If you are diagnosed with the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) ulcerative colitis , doctors and nutritionists may recommend that you change your diet to ensure you are consuming much-needed nutrients without making your symptoms worse. If you know what foods make you feel worse, it can be easier to live with the disease and to avoid flare-ups. It’s also wise to know what foods can help ease ulcerative colitis symptoms. Be sure to speak with your doctor or a dietitian before you start any special diet for ulcerative colitis. If you start removing particular foods from your diet, you may develop nutritional deficiencies . Your doctor or nutritionist can test your nutrient levels, help you create a meal plan that’s right for you, and identify which of the following foods you should cut out of your diet. Certain foods can trigger UC symptoms in some people.
Nuts and Seeds When you have an ulcerative colitis flare, it’s best to eat foods that are easy to digest. This may mean temporarily avoiding high-fiber foods such as nuts, seeds, and corn, as well as raw fruits and vegetables.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629367723c9-ef47-43b4-9d30-8dc666f7608e Once your colon is healed with proper treatment, these foods are fine to eat, and high-fiber foods are beneficial when you’re not in a flare. Nuts and Seeds
Dairy The dairy sensitivity known as lactose intolerance prevents you from properly digesting lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products. This occurs because the small intestine lacks the digestive enzyme lactase.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629159699e7-2663-457c-b5d0-b67db9e15242 Lactose intolerance is common and can affect people with ulcerative colitis, says Themistocles Dassopoulos, MD , the director of the Baylor Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dallas. There is little evidence that dairy alone causes ulcerative colitis to flare up, however. In fact, research has shown that yogurt and milk may reduce your risk of ulcerative colitis.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629692a1149-6828-4929-b21a-c54876402631 That said, lactose intolerance symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea can be mistaken for ulcerative colitis or make it worse.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299cc95058-eeec-4ecd-b816-678c8e297799 It can be wise to add lactase supplements to reduce these symptoms if you have a known dairy sensitivity. Dairy
Red Meat Dr. Dassopoulos recommends limiting the saturated fats found in red meat.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c025ea42-6620-4297-a2ed-9e2ed0a52ce0 “My advice to people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease is to follow a healthy Mediterranean diet and limit red meat,” Dassopoulos says. Not all fats are bad , however. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, have been found to help with intestinal inflammation.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298f3138e2-8cb9-4ae6-9146-f883085a9e94 Red Meat
Foods That Contain Gluten People with ulcerative colitis may have a tougher time digesting bread and other foods that contain gluten , a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and some oats.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762992c8dffd-e003-4031-97d8-8980f5f618f9 This may occur in people with celiac disease , which causes an immunologic reaction to eating gluten, and in people with gluten sensitivity. Blood tests, a biopsy, and your response to a gluten-free diet can determine if celiac disease is responsible for causing abdominal symptoms like cramping, diarrhea, or pain that can be mistaken for ulcerative colitis symptoms. Although celiac disease can damage the small intestine, ulcerative colitis typically damages the large intestine.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297ea52a93-dc4f-484b-ba6d-5abadcaf8c22 Foods That Contain Gluten
Spicy Foods Research has shown that spicy foods may be the top culprit for ulcerative colitis relapses. This may be because of the chemical capsaicin, which gives chili peppers their “heat” and is known to inflame and irritate the gastrointestinal tract.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629690ac6c0-dd1e-4d45-ae2c-4516bc8b7e33 During an active flare, it may be best to avoid spicy food altogether.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292aec8d4d-63bb-4dd8-9bb5-31c94397cd49 “In general, when someone is flaring, we say to follow a bland diet ,” Dassopoulos says. “Don’t add insult to injury.” Spicy Foods
Foods and Beverages High in Sugar Too much sugar can promote inflammation and make ulcerative colitis worse, according to research.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292234da51-0519-4948-83c4-4af9e7a0e405 Look out for more than candy and soda, too. Sugar alcohols such as sorbitol and mannitol, which come from fruits and vegetables, often appear in food and drinks advertised as sugar-free but can cause bloating and diarrhea.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291cc168c0-a1d8-4bf2-b123-3bc622722185 Foods and Beverages High in Sugar
What Foods Should You Eat When You Have Ulcerative Colitis? While it’s wise to stay away from large meals and foods and drinks that can cause ulcerative colitis to return or get worse, you also must consume enough nutrients to keep your body healthy. Yogurt, olive oil, and salmon are nutritious recommended foods for people with ulcerative colitis . Diet options may include: Elimination diets, which remove certain foods from your diet to see if symptoms abate; discuss this option with a nutritionist or gastroenterologist to ensure you are getting enough nutrition. The specific carbohydrate diet (SCD), which is designed especially to control IBD symptoms; research on its effects on ulcerative colitis is limitede60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762968b2fe7e-8579-47c9-8601-7ccce6f03854 The Mediterranean diet Low-fiber diets , which restrict foods that increase bowel activity Consult your healthcare provider about which dietary changes may be right for you.
The Takeaway Ulcerative colitis symptoms may come and go, but it’s wise to avoid foods and drinks that may inflame your intestines. Foods high in sugar, gluten, and spiciness may make ulcerative colitis worse or cause a relapse. Consider avoiding fiber during an active flare. Food sensitivities vary by person, and not all diets work for all people. Talk to your doctor to ensure your diet includes enough nutrients to maintain your health while managing your symptoms.
Resources We Trust Mayo Clinic: Ulcerative Colitis Flare-Ups: 5 Tips to Manage ThemCrohn’s & Colitis Foundation: Living With Ulcerative ColitisCleveland Clinic: A Nutritional Plan for Anyone Living With Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative ColitisPractical Gastroenterology: The Specific Carbohydrate Diet in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Evidence and Execution
Additional reporting by Jordan M. Davidson and Tony Stasiek .
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