The Role of Diet in Ulcerative Colitis Management

Ulcerative colitis or intestinal inflammation is a disease associated with long-term inflammation (internal swelling and irritation) in the large intestine and rectum. This is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which inflammation of the large intestine (colon) causes sores or ulcers in the inner lining of the large intestine and rectum. Ulcerative colitis is considered an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the body itself. Stomach pain, blood in stool, diarrhea, nausea, rectal bleeding, fatigue and weight loss are common symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Researchers don't yet know exactly what causes ulcerative colitis, but they think it may be due to a misguided immune response. There are also some foods that can make this condition worse. This is why a person with ulcerative colitis may need to modify their diet to help manage their symptoms. However, there is no single diet or diet plan that fits all patients with ulcerative colitis. Different types of diets are recommended depending on the patient's symptoms.

(Read more - Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

In such a situation, we are telling you in this article what a person suffering from ulcerative colitis should eat and what not.

Various Diets For Ulcerative Colitis
What To Eat In Ulcerative Colitis
What Not To Eat And Avoidance In Ulcerative Colitis
Summary

Doctors for The Role of Diet in Ulcerative Colitis Management

Various Diets For Ulcerative Colitis

It is true that the same type of diet may not be suitable for everyone with ulcerative colitis, but there are some diet plans that can help some people suffering from the disease and bring their symptoms under control.

High-calorie diet - A person suffering from ulcerative colitis or intestinal inflammation suddenly starts losing a lot of weight and due to this the person may have a malnutrition problem. In such a situation, a high-calorie diet can help in eliminating these problems.

Lactose free diet - Many patients of ulcerative colitis also have the problem of lactose intolerance, hence they should not consume such things which contain lactose. Such people can consume products made from peanut butter, soya cheese, soybean and tofu.

Low-Fat Diet – When you have ulcerative colitis, it becomes difficult for the body to absorb fat and hence eating foods high in fat can worsen the symptoms of the disease. Therefore, consume such things which have low fat content like fat free cheese, low fat paneer, milk and curd, pulses, tofu, egg white, lean meat etc.

Low fiber diet – Foods with less fiber are easier for your body to digest. They reduce your urge to have frequent bowel movements and can also help limit diarrhea and stomach cramps. In a low fiber diet, you can consume milk, curd, cheese, white bread or white pasta, peanut butter, fruit juice without pulp, ripe banana, watermelon, cucumber etc.

Low-salt diet – This diet is used when a patient is receiving corticosteroid therapy to help reduce water retention in the body.

Gluten Free Diet - Patients suffering from ulcerative colitis often become sensitive to gluten, so if you have this problem then consume a gluten free diet. For this, do not consume wheat and all wheat products and instead you can consume quinoa, brown rice, wild rice, buckwheat flour, amaranth etc.

(Read more - Decoding Digestive Disorders: IBS vs IBD)

Patients with ulcerative colitis need to pay more attention to nutrition than quantity of food because symptoms of diarrhea and bleeding can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and loss of nutrients in the body. Many patients suffering from ulcerative colitis find it easier to eat small meals several times a day instead of eating 2-3 big meals. Doing this can also help increase the nutrition absorbed from foods.

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What To Eat In Ulcerative Colitis

In case of inflammation in the intestines, special attention needs to be paid to nutrients. This is because diarrhea and bleeding lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and nutrient deficiency. In case of pain due to intestinal inflammation, you can reduce its effects with the help of diet. However, every person's diet is different. But consumption of some things like eggs, soya beans, carrot juice, whole grains, and probiotics is good for almost everyone. Let us know in detail what to eat when there is swelling in the intestines.

Salmon and Tuna

Salmon and tuna contain omega 3 fatty acids, which are helpful in reducing inflammation. This will also give you relief. Mackerel, herring, sardines, flaxseed oil, whole flaxseed and walnuts are also good sources of omega 3 acids.

Eggs, Chicken and Meat

When the pain of swelling in the intestines increases, at that time the protein gets depleted, in such a situation if protein is consumed then the lost nutrients get back. Let us tell you that meat and chicken have a very high amount of protein.

Eggs are also an excellent source of protein. When pain increases due to inflammation in the intestines, its consumption provides relief. Some eggs also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can prove helpful in reducing inflammation.

Soy Protein

If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you can consume soya protein instead of animal protein. Vegetarian and vegan proteins also include legumes and whole grains.

Probiotics

There is nothing better than curd for probiotics. This helps in digestion. You should choose such curd for yourself, which does not contain any amount of sugar. This is because consumption of sugar can increase the symptoms of inflammation in the intestines.

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Avocado

Avocados also contain a lot of protein and healthy fats. These also contain a lot of calories but since they contain 70% water, they are easy to digest. Some people may get relief from juices and smoothies when the pain of intestinal inflammation increases. It also provides nutrients. Carrot juice contains vitamin A and antioxidants, which can help some people with pain caused by intestinal inflammation.

(Read more - Stomach Infection)

Juices And Smoothies

Juices and smoothies can be valuable additions to the diet of individuals with Ulcerative Colitis, providing essential nutrients while being gentle on the digestive system. Incorporating nutrient-packed juices and soothing smoothies can help manage symptoms, promote healing, and support overall gut health. Blending fruits, vegetables, and other gut-friendly ingredients into delicious concoctions offers a convenient and enjoyable way to increase nutrient intake, maintain hydration, and ease digestive discomfort. However, it's essential to choose ingredients carefully.

What Not To Eat And Avoidance In Ulcerative Colitis

Your diet does not cause ulcerative colitis, but there are some foods that can make the condition worse by triggering symptoms once the disease occurs.

Identifying and avoiding foods that trigger the disease can help reduce the frequency and severity of ulcerative colitis symptoms. However, the same type of food does not trigger the disease in all patients of ulcerative colitis, but there are some food items that can aggravate the problem. Let us know about them.

Alcohol, Caffeine And Carbonated Beverages

Alcohol, caffeine and carbonated beverages Alcohol can irritate the intestines, triggering diarrhea. Additionally, the caffeine present in coffee, tea and energy drinks is also a stimulant and can speed up transit time in the large intestine (colon), causing frequent bowel movements. Many carbonated beverages, including soda and beer, contain carbonation that can irritate the digestive system, and cause gas. Apart from this, there are many beverages which contain sugar, caffeine or artificial sweetener and all these things can cause ulcerative colitis and trigger the disease.

Whole Grain Breads, Pasta, Cereals

Foods that contain a lot of fiber are difficult for people with ulcerative colitis to digest. Flour made from whole grains has higher fiber content because the seeds or bran have not been removed. You should avoid eating any food made from whole grain flour, such as: bread, cereals, pasta, noodles, macaroni, etc.

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Dried Fruits And Seeds

Dry fruits, nuts in food items or their flour, none of these things should be in your diet list. The fiber present in nuts can be difficult to digest. Therefore, you should not consume nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, peanuts, pine nuts, pistachios etc. at all. Like dried fruits, there are some seeds that can worsen the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. The seeds contain insoluble fiber which can cause side effects like flatulence, diarrhea, gas in the stomach etc. Therefore, you should not consume sesame seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds etc.

Fiber Rich Fruits And Vegetables

Although fruits and vegetables are very beneficial for our health, most fruits and vegetables have high fiber content. Therefore, you should not consume raw fruits and vegetables. Apart from this, you should also not eat fruits whose seeds cannot be removed such as berries. You can also consume fruit juice without pulp. Eat vegetables only after removing their peel and seeds and cooking them thoroughly. If you want, you can consume vegetables by making puree or soup because by doing so it becomes easier to digest them.

Popcorn And Chocolate

Popcorn is another high-fiber heavy food that is not completely digested in the small intestine and can trigger diarrhea and urgency to defecate. Chocolate contains caffeine and sugar, both of which can irritate the digestive system and cause cramping and frequent bowel movements.

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Summary

Ulcerative colitis is a highly contagious disease caused by hormonal changes and psychological stress. Selection of food items as well as their right type of preparation also plays an important role in the management of this disease. Choosing the right foods for ulcerative colitis patients is important to ensure quality of lifestyle, such as meeting their nutritional requirements, maintaining the well-being of their skin, and addressing their psychological well-being.