There’s no specific diet for people with microscopic colitis, but eating foods like plain rice, low fat dairy, and bananas may help symptoms. It’s also best to avoid alcohol and caffeine.

A male cooking in his kitchen.Share on Pinterest
10’000 Hours/Getty Images

Microscopic colitis refers to inflammation in the colon. It’s “microscopic” because doctors must look at the tissue under a microscope to diagnose it.

There are twoTrusted Source main types:

  • Collagenous: This means that a thick collagen layer has formed on the colon tissue.
  • Lymphocytic: This means that lymphocytes have formed on colon tissue.

Managing symptoms like watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fecal incontinence may be challenging.

Treatment usually involves taking medication to help ease your symptoms. However, a healthcare professional may also recommend natural remedies, such as dietary changes.

Keep reading to learn more about microscopic colitis and your diet.

Research on the link between microscopic colitis and diet is very limited, and mixed.

A 22-year studyTrusted Source involving 135 participants with microscopic colitis examined how different nutrients affected their condition. These nutrients included:

At the end of the study, the researchers couldn’t find any significant effects of these nutrients on microscopic colitis.

On the other hand, a 2023 studyTrusted Source found that calcium may play a role in microscopic colitis.

Researchers found that participants with microscopic colitis consumed less calcium in their diet than those without the condition. Calcium may help improve the gut microbiome and reduce symptoms of watery diarrhea.

Similarly, a 2022 research reviewTrusted Source found a significant association between microscopic colitis and celiac disease. This autoimmune disease is characterized by an adverse reaction to gluten, which is a protein found in many foods.

Despite these findings, more research is needed to determine the link between diet and microscopic colitis.

What about specific diets?

No specific diets are associated with improving or worsening symptoms of microscopic colitis.

That said, if you’re experiencing a bout of diarrhea, the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) recommends trying the BRAT diet. This consists of:

  • bananas
  • rice
  • applesauce
  • toast

The BRAT diet may help slow down digestion and reduce the frequency of bowel movements. However, this diet should only be followed temporarily during a flare-up.

Some diets are associated with improving symptoms in other gastrointestinal conditions, such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease. Diets may include:

It’s important to note that microscopic colitis isn’t related to UC and Crohn’s despite all affecting parts of the intestine.

Beyond eating, staying hydrated is a key part of your dietary needs, especially if you’re experiencing diarrhea.

Eating foods that could help relieve diarrhea may be helpful if you have microscopic colitis.

According to the IFFGD, these may include:

  • low fat dairy, such as yogurt
  • plain rice, noodles, or white bread
  • lean meats
  • cream of wheat
  • peanut butter (only smooth and a little at a time)

You should also stay hydrated by drinking water and other fluids, such as broth or sports drinks containing sodium and potassium. Avoid drinks with added sugar.

Some researchers also believe that getting probiotics from a concentrated, well-tested product like VSL#3 may help with symptoms.

However, more research is needed to fully support the role of probiotics in managing microscopic colitis.

Taking multivitamins may also be beneficial for people with nutrient malabsorption.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesTrusted Source suggests avoiding or limiting the following foods if you have microscopic colitis:

If you don’t know which foods to eat or avoid, speak with a registered dietitian or healthcare professional. They can help guide your food choices and suggest meal-planning tips.

You may also consider keeping a food diary to help you track what symptoms accompany which foods. This can help you determine which foods trigger your symptoms.

What foods are good for microscopic colitis?

Researchers haven’t determined the exact foods to eat or avoid if you have microscopic colitis. However, if you’re experiencing watery diarrhea, some foods that could help relieve symptoms include low fat dairy, plain noodles, white bread, and lean meats. You can also try the BRAT diet.

What is the root cause of microscopic colitis?

The exact cause of microscopic colitis is unknown. However, researchers suggest several factors may play a role in its development, such asTrusted Source genetics, the immune system, taking certain medications, smoking, and having certain health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

What aggravates microscopic colitis?

Some lifestyle and dietary habits may aggravate microscopic colitis, including smoking, drinking alcohol and caffeine, and taking certain medications.

Can I eat cheese with microscopic colitis?

While some people with microscopic colitis may be able to tolerate cheese, this is a dairy food that may not be suitable for anyone who is lactose intolerant.

Making dietary and lifestyle changes may help relieve symptoms of microscopic colitis.

If these don’t help ease your symptoms, speak with a healthcare professional. They could help develop a treatment plan that may include medications to:

  • stop diarrhea and block bile acids
  • fight inflammation
  • suppress the immune system

In severe cases, a doctor may suggest surgery to remove a portion of your colon. However, this is very rare.