Many with ulcerative colitis (UC) have diligently learned to cook at home with foods that don’t exacerbate symptoms or trigger flares, but dining out can diminish that sense of control.
“Whenever someone with ulcerative colitis eats at a restaurant, they may not be fully aware of all the ingredients in a dish,” says Nayana George, MD, a gastroenterologist at Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute in Florida. “Dishes that seem to be ‘safe’ might have certain seasonings or ingredients that worsen their condition.” Because of that, it’s common to feel some level of anxiety about what’s being served, she says.
Fortunately, with some planning and awareness, you don’t have to forego restaurants altogether. Here are six top tips for going out to eat when you have UC.
1. Do Your Homework and Check the Menu Beforehand
When possible, check out the menu options in advance by looking at a restaurant’s website, says Adrian Hernandez, RDN, a certified gastrointestinal dietitian nutritionist and the owner of AEH Nutrition in Washington, DC.
“If you have sensitivities like gluten and dairy, check to see if the restaurant has an allergen menu or can make accommodations to your dietary needs in advance,” he says. “Many kitchens that cook meals individually can make adjustments relatively easily. Also, consider calling to ask about ingredients in sauces, marinades, drinks, and seasonings if you have an allergy or sensitivity. Doing this type of advance work can ensure a smooth experience at the restaurant.”
2. Use the Mediterranean Diet as a Guide
“Everyone with inflammatory bowel disease such as UC should follow this type of diet because it contains mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, monounsaturated fats, fatty fish, complex carbohydrates, and lean protein,” she says. “Foods like these have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.”
The diet also involves limiting intake of dairy, red meats, sugary drinks, sweets, and butter.
3. Monitor Your Symptoms When You Eat Fiber
- Peeled potatoes
- Butternut squash
- Peeled yams or sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Baby spinach
- Asparagus tips
Vegetables like these have been shown to decrease inflammation when eaten regularly.
If you’re thinking about limiting or skipping certain foods, keep an eye on your symptoms when you eat foods with fiber. George suggests avoiding high-fiber vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and Brussels sprouts, as well as fiber-rich options like whole grains, beans, and dried fruits if you find they exacerbate your symptoms. It can also help to avoid raw veggies, which tend to cause more digestive upset than cooked ones.
4. Get Sauces on the Side
For some people, heavy seasonings and spices can be irritating or even cause a flare. If this is true for you, you can request a lower spice level, or ask for sauce to be served on the side of the meal so you can adjust it to a level that’s more tolerable, says Hernandez.
That can apply to any type of sauce that’s added after a meal is cooked, from a lemon butter drizzle over a piece of salmon to hollandaise on an eggs benedict. But it won’t apply to any sauces used as a marinade or during the cooking process, which is why it’s helpful to chat with your server about what’s used to prepare a dish.
5. Drink Wisely
“I’d recommend avoiding mixers with simple syrup, because sugar can make inflammation worse, on top of the alcohol,” he says. “You can ask for a drink to be made without that ingredient, or have a cocktail that’s not sweet. When choosing wine, opt for a dry varietal, as it will have a lower sugar content.”
6. Go for Salmon or Chicken Instead of Steak
The Takeaway
- To avoid eating foods that could aggravate your ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms, it’s helpful to review a menu in advance and talk with your server.
- The Mediterranean diet has been shown to be beneficial for those with UC, and it can serve as a helpful guide to what foods to choose at a restaurant.
- Get any sauces on the side so you can control how much is used, and opt for low-fiber vegetables and grains to avoid any gastrointestinal upset.
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