Ulcerative colitis is a long-lasting condition that causes inflammation and ulcers in your digestive tract. It usually affects the innermost lining of your large intestine(colon) and the rectum. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis develop over time, rather than all of sudden.
The food you eat has a great impact on the severity of your Ulcerative colitis symptoms. If you have ulcerative colitis, you may already identify various foods as triggers. But figuring out what foods to eat is also equally important as the right foods will provide you key nutrients without irritating your digestive tract.
Foods to eat with colitis flare up
Since ulcerative colitis cause diarrhea, most experts recommend you to limit your fiber intake when you have colitis flare. However, it is good to replace high fiber foods such as nuts, seeds, raw fruits, and vegetables with more easily digestible diet.
Here are some foods to eat with colitis and the reasons how they can help.
1. Cooked Vegetables
For many people with ulcerative colitis, cooked veggies such as carrot and spinach can be a great source for getting important nutrients like Vitamins A and K.
During a colitis flare-up, ensure that the carrots are cooked until they are soft and tender. Cooked carrots are not just easy to digest, but also contain antioxidants that may help ease ulcerative colitis symptoms.
2. Yogurt
Live and active culture yogurt can be a good source of protein if you have colitis flare. The probiotics in this form of yogurt have good bacteria that help ease gastrointestinal problems. Also, moderate amounts of dairy products will not lead to diarrhea but if milk causes bloating or stomach discomfort, turn to lactose-free milk.
3. Salmon
Salmon is good for colon which is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, have health benefits beyond the digestive tract and reduce inflammation. By adding salmon to the foods they eat, people with ulcerative colitis get more protein to their diet and ease symptoms of colitis flare-ups.
Try baking or grilling fish, as frying fish lose a lot of its nutritional value.
4. Applesauce
Applesauce can be a good choice for ulcerative colitis diet. However, apples are rich vitamin and minerals, and their high fiber content makes them difficult to digest, especially during colitis flare-up.
Be careful about the amount you consume since it has both fiber and fructose that can aggravate symptoms during colitis flare-up.
5. Soft bland foods
If you are having colitis flare, you won’t tolerate processed or spicy foods well. This is because spicy foods can irritate already irritated colon. Experts of the gastrointestinal tract, generally recommend people to avoid raw fruits during a flare. Instead, avocados, soft bananas, potatoes, white bread, and pasta are well suggested.
Drink more fluids to stay hydrated, and choose a low-fiber diet to give your gastrointestinal tract a chance to heal says Dr. Parameshwara C M
6. Oatmeal
Instant oatmeal makes a quick source of meal or snack. This form of grains is slightly easier to digest for people with ulcerative colitis. Instant oatmeal contains less fiber than any other forms of grains and oats because it is more processed. This makes it a good choice when your ulcerative colitis is flaring up.
7. Eggs
Eggs are one of the foods to eat for people with ulcerative colitis flare because it offers good nutrition and omega 3 supplementation. Eggs are typically easy to digest which makes them a good option for ulcerative colitis diet.
Don’t neglect ulcerative colitis symptoms, try one or more of the above foods and lead a pain – free life.
If you need extra help in relation to diet with ulcerative colitis, seek medical help from our qualified doctors for ulcerative colitis.