There is no single diet or eating plan for ulcerative colitis patient, and diet recommendations must be customized. Most-popular fruit recommendations for colitis patient would be banana, pomegranate, grape, tangerine and mango.
However, there are some basic principles and guidelines to help you see how to eat and what to eat which also goes a long way of learning, especially during onset symptoms. People with UC should maintain a diverse and nutrient-rich diet. When you are experiencing flares, it may help to:
- Eat smaller meals and more foods in each meal
- Have more meals a day
- Eat in a relaxed atmosphere
- Avoid trigger foods
- Limit food with insoluble fiber (i.e., seeds, nuts, beans, green leafy vegetables, fruit and wheat bran)
- Eat less greasy or fried foods
It is also important to remember that UC patients might have different food intolerance. One may be sensitive to hot spicy food while another might be sensitive to cheese.
The following food listings are aimed at reducing uncomfortable symptoms, replacing lost fluids, preventing vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and adding adequate caloric intake.
Drink Enough Fluids Beverages to try:
- Water
- Low-sugar sport drink
- Fruit juice with water Beverages to Avoid
- Icy or cold liquids (can cause cramps)
- Caffeine in coffee, tea and other beverages (caffeine can act as a stimulant to “rev” up the bowel and result in diarrhea)
Everyone should drink plenty of fluids everyday to maintain good health. Our bodies, which are about 70 percent water, need a regular intake of water to stay hydrated. Water has important functions in the body, such as keeping tissues moist, lubricating joints, protecting organs and preventing constipation. The amount of water to drink depends on different factors, such as physical activity, weather and health conditions. In general:
- Try to drink at least 60 ounces of water per day. Most fluids count toward this total, including some foods with high water content (such as watermelon).
- Drink beverages slowly rather than drinking fast,also avoid using a straw which may introduce air into the digestive system.
- Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks do not count because they dehydrate the body.
- A good way to monitor adequate fluid intake is to check the color of your urine. It should be pale to clear.
If you’re experiencing diarrhea you may be at risk for dehydration. Replacing fluids and electrolytes is necessary. Drinking more water may help.
Rehydration drinks may be helpful for replacing lost fluids and electrolytes during times when diarrhea is severe. Excess sugar can cause more diarrhea due to the pull of water into the gut. Fruit juices used for rehydration and replenishing of vitamins and electrolytes may need to be diluted.
Eat a Variety of Vegetables and Fruits
Vegetables and fruits are important sources of many nutrients and are essential to a healthy diet. Tolerance for vegetables and fruits varies among people with UC. To ease discomfort during a disease flare, select vegetables and fruits that are easier to digest, such as well-cooked asparagus and potatoes, applesauce and melons. Remove the skin (the insoluble fiber part) and avoid the seeds.
Eat cooked vegetables rather than raw vegetables during a flare. Steaming vegetables until they are very soft preserves more of the nutrients than boiling them. Avoid vegetables with a tough skin. Some vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, have a tendency to produce gas. It is best to avoid eating these if gas is a problem for you. Vegetable stock is a good source of nutrients that can be used for making soup, or added to rice or pasta. It is also a good liquid to use when cooking vegetables.
Posted on May 18, 2023