What Foods Should I Eat With Ulcerative Colitis

More Information About Ulcerative Colitis

According to George Washington University, colitis is a chronic digestive disease characterized by inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. Infection, loss of blood supply in the colon, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and invasion of the colon wall with collagen or lymphocytic white blood cells are all possible causes of an inflamed colon.

The following diseases fall into the colitis/IBD category they all can be treated with a combination of medication and improvements to your eating habits:

Common Supplements Recommended For Ibd Patients

Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take vitamin or mineral supplements, especially if you are experiencing nutritional deficiencies. We can help you learn about supplements that are commonly recommended for IBD patients.

This information can help you learn which vitamins and minerals are important to maintain your nutrition, along with the various foods you may want to try as part of your IBD-friendly diet.

Your body is unique. What works for one patient, will not work for everyone. Check with your healthcare providers before starting any supplements, as you will need proper dosing.

Eating When You Are In A Flare

There are certain foods you may want to avoid when you are in an IBD flare, and others that may help you get the right amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals without making your symptoms worse.

Your healthcare team may put you on an elimination diet, in which you avoid certain foods in order to identify which trigger symptoms. This process will help you identify common foods to avoid during a flare. Elimination diets should only be done under the supervision of your healthcare team and a dietitian so they can make sure you are still receiving the necessary nutrients.

Some foods may trigger cramping, bloating, and/or diarrhea. Many trigger foods should also be avoided if you have been diagnosed with a stricture, a narrowing of the intestine caused by inflammation or scar tissue, or have had a recent surgery. Certain foods can be easier to digest and can provide you with the necessary nutrients your body needs.

Also Check: Removing Colon Due To Ulcerative Colitis

Foods To Eat During An Ulcerative Colitis Flare

Avoiding certain foods is only half the battle. Heres how to get the nutrients you need during an ulcerative colitis flare.

Jeff Wasserman/Stocksy

If you have ulcerative colitis, you may already know which foods worsen your flares. But figuring out what to include in your diet is equally important, because the right foods will provide you with key nutrients without aggravating your symptoms.

Most experts recommend that you limit your fiber intake when youre having an ulcerative colitis flare. A general rule is to replace high-fiber foods, such as nuts, seeds, and raw fruits and vegetables, with more easily digestible fare. Here are eight foods to eat during an ulcerative colitis flare and the reasons they can help.

1. Applesauce: Since your gastrointestinalsystem is experiencing a lot of irritation during a flare, you may want to stick to soft, easily digestible foods like applesauce. Be sure to choose an unsweetened variety though, because added sugar can cause more inflammation. You can also make your own sugar-free applesauce by cooking peeled, sliced apples with some water and then pureeing the mixture.

3. Cooked vegetables: Soft, cooked veggies like carrots and spinach can provide important nutrients, such as vitamins A and K. Just make sure the vegetablesare thoroughly cooked until they can be mashed with a fork, Szeles says so that any potentially irritating fiber is broken down.

Additional reporting by Nina Wasserman

What To Eat During A Flare

All of the diets above are intended to be temporary and followed during a flare-up. Working with a dietitian can help prevent deficiencies in certain micronutrients, which is common with IBD.

During a flare its helpful to eat four to six small meals per day rather than fewer larger meals. Its also very important to drink fluids because diarrhea can occur with a flare and cause dehydration.

Read Also: How Effective Is Humira For Ulcerative Colitis

What Foods Should I Eat During An Ulcerative Colitis Flare

When you are experiencing an ulcerative colitis flare-up, experts suggest you stick to foods that are less likely to aggravate your gut. Some of these include:

• White rice, bread, and pasta
• Crackers and cereals made with refined white flour
• Cooked veggies without the skin
• Tender, soft meats and fish
• Olive and coconut oil
• Eggs
• Lots and lots of fluids, since an ulcerative colitis flare-up can lead to diarrhea and thus dehydration

These foods have been found to be easily digestible in some ulcerative colitis patients, but be cautious when adding them to your diet since they can be triggers in other patients:

• Squash
• Probiotics
• Plain instant oatmeal

When you are experiencing an ulcerative colitis flare-up, experts suggest you stick to foods that are less likely to aggravate your gut.

Foods To Eat During Ulcerative Colitis Flares

A bland diet is best during periods of active ulcerative colitis, when you may experience abdominal discomfort, blood in your stool, loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. A safer diet during flares might include dry toast, applesauce, and white rice. Although some foods are more likely to be safe for those with UC, individual experiences can vary, especially during flares.

Here are some safer foods to try during ulcerative colitis flares:

• Low-fiber refined grains, such as oatmeal, potatoes, and sourdough bread
• Well-cooked vegetables that are easier to digest
• Vegetable broth, which can be added to grains like rice for additional nutrients
• Fruits or vegetables that contain more soluble fiber than insoluble fiber, such as bananas, carrots, and apples
• Bland protein, such as nut butters, eggs, tofu, and chicken

Diarrhea specifically raises concerns for loss of nutrients, such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus, through bodily fluids. If you choose to drink an electrolyte beverage, choose low sugar versions such as G2, Propel, or BodyArmor Lyte. You can also cut regular Gatorade or BodyArmor with water, diluting it by half.

Recommended Reading: How Do You Heal An Ulcer

Best And Worst Foods For Ulcerative Colitis

• Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect your appetite and the way your body absorbs nutrients. Certain foods seem to trigger uncomfortable symptoms, at least in some individuals. Diet is an important factor in the management of this chronic disease, but theres no one-size-fits-all ulcerative colitis diet. The best and worst foods for ulcerative colitis may depend on whether or not youre experiencing an ulcerative colitis flare. It will take time and experimentation to figure out which foods you can tolerate and which you should avoid.

Do Any Medications Have Nutritional Side Effects

Moderate to severe flares of IBD are often treated with corticosteroids , cholestyramine and 5-ASA compounds . These medications have nutritional side effects that should be addressed. If you use any of these medications, talk to your doctor or registered dietitian for treatment advice.

• Prednisone causes decreased absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the small intestine. It also causes increased losses of calcium, zinc, potassium and vitamin C. With continual use of high doses of prednisone, the result may be bone loss and development of bone disease. People on prednisone may need up to 1200 milligrams a day. Protein needs also are increased for people taking prednisone because it increases protein breakdown in the body.
• Cholestyramine decreases absorption of fat-soluble vitamins , as well as folate, vitamin B-12, calcium and iron.
• Sulfasalazine interferes with folate absorption. People taking this drug also should take a 1 milligram folate supplement each day.

Read Also: How To Use Aloe Vera Gel For Ulcerative Colitis

What Foods Should I Avoid

Certain foods can exacerbate UC flares, but everyone has different trigger foods. For some, it might be a juicy burger and for others, it could be their morning latte.

In general, inflammatory foods, like fast food, processed food, alcohol, and sugary drinks contribute to the development of flares, says Dr. Singh. Freuman adds that saturated fat, specifically, can be an issue for certain people. Foods that contain significant amounts of saturated fat include:

• Coconut oil
• Whole-milk dairy, such as cheese, cream, butter, and full-fat yogurt
• Fried foods
• Red meat

Lactose is the sugar present in milk and dairy products, and lactase is the enzyme people need to break down those sugars during digestion. If someone is lactose-intolerant, it means they dont produce enough lactase to break down the sugars, which can cause cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and gas.

To complicate matters, UC is sometimes coupled with lactose intolerance. But lactose intolerant dairy lovers, take heart: Its often possible to still consume dairy with lower lactose content, like cottage cheese and yogurt. Because these products contain live cultures that produce their own lactase, your body doesnt have to do all the work to break down lactose5.

Thats a win-win, since dairy foods provide important nutrients, like calcium and vitamin D, to your diet. In fact, avoiding them completely is not recommended unless 100% necessary.

The Worst Foods For Those With Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory chronic disease of the colon and rectum where ulcers develop inside the lining of the large intestine. It is an inflammatory bowel disease along with Crohns Disease which causes a multitude of painful and unpleasant symptoms. Since dietary habits can contribute to ulcerative colitis symptoms, lets look at the worst foods for those with ulcerative colitis.

Also Check: How To Heal Leg Ulcers Quickly

How Is Colitis Treated

Medications and surgeries have both helped colitis patients. However, no medication can cure the disease. Colitis typically undergoes several changes during the illness where the patient may experience remission of symptoms where they feel better or flare-ups that cause them to relapse. One of the best ways to manage these ups and downs is to closely monitor the diet to control disease symptoms.

How Can I Live With Chronic Ulcerative Colitis

If you are struggling with colitis or another type of irritable bowel disease, help is available at Gastroenterology Associates of Southwest Florida, PA. Our team provides compassionate, expert care to help patients suffering from these types of chronic conditions. Find out how we can help you live with chronic ulcerative colitis

Also Check: How To Cure Gastritis And Ulcers Naturally

Ulcerative Colitis: Let’s Talk

Colitis, Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn’s are often used interchangeably – but in reality, they explain three different conditions. Colitis is the general inflammation of large intestine lining . It is synonymous with Irritable Bowel Disease and encompasses multiple conditions. Ulcerative Colitis: is a specific digestive issue, identified by ulcers on your large intestine.

Finding The Right Uc Diet For You

For those living with ulcerative colitis, choosing the right foods to eat may feel overwhelming. If you are worried you may not be getting enough of one or more nutrients, speak with your gastroenterologist. They may test your blood for nutrient levels to find out whether you are deficient. If you are deficient in any nutrient, your doctor may recommend a safe and effective dietary supplement.

You can also request a referral to a registered dietitian who can work with you to get the most out of the nutrients in the foods youre able to eat. Working with a registered dietitian or nutritionist can also help you navigate life events, such as parties, dining out, vacations, and more. Understanding what triggers your flare-ups life stress or specific foods is important information that a food journal can help you decipher.

The good news is that for people with UC who establish a healthy and safe diet plan, sticking to it often helps them feel better and manage symptoms. Feeling pretty good today, wrote one MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam member. Ive gone lactose- and gluten-free, and symptoms have reduced a lot. Also gave up caffeine. Living on avocado!

You are not alone in your path to finding a safe and healthy diet with ulcerative colitis. When you join MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam, you gain a supportive community of more than 138,000 people living with IBD.

Recommended Reading: Compression Therapy For Venous Leg Ulcers

Ulcerative Colitis Foods To Avoid

Now that we have looked at foods good for ulcerative colitis, well outline foods to avoid with ulcerative colitis. If you have received a diagnosis recently, you will likely find the list below helpful:

When you suffer from ulcerative colitis, you can feel desperate for relief, and it can be easy to get caught up in fad diets that claim to cure ulcerative colitis. Diet does not cure this inflammatory bowel condition but dietary changes can reduce symptoms. To find the best diet for your individual situation, it is best to talk to your gastroenterologist and a nutritionist who is familiar with UC. Again, there may not be a diet cure, but what you eat can make a big difference in your comfort level as you live with this chronic disease.

Also read:

• Natural Laxatives to Relieve Constipation

Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University . He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine , and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.

Vitamin And Mineral Supplementation

Nutritional supplements are great for patients with inflammatory bowel disease who may need a bit of extra help preventing a nutritional deficiency.

Your healthcare providers may also recommend a vitamin and/or mineral supplementation plan if your tests show you already have a nutritional deficiency.

You may be able to get all your necessary vitamins and minerals from eating a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet. But flares, severe symptoms, surgeries, and other complications may make it difficult for some patients with Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis to get enough nutrients from food alone.

Check with your doctor or other healthcare providers before taking any supplements, including over-the-counter medications, herbs, and other complementary therapies.

• Some supplements can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea and diarrhea.

• Check the labels on your supplements for lactose, artificial colors, sugar alcohols, or preservatives, all which can aggravate your IBD, especially when you are in a flare.

• Most supplements should not be taken on an empty stomach.

Video Length00:02:00

Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation in IBD Often times, when you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, you may need to take vitamins or minerals to prevent or make up for a nutritional deficiency. Watch and listen this video to learn more about common vitamin and mineral supplements for IBD patients.

Also Check: Ulcerative Colitis Rectal Pain Relief

Track The Good And The Bad

There’s no single diet that will help everyone with UC. The condition can also change over time, so your plan will need to be flexible, too. The key is to find what works for you.

To stay organized, keep a food diary. Use your smartphone or a small notebook to record what you eat and drink and how they make you feel, both good and bad. It takes a bit of time and patience, but it will help you track your condition and fine-tune your diet plan.

When you prepare your meals, don’t forget that a well-balanced diet gives you enough protein, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

You might not be able to eat everything in the grocery store or on the menus at the restaurants you like. But try to focus on the ones that you can enjoy without triggering your symptoms. Some simple tweaks in your meal prep can make it easier to eat some foods, like steaming veggies or switching to low-fat dairy.

Some people follow a low-residue diet or low-fiber diet every so often, getting about 10-15 grams of fiber a day. That can help you go to the bathroom less often.

Watch out for items that can be troublemakers if you have UC, including:

• Alcohol

The Best Foods To Eat And Avoid For Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is a treatable, yet chronic and lifelong condition. IBD is a broad term that refers to the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and includes specific conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease.

No plan has been proven to prevent or control IBD. But managing your diet can help manage your disease during flares and periods of remission. Be sure to talk to your physician or a registered dietitian about your nutrition needs and managing IBD.

Here are diet recommendations for managing IBD flares and remissions from UH Outpatient Nutrition Services.

Also Check: What Is Good For Mouth Ulcers

What Should I Eat During A Flare

Youre feeling good, taking your medication, eating generally anti-inflammatory foods, and all of suddenbamyou start to feel those telltale flare symptoms. What should you do now? Adjusting your diet may help you over the hump.

If you are in a flare, you may want to eat foods that are gentle on your digestive tract, while the inflammation calms down, says Dr. Singh.

Practically speaking, you can do this in a few ways. For instance, Freuman works with her clients to tailor a well-rounded diet to avoid their specific triggers and address their needs. This may include:

Its best to work with a professional when making changes to your diet, as they can ensure that you are getting the nutrients that you need, help you assess your trigger foods, and address any underlying history of disordered eating or dietary changes that could trigger those behaviors.