Ulcerative colitis causes chronic inflammation of the digestive system, with symptoms including abdominal pain and diarrhea. Dairy, high-fiber, and fatty foods can trigger symptoms, while calcium-rich fish and cereals may be alternatives. Greasy, fried foods exacerbate symptoms, but easily absorbed fats may help. Caffeine, alcohol, and some beverages should be reduced or eliminated. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and keeping a food diary may also help manage symptoms.
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive system. Symptoms of this disorder can include moderate to severe abdominal pain and diarrhea in many patients. Because there is no cure, ulcerative colitis can be a very disabling and potentially life-threatening disease. Along with medications and vitamins, however, many symptoms can be controlled by knowing the best and worst foods for ulcerative colitis. Certain foods, such as dairy products, high-fiber foods, and fatty foods, can trigger ulcerative colitis in some patients, and special precautions should be taken to avoid them.
Some of the worst foods for ulcerative colitis can be dairy products, especially if the patient is lactose intolerant. Limiting or eliminating dairy products, such as milk and cheese, can help reduce abdominal pain, gas and diarrhea. However, dairy products are one of the main sources of calcium. Other calcium-rich foods are some types of fish and some ready-to-eat cereals. If these foods also make your symptoms worse, you may need to take a calcium supplement to get the right amount of calcium needed for strong bones and teeth.
Foods high in fiber, such as raw vegetables and whole grains, can also be a trigger food for patients with ulcerative colitis. These foods can make symptoms worse because they are harder to digest. Some experts recommend eating a high-fiber diet when ulcerative colitis is under control and limiting fiber intake during flare-ups. Some patients find that cooking vegetables before eating them reduces symptoms associated with fiber.
Individuals dealing with ulcerative colitis may find that greasy, greasy, or fried items may not be the best food for ulcerative colitis. These can exacerbate the symptoms of this disease. Not being able to eat fatty foods, however, can lead to malabsorption. To avoid this, cutting out high-fat foods and instead eating easily absorbed fats may reduce symptoms. Some types of fish are high in omega-3 fats, which are more easily absorbed by the body than other types of fat.
In addition to paying attention to what they eat, ulcerative colitis patients should also pay attention to what they drink. Caffeine and alcohol can stimulate the digestive tract and, in turn, make diarrhea worse. Other beverages, such as fruit juices and sodas, can also make some symptoms worse. Consumption of these drinks should be reduced or even eliminated altogether. However, keeping hydrated is important, so drinking plenty of water is recommended.
Instead of eating three large meals a day, many patients find that it is better to eat five or six smaller meals throughout the day. In addition, many patients may benefit from maintaining a symptomatic and nutritional diet. Everything eaten and drunk during the day can be noted, along with any symptoms that follow. This way, patients can see, on paper, the best and worst foods for ulcerative colitis and how they affect them.
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