Ulcerative Colitis Diet Plan

What Foods Are Included in an Ulcerative Colitis Diet Plan?

Eating with ulcerative colitis should be based on a well-balanced diet that’s high in protein, complex carbohydrates, whole grains, and good fats. Such a diet will provide you with energy and keep you well. Your diet may include meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products (if you don’t have lactose intolerance); breads and cereals; fruits and vegetables; and margarine and oils.

If you are a vegetarian with ulcerative colitis, dairy products and plant proteins — such as soy products — can provide the nutritional elements found in meat, fish, and poultry.

What Foods Should I Avoid in an Ulcerative Colitis Diet Plan?

According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, diet is not a major factor in the inflammatory process. Some specific foods, however, may affect symptoms of ulcerative colitis and play some role in inflammation.

If you find that certain foods trigger your bowel symptoms, then you may want to avoid these foods to reduce your symptoms and self-manage your illness. For example, some people with ulcerative colitis find that coffee or caffeine exacerbates diarrhea and cramping. Other people complain that raw vegetables or high-fiber foods cause their GI symptoms.

Some people periodically follow a low-residue diet or low-fiber diet, getting about 10-15 grams of fiber a day. That helps reduce the frequency of bowel movements and prolongs intestinal transit time.

Learning to avoid food triggers may give you better control of your disease and allow you greater freedom to enjoy an active life. Despite the fact there is no scientific proof, many people with ulcerative colitis have found that one or more of the following foods can trigger their GI symptoms: