Colitis occurs when the large intestine, or colon, becomes chronically inflamed. This is a dangerous condition that often leads to ulcers and inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. Many people who have colitis experience severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.
In most cases, colitis occurs in conjunction with Chron’s disease, another type of inflammation of the intestines. Together, this results in inflammatory bowel disease, a painful condition that can last for years if not treated properly.
People who go on the Colitis Diet may experience relief of their symptoms. The Colitis Diet simply encourages foods that are easy on the digestive system and eliminates those that aren’t.
While on the Colitis Diet, dieters are encouraged to drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet that consists of the following foods:
Meat or alternative sources of protein such as eggs and nuts
Dairy
Cereal and grains
Plenty of fruits and vegetables
In addition, foods to avoid include:
Milk and milk products such as ice cream and yogurt
Fattening foods, including butter, margarine, fried foods, or greasy foods
Food high in fiber that tend to worsen the symptoms of colitis
Alcoholic drinks
Caffeinated beverages
Dieters are encouraged to eat small meals throughout the day, only eat when hungry, and drink fluids while eating. In addition, doctors recommend that those on the colitis diet eat when relaxed rather than on the run, as this can worsen symptoms.
Review
The following review of the colitis diet is based on a scale of 1-5 (1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest) based on the following criteria:
Health – 4. This diet is as healthy as the dieter makes it. In theory, it is a healthy diet because it eliminates foods that are particularly bad for people, like greasy and fattening foods, and it also encourages a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. By following the diet closely and eating small amounts of foods every few hours, this diet is very healthy.
Cost – 1. There is no need to purchase anything special on the colitis diet. Food items eaten are those found in local grocery stores that are likely to be found on people’s shopping lists anyway.
Ease of Implementation – 4. This diet is easy to implement. Preparing foods is simple and doesn’t require special tools or lists. The list of foods to avoid is fairly short, so there is no need to memorize a long list.
Ease of Adherence – 4. Many people will find it easy to stick with this diet. It is simple and balanced, so dieters should not feel deprived. Slipping up occasionally will not cause any long-term damage, discomfort, or health problems. People might find it easier to adhere to because their symptoms improve.
Speed – 3. People who follow this diet closely are likely to feel an improvement in their health after only a week or so.
Long-term potential – 5. The colitis diet has a high long-term potential rating as it is easy to adhere to and will result in feeling healthier in the long run. In addition, the fact that the diet is healthy makes its long term potential rating high.
Family Friendly – 4. This diet is healthy for anyone, so there is no need to prepare special meals each night.