For people with ulcerative colitis (UC), starting off the morning with a nutritious breakfast may be easier said than done.
Many people with the condition experience nausea, vomiting, and an urgent need to run to the bathroom when they first wake up, says Ashwin Ananthakrishnan, MBBS, MPH, a gastroenterologist with the Massachusetts General Hospital Digestive Healthcare Center’s Crohn’s and Colitis Center in Boston. It can take some people two to three hours to finish their morning bathroom routine — and that’s before eating breakfast, which can trigger yet another trip to the toilet, he says.
If you feel nauseated in the mornings, you may be able to tolerate a protein shake and cooked, pureed, or canned fruit. Soft, fleshy fruits, such as honeydew, banana, or apples made into applesauce, are other good options, says David Gardinier, RD, a registered dietitian with the Cleveland Clinic Center for Human Nutrition in Ohio and a member of the National Scientific Advisory Committee (NSAC) of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
“I always tell patients: Something is better than nothing, even if breakfast is as simple as a Greek yogurt, a banana, or a protein shake,” says Gardinier. “I would rather them get a small amount of nutrition compared to nothing at all.” Read on for breakfast ideas for UC that are easy to put together and gentle on the gut.
1. Sourdough English Muffin With Natural Peanut Butter and Banana Slices
2. Scrambled Eggs and Applesauce
3. Oatmeal With Gut-Friendly Mix-Ins
For flavor and extra nutrition, Gardinier suggests adding gut-friendly ingredients like unsweetened cinnamon applesauce, ground flaxseed, sliced banana, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter, or canned pumpkin.
4. Greek Yogurt and Fruit Smoothie
- 1 cup of low-fat Greek yogurt (if you can tolerate dairy that contains lactose)
- 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup of frozen peaches
- Half a banana
If you’d like to vary your smoothies, try adding avocado, ground flaxseed, or nut butter for extra calories, he says.
5. Banana and Egg Pancakes
According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, you can make these simple pancakes with two ingredients: bananas and eggs. To make them, peel and mash two bananas, then mix in two eggs. Heat a griddle or skillet on medium heat and coat lightly with canola oil. Once the pan is hot, place 2 tablespoons (tbsp) of the mixture onto the pan. Once the bottom is browned and golden, flip the pancake to the other side.
Looking for extra flavor? “You can add dark chocolate chips, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, or applesauce for additional flavor and gut health benefits,” says Gardinier. You could also top pancakes with honey, pure maple syrup, canned peaches, applesauce, or nut butter, he says.
Foods to Limit or Avoid if You Have Ulcerative Colitis
When choosing a UC-friendly breakfast, limit or avoid any foods that cause symptoms for you, especially during a flare. The foods that trigger symptoms may vary from person to person, but some common offenders are:
- Apple skins
- Foods high in lactose, such as cow’s milk
- High-fat foods like butter and cheese
- Caffeine
- Artificial sweeteners
- Added sugars
- Raw kale
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Spicy foods
- Sunflower seeds
- Alcohol
The Takeaway
- People with ulcerative colitis (UC) may find eating breakfast particularly tough due to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- It’s important not to miss breakfast, though, because missing meals can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which are already common among people with UC. Even if it’s a small meal, something is better than nothing.
- To ease into the day, consider gut-friendly options such as well-cooked eggs, a sourdough English muffin, or smoothies.
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