"diet doesn't cause ulcerative colitis and special diets can't cure the disease " says walter j. coyle md director of the gastrointestinal program at scripps clinic medical center. "but it can help to avoid foods that your body has trouble tolerating or foods that irritate your bowels. " your doctor may give you a checklist of some foods that frequently cause problems including "gassy" foods such as broccoli cauliflower beans and whole grains. some dietitians recommend eating five or six small meals rather than two or three large ones. drinking plenty of fluids especially water can also help. but remember: no two ulcerative colitis sufferers are alike. a food that bothers one person may cause no problems at all in someone else. although a variety of popular inflammatory bowel disease diets have received a lot of hype doctors say no one diet has been proven to effectively treat the disease.
should i change my diet because of ulcerative colitis?