Colitis Diet, Crohns,
and Specific Carbohydrate Diet

The best colitis diet for ulcerative colitis treatment and colitis cure is similar to a crohn's diet that controls inflammation, bloody diarrhea, cramping, and bowel disorders. An IBD or IBS diet will help heal the large intestine (colon) that ulcerative colitis has damaged. Many forms of colitis such as pseudomembranous, ischemic, collagenous, lymphocytic, and microscopic colitis may be improved through proper nutrition.

Ulcerative Colitis Diet

Other alternatives to surgery include making the best out of natural therapies and medication combined. Many people with UC or Crohn's disease as well as doctors have seen patients get better through dietary changes. Because ulcerative colitis causes blood loss, vital nutrients and minerals are not able to be absorbed by the body (malabsorbtion). Grains cause irritation for most people with inflammatory bowel disease. People who eat high-sugar and low-fiber diets have a higher incidence of ulcerative colitis and yeast infection symptoms. When you begin a colitis diet for UC management it will normally last for 3 months or more depending on how long it takes until you feel you're completely healed. Some people start to feel a change within 3 weeks.

First, eliminate all gluten foods and dairy from your diet. Then, you'll need to take supplements that contain bacteria called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium (Bifidus). These are known as probiotics and you should only buy the refrigerated kind that includes L. acidophilus, L. salivarius, L. paracasei, and L. plantarum, and Streptococcus thermophilus. Then find B. lactis and S. thermophilus. The bottle should contain 15 billion or more living organisms through the expiration date and preferably buy dairy-free. Twice daily take 15 billion of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains.

Here is a list of the other supplements to use daily while on your colitis diet that restore intestinal tissue, taken in part from nutritionist David Dahlman's protocol:

Note: If you experience any pain or nausea from taking any of these supplements discontinue taking.

Food to Avoid and Food to Eat

Along with these supplements for a colitis diet it is essential to avoid all gas causing foods and foods that contain fructose and any foods that are sweet (molasses, syrup, sugar, corn, onions, tomatoes, etc).

For many people with UC or Crohn's disease this means eliminating fruit and certain vegetables and beans that cause gas. If you do eat beans, the recommended preparation is to soak them over night preferably for at least 12 hours and replace the dirty water with clean water and simmer for about 1 hour.

Eliminate all dairy, gluten (wheat, oats, rye, barley, white flour, whole wheat flower, unbleached flour, pasta, cake, crackers, malt, dried fruit) and wait about 45 minutes before and after eating to drink liquids.

Eat food that do not cause irritation such as eggs, red potatoes, seaweeds, nuts (no peanuts as they usually contain mold) and seeds, cold-pressed oils, apple cider vinegar, spinach, chicken, salmon, sardines, turkey, balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, beef (try to buy organic meat if possible). Remember, every person is different so even if a food is on the “good food” list and you feel uncontrollable after eating it, don't.

Once you've followed the colitis diet for ulcerative colitis and no longer show any symptoms, you can gradually add foods from the do not eat list. Only add these foods back if they don't cause a problem for you and possibly eliminate problem causing foods indefinitely. Increase fiber intake once your IBS is under control. High fiber diets are recommended.

Practice relaxation and stress relief techniques. Stress can cause irregular bowel movements.

Having an IgG or IgG4 test for food sensitivities and IgE food allergy test and also parasite test done by a lab that specializes in parasite testing is also helpful to rule out those conditions.

Specific Carbohydrate Diet

This diet was created by Dr Haas and biochemist Elaine Gottschall and it strives to eliminate sensitivity foods which are mostly grains and dairy. Much like the anti Candida diet this colitis diet is strict and only allows carbohydrates that are more easily digestible. Some of the food that are allowed are eggs, some fermented foods, fish, nuts, pure fruit juices, peppermint tea, pork, lamb, beef, and poultry. Foods not allowed are potatoes, legumes, dairy, grains, sugar, alcohol, and yams. For more information on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet you can reference the book titled Breaking the Vicious Cycle.

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