Question: I have ulcerative colitis and so do several of my family members. Over the years, we have experimented with different diets to try to attain a remission. Do you know of any foods that can help with colitis?

Dr. Hibberd's answer:
Please remember to have periodic colonoscopy surveillance because of an increased risk of colon malignancy among patients with ulcerative colitis. At some point, a prophylactic colectomy (surgical removal of large bowel or colon) may be recommended to reduce your risk of malignancy, so be sure to stay under medical supervision. Diet will not cure this disorder, but we have effective medications now and there is no firm evidence that what you eat causes inflammatory bowel disease. But certain foods and beverages can aggravate your symptoms, especially during a flare-up in your condition.

You can try eliminating from your diet anything that seems to make your signs and symptoms worse. You can be lactose intolerant, in which case you should limit your dairy intake. Adding fiber may make diarrhea, pain and gas worse. If raw fruits and vegetables bother you, you could try steaming, baking or stewing them. You can avoid beans, cabbage and broccoli, raw fruit juices and fruits, popcorn, caffeine, and carbonated beverages that cause “gas." Try to drink plenty of fluids daily, water is best. Avoid caffeinated drinks. Eat five or six small meals a day. If you find you are losing weight rapidly, visit a dietitian who will suggest the best diet plan for you.