I have had two bouts of pouchitis in the last 6 months. Any association with diet? I have seen 
the advice on carbs, but any on 
avoiding caffeine or alcohol?  Should I avoid 
these?  Also, does anyone notice an increase in incidence of pouchitis with foreign travel? I 
just got back from St. Lucia two weeks ago. 

I have been a regular coffee drinker for the past 3 years and have had no pouchitis due to caffeine. As you probably know, caffeine will probably cause you to go to the bathroom more often. Same with alcohol.

Some people think a high sugar and fatty food diet can cause pouchitis, but I don't think there is conlusive evidence. What's conclusive is they don't know what causes but it could have something to do with bacteria since antibiotics help it.

I traveled to Cambodia for 3 weeks and had no issues with my pouch. I do not think travel effects pouchitis, although it may cause IBS.

My takedown was Nov 07. I spent a month (March) in South Africa and recently returned from a month road trip in the northwest. I was on antibiotics the month I was in South Africa. I did drink bottled water while I was there. Am now off antibiotics and using VSL#3 DS which I think has finally stopped the recurrence of pouchitis, gas problems are less also. I avoid sweets and alcohol and do drink decaf stuff, no carbonated drinks. I would think anything high sugar could contribute to pouchitis but that is just a guess on my part. I didn't do these before when I had pouchitis either. My big problem is butt burn, am pleased to be off antibiotics. If you can get the VSL#3 DS I recommend that. My insurance company pays for that because it requires a prescription.

I don't think anyone has found any proven link between diet and pouchitis (and personally, I doubt there is one). Certain foods though can affect your pouch function so people may mistake that as making their pouchitis worse. Coffee, for instance, seems to have a purgative effect but unless this is a big problem for you I don't see it as a reason to avoid caffeine - in fact, I find it quite useful as it helps me to empty out in the mornings. Similarly, alcohol can affect bowel function in anyone - beer, in particular, can increase gas and I've noticed that red wine (particularly in large amounts) can loosen things a bit.