- Fiber should be monitored in patients' diets. Fiber adds bulk to the diet and can make the intestines work harder to digest. A low-fiber diet won't irritate the gastrointestinal tract and reduces bowel movements during the day. Patients should limit their intake of beans and whole grains.
- High-fat foods, including red meat, butter and fried foods should be reduced by colitis patients. High-fat foods are difficult to digest, which puts a strain on the intestinal tract. Good fats such as olive oil should replace high fat/bad fat foods. Fried foods can cause diarrhea in colitis patients and should be eaten sparingly.
- Caffeine and alcohol are considered stimulants and should be avoided by colitis patients. Caffeinated beverages such as coffee and soda can cause stomach cramping and constipation and can exacerbate colitis symptoms. These beverages are also highly acidic, which can upset the stomach lining and cause bleeding.
- Spicy food is the worst food that colitis patients could eat. Spicy foods cause stomach and rectal inflammation, which could cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Colitis patients should eliminate spicy foods from their diets.
- Colitis diets vary from patient to patient. Patients need to monitor their diet with a medical doctor. It's recommended to keep a food diary and track what foods trigger specific symptoms. If patients experience painful stomach cramps or severe diarrhea after eating certain foods, seek immediate medical attention.
