Colitis or inflammation of the colon is a condition, accompanied by mild to severe abdominal pain and other bowel irregularities; which makes it imperative to adopt a Colitis diet plan. Colitis can cramp your lifestyle with the perpetual discomfort in the lower abdominal region. To avoid the symptoms from erupting you should learn about the foods to eat and the ones to avoid in a colitis diet menu plan.
 

The principle of Colitis diet plan

Colitis is an inflammatory condition of the lining of the intestines, which manifests into symptoms such as abdominal cramping, frequent loose stools (sometimes passed with blood or mucous), fever and weight-loss.
Colitis can be caused either due to bacterial (exposure to salmonella) or viral infections, where as others can be due to IBD or irritable bowel disorder, which generally manifests to this kind of inflammation. So a colitis diet plan will center on foods which will be easily digestible, not high in fiber and are soothing for the bowel. These foods should also be enriched with proteins and iron to make over for the degeneration of intestinal tissue linings due to colitis and, the blood loss with stool passage.

Diet menu for Colitis  – The outline

Foods recommended         
•    Whole grains- Complex carbs    
•    Protein-rich beans, legumes, lentils, peas    
•    Iron rich foods    
•    Low-fiber foods        
•    Yoghurt  

  Foods to avoid   
•    Refined foods- white flour products
•    Foods with high acidity- caffeine
•    Spicy and oily foods
•    Soft drinks
•    Red meat
•    Citrus

Colitis diet menu plan

Any intestinal disorder requires that the pressure be less on the digestive system, with the intake acting as good assuaging agent. Here the onus is on small, frequent meals, which are highly nutritive. Remember, in colitis the bowels are subject to “wear and tear” because of the inflammation, so the objective is less of stress for the GI tract. Also it is important to chew your food properly before swallowing it.

•    Early Morning Drink: A glass of tender coconut water is a good way to kickstart a colitis diet menu plan. Skimmed milk with bit of honey or fruit juice(papaya juice) can also be taken in the morning.

•    Breakfast: Porridge or whole grain cereals, with the addition of bran or sandwiches(made of whole-grain bread) with home-made cottage cheese or plain toast can be your main breakfast item. A well-ripened banana can be taken in supplement the breakfast.

•    Mid morning Snacks: For mind morning snacks, sprouted seeds and grains steamed and mildly seasoned give the "protein-puff" for the day.

•    Lunch: Soft cooked rice, with steamed vegetables(green-leafy) for their iron content. can be had for lunch with yoghurt as a must-include for its high probiotic content. Go for the lean meat variety, and fish, which are canned and drained. Remember the mode of cooking should either be baking or steaming with very less oil. Raw cabbage juice will ideally complement your lunch.

•    Evening snacks: A fruit salad with banana and apples doused in skimmed milk and garnished with almonds(soaked overnight and skin removed) can be a filling snack. Or, dried fruits such as apricots and prunes can also pitch in.

•    Dinner: Lentils cooked and drained and mildly seasoned(with cayenne and ginger), with rice and quinoa sprouts can be optimum for dinner in a colitis diet menu plan. Carrot juice sprinkled with sunflower seeds can be taken for a finishing touch to the "wind-up" time.

•    Before bed time: An apple milk shake(skinned apple) with skimmed milk and honey instead of sugar can be settling for the GI tract.

Before resorting to any diet-plan it is imperative to consult your physician or care provider to see what is best suited to your constitution or prevailing health condition.

With the above tips on colitis diet plan, you can get relief from some of the symptoms of colitis bloating to ‘cramp’ your very living!

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