Ulcerative colitis, also known as UC, is a chronic condition of the large intestine which occurs when the linings on one’s large intestine (colon), rectum, or both become inflamed. While the main reasons behind it are unknown, UC is known to be a form of inflammatory bowel disease or IBD, which is basically a group of diseases related to the gastrointestinal tract. An individual suffering from Ulcerative Colitis is found to undergo various symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, fever, rectal pain, increased abdominal sounds etc.
These symptoms are primarily caused by the tiny ulcers that get formed on the lining of the patient’s colon, often beginning at their rectum and spreading upward. While there isn’t any particular age group or gender that is more affected by ulcerative colitis, various proofs point to the fact that males between the age of fifteen to thirty-five and post-fifty are more prone to experience UC than their counterparts. Since UC is a chronic condition, there isn’t any cure for it as of now, but there are ways one can keep its symptoms under control and the flare ups to a minimum. The most important and practical way to do so is to take proper control of one’s dietary choices.
Ulcerative Colitis Foods to Avoid:
Raw vegetables: Ulcerative colitis disrupts the digestive system, particularly the large intestine, which makes digestion extremely difficult and complicated. The high amount of fiber present in raw vegetables makes them a poor choice of diet option for people with UC as it can trigger the symptoms and can cause a new round of flare to arise.
Dried Fruits: Dried fruits like berries, nuts, fruits with pulp and seeds etc. are too be avoided at all costs as they are rich in fiber and difficult to digest. A low-fiber diet is recommended and dried fruits do not fall in that category, consuming these food items can lead to diarrhea, stomach ache, bloody stool etc.
Food containing preservatives: Any food item containing food preservatives like sulfur or sulfide in it is not good for UC and must not be included in the patient’s diet. These preservatives present in canned and ready to eat meals especially are harmful for the gut and might worsen the person’s symptoms.
Caffeine, Cocoa and Alcohol: Ingesting any food or beverage containing caffeine, cocoa or alcohol is also to be avoided, as at times it causes gastric issues and difficulty in digestion, which isn’t good for someone dealing with ulcerative colitis.
Spicy Sauces & Pickles: Spicy food such as rich sauces and pickles are to be consumed to a minimum as they irritate the stomach and take a lot of effort to get digested. Having too much of spicy food can also cause rise in inflammation and lead to the formation of ulcers inside the stomach.
Ulcerative Colitis Foods to Eat:
Low-residue diet: Specialists suggest that individuals with UC should try to stick to a low-residue diet in order to avoid any flare ups in the symptoms and the pain that comes with it. A low-residue diet doesn’t have too many fibers and is easier to digest which makes them an ideal food choice and should be added into one’s diet.
Cooked vegetables: Unlike raw vegetables, cooked ones are good for digestion and can be included in the patient’s anti-UC diet. Cooked vegetables don’t hurt the colon and are also good for the overall growth of the body. As long as the vegetables are not too rich in fiber and have been cooked properly, they can become a regular part of one’s dietary choices.
Fish and other soft meats: Fish and other soft meats are proven to be really good for the inflammatory issues related to ulcerative colitis. The omega-3 fatty acids present in them are beneficial for the digestive system and aids in keeping the symptoms calmed down. Although, the jury is still out on consumption of red meat, fish and lean meat is experts approved.
White rice and pasta: White rice, white pasta and white bread without any seeds in it is okay to be added in an anti-UC diet, since it doesn’t hurt the stomach too much and is less likely to cause any symptom to materialize. On the other hand, the intake of brown rice, barley, millet etc. should be brought down to a minimum.
Experts highly suggest maintaining a balanced diet and sticking to a food plan that is in accordance to the needs of the patient’s body as well as their palate choice.