Paleo Diet for Ulcerative Colitis

The Paleo Diet is based on the diet of the last 80 tribes of hunter-gatherers left in the world today. Their diet hasn't changed much since human beings first walked the planet. Those who believe the Paleo Diet works say the reason these modern day hunter-gatherers don't suffer from many of the diseases that plague the world's general population today is because of their ancient diet.

Dr. Walter Voegtlin was one of the first to document treatment of ulcerative colitis patients with the Paleo Diet. He believed humans are carnivorous creatures and should eat as such.

The Paleo Diet as a Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis

Although most well-known medical organizations don't link the Paleo Diet with ulcerative colitis directly, a quick check of the diet recommended for colitis patients by the Mayo Clinic shows how following the Paleo Diet could help. The Mayo Clinic recommends you eliminate foods which cause gas or seem to make your symptoms worse. Beans are on the Mayo Clinic's list of things to avoid, as are dairy products and high-fiber foods like whole grains.

Foods to Cut

According to Dr. Ben Balzer, the author of "Introduction to the Paleolithic Diet," the basis of the Paleo Diet involves eliminating certain foods from your diet. He says you should start by eliminating all grains and potatoes from your diet.

The Paleo Diet also requires you to eliminate beans, dairy, sugar and salt from your diet.

Foods to Keep in Your Diet

You can keep eating meat, chicken, fish, fruit and vegetables (other than potatoes). Berries of all kinds are also a good choice for those on the Paleo Diet.

You can also keep eating most nuts, although not peanuts, because they are technically a bean. Cashews also have no place in the Paleo Diet. They belong to their own food family instead of the nut family.

As you embark on your Paleo Diet, replace the foods you cut from your diet with extra non-potato vegetables and organ meats like liver or kidney.

Adjusting to the Paleo Diet

Your body will take a bit of time to adjust to these drastic changes in your diet, so you should introduce it gradually. Dr. Balzer recommends you start the Paleo Diet with breakfast only because most people tend to eat a lot of grains for breakfast. After you find yourself adjusted to a Paleo breakfast, then add lunch to your paleo agenda. Expand to include dinner in your Paleo Diet after your body accepts both breakfast and lunch Paleo meals.