is approximately 2000 Kcal per day.
| DIET FOR ULCEROUS COLITIS | Daily menu plan |
| Intake | Plato |
| Breakfast | Natural apple juice 200 cc White bread 2 slices Sodium-free ham 100 g Banana 1 unit |
| Lunch | Chicken meat 120 g Virgin olive oil 10 mL White rice 120 g Apple sauce 100 g |
| Afternoon snack | Oatmeal cookies without sugar 5 units Natural fruit smoothie |
| price | Quinoa 150 g Boiled vegetables 200 g Coconut oil 20 g Pear compote 100 g |
Ulcerative colitis menu plan 2000 KCal daily
Colitis symptoms
Ulcerative colitis symptoms can vary depending on the degree of inflammation. Most people experience symptoms associated with the digestive system and changes in body composition. The symptoms of colitis are:
- Diarrhea
- Blood or pus in the stool
- Abdominal pain
- Rectal pain or bleeding
- Weightloss
- Fever
- Fatigue
Colitis is an inflammatory disease of the digestive system. The types according to their causes are: ulcerative, pseudomembranous, ischemic, and allergic. Each must be treated with a specific diet or eating plan. However, it is possible to establish a general allowed and prohibited foods list.
