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Ulcerative Colitis Diet Plan

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation of the intestines that leads to ulcers that scar and then bleed. The symptoms of this type of irritable bowel disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain and fatigue. A proper diet is a key tool to mange ulcerative colitis and prevent side effects like malnutrition and extreme weight loss. (reference 1 for all info above)

  1. Food Diary

    • Keep a daily food diary to pinpoint foods that cause your ulcerative colitis to flare up. By recording what you eat and any symptoms, you should begin to see a pattern. Use this information to create your personal ulcerative colitis diet plan. Because there is no standard diet for people with this illness, you need to create a personal plan, and a food diary is the most effective way to do this. If you need additional assistance, a registered dietician can help. (reference 2)

    Dairy

    • Many who have ulcerative colitis find it helpful to limit or stop consuming dairy products. If this helps, you may also be lactose intolerant. Try eating things like yogurt and low lactose Swiss or cheddar cheeses. Consider taking a dairy enzyme to help you digest dairy if you choose to continue eating this type of food. If you do limit your consumption of dairy products, take a calcium supplement to make sure you get enough of this important mineral. (reference 3 for all info above)

    Fiber

    • Some people with ulcerative colitis are bothered by fiber because it causes diarrhea, cramps and gas. Experiment with different fruits and vegetables to see which ones agree with you. Sometimes cooking them rather than eating them raw reduces symptoms. Because fiber is the basis of a healthy diet, see what type of fiber you can tolerate. Your food diary can help you figure this out. Some can tolerate fiber until they have a flare-up, so it's good to become an expert on foods that make your symptoms better as well as those that worsen them. (reference 3 for above)

    General Nutrition

    • Rather than eating only a couple large meals, eat five or six smaller meals throughout the day. This may make food easier to digest. Drink lots of water and avoid caffeine, which stimulates the intestines and can cause diarrhea. Also avoid carbonated beverages since they can cause gas. Consider taking a multivitamin to provide the nutrients you can't eat. Fish oil and flax seed sometimes help to manage the bowels. Prebiotic and probiotic supplements may also help your intestines to recover from the stress of ulcerative colitis (reference 1 for all above).

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