Colitis is the inflammation of the colon; it can cause pain, discomfort, and a host of other chronic problems. Curing colitis with food is a smart and easy way of dealing with this disorder. If you’ve been diagnosed with colitis, exercise and diet are key to a successful recovery, supplemented, of course, by prescribed medications.
Here, we will discuss the five best diets for colitis, which can fast track your progress to good health and well-being.
The diets for colitis
The ulcerative colitis diet cuts out food groups that cause harm to your body and includes foods that reduce inflammation. This includes foods like salmon, flax seeds, vegetables rich in omega-3s, and probiotic foods that help heal your colon lining.
Probiotic foods aid in mucus accumulation and prevent foreign bacteria from invading your system. This helps you avoid a response or flare-up from your immune system. Including calcium-rich foods is part of the ulcerative colitis diet protocol; they help improve the secretion of hormones and promote healthy bone density.
Folate-rich foods are also part of this diet for colitis.
The Specific Carbohydrates Diet (SCD)
The diet proposes the avoidance of harmful and refined carbs, except carbs that fall under the ‘monosaccharides’ category.
The premise behind the diet is that it starves harmful bacteria lining the colon, and promotes the growth and restoration of healthy bacteria. Clinically, it hasn’t been endorsed yet. However, users of the SCD diet have found relief from various symptoms of colitis.
Since the diet is low in carbs, it encourages you to eat nutrient-dense foods. It helps necessary vitamins and minerals to get absorbed by the colon, for its healing.
The Paleo Diet
The Paleo Diet consists of one core philosophy, eating as cavemen did. Eating raw, wholesome foods is the core component of a Paleo diet; you can have fun with this.
The Paleo diet includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and fish. It prohibits the consumption of processed foods, refined sugars, fried foods, and foods filled with unhealthy saturated fats. This includes most products that are canned or factory-made.
Any food that comes packed, frozen, pre-made, or manufactured, via unnatural means, is prohibited in a paleo diet.
The Vegan Diet
You can think of the vegan diet like the Paleo, minus the meats. The vegan diet is purely plant-based and stocked with nutrient-dense foods, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
The best part about a vegan diet is that if you tend to overeat, you don’t have to worry. You don’t have to count calories or track your macronutrients, and it’s good for your colon health. Your colon needs the right dose of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. A vegan diet for colitis is filled with all of that. Nuts and flaxseeds are also included in the vegan diet; the primary food group included is cruciferous vegetables and leafy greens. Protein is not an issue since you can obtain it from nuts and seeds.
Dairy, animal products, fish, and meats are not part of the vegan diet; that’s what separates this from the Paleo.
The Low FODMAP Diet
The Low FODMAP is one of the best diets for colitis. It helps prevent flare-ups, bloating, gas, bouts of diarrhea, and other factors that contribute to the development of ulcerative colitis.
The low FODMAP diet is strongly endorsed by medical practitioners, in conjunction with medications and other supplements; the diet alone cannot eliminate ulcerative colitis. It simply provides relief and removes foods that are rich in short-chain carbohydrates that contribute to the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
It does not treat inflammation or reverse it. It simply prevents the condition from getting worse than it already is.
An unhealthy intestinal tract or colon lining leads to ulcerative colitis. An unhealthy lining starts with an unhealthy lifestyle. To combat ulcerative colitis, make the change to a healthier quality of living; diet is crucial to recovery.
If you are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis or know someone who is having this condition, know that the best bet is a proper diet for colitis and healthy lifestyle. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to help cleanse your colon, urinate frequently and flush out toxins by regularly making trips to the bathroom. Finally, follow up with your doctor on matters of your medication.
Exercise can raise your body’s immunity, and help promote the development of flora lining your colon. These organisms fight against inflammation and intrusive bacteria. This helps cleanse the colon and eliminates E.Coli. By exercising regularly and having a proper diet for colitis, you should be well on your way to ridding your body of this chronic condition, and on the road to a better life.
