A Healthy Diet for Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a part of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease family of illnesses. While it is similar to Crohn's Disease, it is classified as a separate condition. Ulcerative colitis can be helped by following a healthier lifestyle, including a more nutritional diet. A special diet, called the specific carbohydrate diet, can work wonders in those with UC. However, there are other methods that can help your symptoms through diet and nutrition as well. Eating healthy and removing junk food, processed foods and bowel irritants can lead to fewer symptoms and a reduction in the length of symptoms.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet

• This diet for UC patients specializes on keeping sucrose, lactose and grains out of the diet. By removing things that can grow yeast and bacteria, it can help the bowel and the patient have less irritation. Many things are not allowed on the diet, but you're free to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh or frozen meats, fish, eggs, poultry, natural cheese, yogurts and dry curd cottage cheese. Foods that are made with processed or preserved foods are high on the list of approved items. Natural, homemade, and more "pure" foods are encouraged. Those with gardens that have ready access to fresh or frozen-fresh foods will have fewer symptomatic occurrences to deal with.

Removing Milk from the Diet

• According to "100 Q&A about Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis" by Andrew S. Warner, M.D. and Amy E. Barto M.D. lactose intolerance is a common problem in those that have UC. This can lead to many of the inflammatory bowel symptoms they experience, including diarrhea, cramping and bloating. Keeping milk and milk products out of the diet can lead to fewer symptoms. Lactose intolerance can be tested with a breath test at your doctor's office if you believe this may be the cause of some of your symptoms.

Foods that Can Cause Diarrhea

• Many UC sufferers experience chronic diarrhea. Avoid key foods that tend to cause diarrhea such as caffeine (chocolate, coffee, tea), ice cold drinks, dairy foods and uncooked vegetables. Caffeine can kick up your system to make the bowel work more. Ice cold drinks are prone to giving bowel cramps, while dairy and uncooked vegetables can make diarrhea worsen. Keeping your drinks cool but not ice cold, removing dairy and uncooked vegetables and avoiding caffeine can lead to fewer diarrhea experiences