Foods for people with colitis: recommendations and don'ts

In addition to regularly taking medication from a doctor and ensuring a healthier life, people with colitis must also pay attention to daily food intake to keep their condition from getting worse. Come on, see more about what can and should not be eaten by people with colitis!

List of foods that are recommended for people with colitis

According to a report from the University of Massachusetts of Medical School, inflammation can reduce the number of good bacteria that live in the gut while the bad bacteria grow more. That's why an imbalance of bacteria in the stomach can make colitis symptoms prone to recur. Even so, calm down first.

There are several foods that are said to be good for the health of people with colitis. These foods can help increase the number of good bacteria and maintain a healthy gut condition.

1. Probiotics

You need to increase your intake of foods high in probiotics. Probiotics themselves are a type of good bacteria. Eating probiotic foods can help balance the number of bad bacteria in the body. Some of the best probiotic foods for people with colitis include yogurt, kefir, and tempeh.

2. Prebiotics

The presence of good bacteria is needed by the intestines for digestion and metabolism. But in order for the colonies of good bacteria in the gut to live a long life, they need food.

The most ideal food for the survival of good bacteria is prebiotics. Prebiotics are a special type of fiber that helps bacteria reproduce and keeps the intestines smooth. The more the number of good bacteria and the more smoothly the intestines contract, the inflammation can slowly improve.

Some foods high in prebiotics for people with colitis include bananas, onions (garlic, onions, and shallots), yogurt, and asparagus.

3. Protein foods

Protein is useful for building new cells and tissues in the body, as well as repairing those damaged by inflammation.

The conclusion of research from the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) also agrees with this. Researchers found that protein intake from food can prevent inflammation in the intestine from recurring. That way, this process indirectly helps accelerate the healing of colitis.

You can get enough protein from lean meat, chicken breast, soybeans, eggs, and tempeh and tofu.

4. Fruits and vegetables low in fiber

Fruits and vegetables are healthy and must be consumed by everyone. However, fruits and vegetables that are suitable for people with colitis are low in fiber.

Good fruits for consumption by people with colitis are generally bananas, cantaloupe, and melons. These fruits are low in fiber so they are easily digested by the intestines.

As for vegetables, you can eat spinach, pumpkin, eggplant, skinless potatoes, green beans, asparagus, beets, carrots, and pumpkin (without seeds). These vegetables should be consumed cooked, by boiling or steaming to make it easier for the intestines to digest and absorb the nutrients.

6.Processed gluten-free wheat (gluten free)

Foods that are processed from whole grains such as white rice, pasta, oatmeal, and gluten-free bread are generally good for people with colitis.

These foods are generally processed in such a way so that it is easier for the intestines to be digested by inflammation.

Foods that people with colitis should avoid

People with colitis are often advised to avoid certain foods that can worsen their symptoms. The following are foods to avoid.

1. Fruits and vegetables high in fiber

Not all fruits and vegetables are good snacks for people with colitis. Some fruits and vegetables contain a type of fiber that is difficult for the intestines to digest, especially when the condition is still inflamed.

Fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber, such as unripe pears, apples, or fruit, should be avoided.

In addition, vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, beans, and corn, should also not be consumed.

The reason is, your stomach is unable to fully digest fibrous food. Undigested fiber will leave a residue and make the intestine narrow, so inflammation symptoms can get worse.

2. Foods high in fat

Fatty foods, such as butter, margarine, cream sauces, and fried foods can cause diarrhea.

Unprocessed whole nuts and seeds should also be avoided for people with colitis. Besides being difficult to digest, nuts also contain high fat, making them more prone to irritating the intestines.

3. Foods containing gluten

According to VeryWell, several studies report foods containing gluten are not good for people with colitis caused by Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

When inflamed, the work of the intestines to produce certain enzymes that are responsible for digesting gluten is inhibited. When your body is deficient in this enzyme, you are more susceptible to intolerance to gluten. As a result, you will be more at risk of experiencing stomach pain, bloating or cramps, to severe diarrhea (sometimes bleeding).

Another explanation from dr. Kelly Issokson MS, RD, from Cedars Sinai Medical Center said that foods high in gluten contain fermented sugars from the FODMAP group that are prone to recurring symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.

4. Other foods and beverages

In addition to the foods above, spicy foods are also taboo for people with colitis because they can further irritate the stomach.

Likewise with drinks in the form of alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and sodas. These drinks can trigger a recurrence of symptoms, or make your condition worse. Replace your drink with mineral water to relieve inflammation in the intestines.

Milk should also be avoided by colitis because the disease makes the body unable to produce enough of the enzyme lactase. This makes you prone to symptoms of lactose intolerance, which can exacerbate inflammatory bowel symptoms. Avoid drinking or food containing milk for a while until your colitis symptoms are completely healed.