Diet & Nutrition for Collagenous Colitis

Collagenous colitis is an inflammatory disease of the connective tissue, or collagen, in the lining of the colon. The most common sign of collagenous colitis is chronic or occasional diarrhea that appears watery, but not bloody. Most people who have the disease have anywhere from 4 to 20 bowel movements a day.

Treatment for collagenous colitis comes in phases, with the first treatment being diet changes. Doctors say these diet changes will resolve this colon problem in most cases, although sometimes medication and even surgery may be necessary.

Cutting Fat

Start by cutting back on how much fat you eat. Choose salads instead of fries and look for foods that are not fried. Grilled items are a nice replacement. Also choose the low fat or fat free versions of foods when possible.

When you're shopping for meat, take a close look at the cuts you select. Always look for leaner meat. Skinless chicken and fish are always good choices. Avoid processed meats like hot dogs or pepperoni.

If you must use cooking oil in a recipe, use a small amount of olive oil because it's heart healthy. Canola oil is also a good lower-fat choice.

Cheese and many dairy foods are also high in fat, so plan your menus without these ingredients.

Eliminate Lactose

Another reason to eliminate cheese and dairy foods from your diet is the lactose. Lactose is milk sugar, and there are a number of products available for those on a lactose-free diet. Soy milk or rice milk are lactose free and make a good replacement for regular milk in many recipes. You also might try a lactose-free product like Lactaid to replace milk used for cooking.

Some products also contain hidden milk items in them, so read the labels before you buy. Any products that list milk, milk solids or whey are made with milk.

Cut the Caffeine

Caffeine is another no-no for patients with collagenous colitis. Switch to decaffeinated coffee and sodas. Also chocolate candies contain small amounts of caffeine and should be avoided.

Another place to eliminate caffeine from your diet is in your pain reliever. Some headache medicines have caffeine in them, so check the label before you take it.

Other Foods to Cut

Spicy foods and alcohol are two other food groups to avoid, along with any foods which cause gas. Raw fruits and vegetables can be harsh on the colon, so always cook them. Beans, cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage can also cause gas even if they're cooked, so it's best to eliminate those from your diet completely.