Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the large intestine. UC results in inflammation, pain, and the formation of ulcers in the colon which can be painful. Here are some of the top eating tips for patients with ulcerative colitis that you can follow to reduce the intensity of the condition.
1. Follow a low-fiber diet
Foods high in fiber are usually difficult to digest by the body. Fiber passes through the intestine unchanged, and hence can irritate the already sensitive large intestine. One of the best eating tips for patients with ulcerative colitis is to follow a low-fiber diet. Peel vegetables and fruits and cook them before you eat. Include clear fruit juices without the pulp. Stay away from whole grains and multi-grains and opt for white bread, pasta, and white rice.
2. Eat fresher produce
When it comes to what kind of food works for you, fresher produce always is the best. Try to stay away from packaged foods, frozen produce, and restaurant takeaways. All these contain a lot of preservatives, artificial chemicals, and greasy fat. Cook fresh food at home and consume the same day. This helps treat the condition better with time.
3. Try a gluten-free diet
Some people say that excluding gluten in your diet can help people with ulcerative colitis. You can give this a try for a couple of weeks to see if this makes a difference.
4. Lactose-free diet
Lactose is a common trigger for stomach infections in people. While lactose by itself can cause stomach upsets, it is especially bad when you are going through a UC flare-up. Staying away from lactose is another of the eating tips for patients with ulcerative colitis that can help.
5. Low FODMAP diet
One of the best diets for ulcerative colitis is the low FODMAP diet. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides, and polyols. Fodmap foods usually include the following. When you stay away from all these kinds of foods, your ulcerative colitis does not flare up as often as it did before. This is one of the best eating tips for patients with ulcerative colitis that even doctors also recommend to their patients.
6. Keep a food chart
Some people react well to some kinds of food and others don’t. You need to know what food works for you and what triggers an adverse reaction. Keeping a food chart can help a lot. Write down the list of foods that triggered a reaction for you and over time, you will know which foods belong to the safe category.
All these eating tips for patients with ulcerative colitis will help manage the condition safely without constantly worrying about re-triggers. The right foods keep the risk of digestive issues at bay and can actually improve your digestive tract. Try these tips out to see if they make a difference.
