Diet and lifestyle

As always try to eat a well balanced diet based on fresh, unprocessed raw or very lightly cooked living foods.

Drink plenty of water and fluids but limit caffeine, fizzy drinks and alcohol.

Include plenty of soluble fibre such as peeled vegetables and fruits, porridge and oats and white rice as these give bulk for the intestines to work on and prevent constipation. Insoluble fibre such as wheat and bran and vegetable and fruit peel, beans and pulses can irritate the condition so use sparingly.

Use dairy foods sparingly, especially during a flare up. The lactose contained in dairy foods can remain undigested and irritate the bowel and cause bloating and diarrhoea.

Avoid all junk, sugary and processed 'dead' foods, all margarines and processed fats and oils, and all artificial sweeteners as they are very harmful to the entire digestive system and ultimately, overall health. Try eating only fresh fruit and veg for a few weeks and see what happens!

Limit red meat intake.

Many sufferers advocate fasting for a few days whilst consuming only freshly prepared fruit or veg juices, healing herb teas, thin watery soups and spring water before slowly introducing foods like mashed bananas and steamed mashed fruits and veg (ie. home cooked baby food!) day by day.