How to eat when constipation and colitis? The doctor named foods to normalize bowel function

How to eat with constipation and colitis? The doctor named foods to normalize bowel function

Recommendations for alleviating symptoms and preventing exacerbations.

General practitioner, ex-director of the Hillel Foundation in Saratov

“Various bowel diseases, such as constipation or colitis, can significantly affect a person’s quality of life and general well-being. Their treatment often involves dietary changes to alleviate symptoms and improve stool regularity. In this article, we will look at a gentle diet for intestinal disorders.”

Constipation: nutritious foods for stool regularity

Constipation, characterized by infrequent defecation and difficulty defecating, can often be controlled by changing your diet. Choosing foods high in fiber is essential to ensure bowel regularity and prevent constipation.

Here are some foods suitable for constipation:

• Whole-grain foods: brown rice, whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread. These are great sources of fiber that promote healthy digestion and regular stools;
• fruits and vegetables: apples, pears, berries and vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and leafy greens are rich in fiber and help relieve constipation.

• Legumes: lentils, chickpeas and beans. These are high-fiber foods that support digestive health;
• nuts and seeds. Snack on nuts and seeds such as almonds, flax seeds and chia seeds. They are a great source of fiber and healthy fats that promote stool regularity.

Colitis: gentle foods to soothe the gut

Colitis refers to inflammatory bowel disease and can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and feelings of fatigue. When treating it, it is important to choose gut-sparing foods.

• Cooked vegetables. Steam or boil foods such as carrots, zucchini and green beans until they are soft and easily digestible. They have essential nutrients and don’t contain excessive amounts of fiber, which can irritate the intestines.
• Lean protein: chicken, fish, tofu, and eggs. These protein sources contain essential nutrients but are also easy to digest.
• Low-fiber fruits: bananas, melons, and peeled soft apples. These fruits are less likely to burden the intestines.
• Cereals cooked until soft: white rice, oatmeal and quinoa. Easily digestible grains help provide energy without stressing the gut.

Individualize your diet

While the above recommendations can be a good start to making dietary changes, it’s worth noting that people may respond differently to certain foods.

What works for one person may not work for another. So listen to your body, pay attention to how certain foods affect you.

It is important to consult with your doctor or a certified nutritionist before making any significant changes to your diet, especially if you have specific dietary restrictions or medical conditions.