Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAims and PrincipleFoods to EatFoods to AvoidOther Tips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Aims and Principle
Foods to Eat
Foods to Avoid
Other Tips
Your diet is an important component of managingulcerative colitis (UC). On the one hand, certain foods can makeUC symptomsworse, including sugary, fried, greasy, and high-fiber foods. On the other hand, a low-residue diet comprised of lean proteins, refined grains, and starchy vegetables may help ease or alleviate UC-related abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea.
This article provides you with a general framework for managing ulcerative colitis with diet, including the list of foods you can eat and those you should avoid.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Is the Best Diet for Ulcerative Colitis?
Among the foods to avoid are those that can irritate already-inflamed tissues and ulcers, such as spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, and foods high insaturated or trans fat(both of which triggerinflammation).
Sugary foods should be avoided as they can alter the balance of harmful/helpful bacteria in the gut and make UC symptoms worse.
While dairy doesn’t usually make UC worse (and can often be helpful),many people with UC arelactose-intolerantand lack the enzymes needed to break down this form of sugar.In such cases, dairy may need to be replaced with non-dairy substitutes like almond milk or oatmeal yogurt.
By adhering to these general principles, you may be better able to manageUC flare-upsand possibly reduce the frequency of flare-ups when combined with the appropriateUC medications.
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Foods to Eat If You Have Ulcerative Colitis
When experiencing a UC flare-up, the best foods to eat are those that provide sufficient nutrients without worsening your symptoms. Speak with your healthcare provider or anutritionistto help you find the foods that best meet these needs.
Low-fiber fruits are an ideal part of a UC diet and include:
Vegetables that are low in fiber and residue include:
Lean protein is also ideal whether you have active UC symptoms or not. These include plant- and meat-based proteins like:
Refined grains that are suitable for UC flare-ups include:
How to Eat During an IBD Flare-Up
Foods to Avoid If You Have Ulcerative Colitis
During a flare-up, it’s best to avoid foods that either create residue, are gassy, or can irritate the bowel. These include sugary, fatty, or processed foods, all of which are inflammatory and affect normal bowel function.
The list is extensive and includes:
What Inflammatory Bowel Disease Pain Feels Like
In addition to choosing the right foods, there are other simple tips that can help guide your eating habits if you have UC:
Diet and UC RemissionDuringUC remission, speak with your nutritionist about foods to reintroduce back into your diet, such as high-fiber foods that are not only heart-healthy but also help you maintain normal bowel movements.
Diet and UC Remission
DuringUC remission, speak with your nutritionist about foods to reintroduce back into your diet, such as high-fiber foods that are not only heart-healthy but also help you maintain normal bowel movements.
Risks and Complications of Untreated Ulcerative Colitis
Summary
If you have ulcerative colitis, managing your diet can go a long way in reducing symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea. While a diet full of lean protein, refined grains, and starchy vegetables can help ease symptoms, foods such as baked goods and fatty cuts of meat can make them worse. It’s also a good idea to follow certain general eating habits, such as eating smaller meals throughout the day and fully chewing your food.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Keshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA.Diet in the pathogenesis and management of ulcerative colitis; a review of randomized controlled dietary interventions.Nutrients.2019 Jul;11(7):1498. doi:10.3390/nu11071498Rosa R, Ornelia R, Caruso Maria G, et al.The role of diet in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.Acta Biomed.2018;89(Suppl 9):60–75. doi:10.23750/abm.v89i9-S.7952Asfari MM, Sarmini MT, Kendrick K, et al.Association between inflammatory bowel disease and lactose intolerance: fact or fiction.Korean J Gastroenterol.2020 Oct 25;76(4):185-90. doi:10.4166/kjg.2020.76.4.185Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.What should I eat?Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Managing ulcerative colitis flare-ups.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Keshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA.Diet in the pathogenesis and management of ulcerative colitis; a review of randomized controlled dietary interventions.Nutrients.2019 Jul;11(7):1498. doi:10.3390/nu11071498Rosa R, Ornelia R, Caruso Maria G, et al.The role of diet in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.Acta Biomed.2018;89(Suppl 9):60–75. doi:10.23750/abm.v89i9-S.7952Asfari MM, Sarmini MT, Kendrick K, et al.Association between inflammatory bowel disease and lactose intolerance: fact or fiction.Korean J Gastroenterol.2020 Oct 25;76(4):185-90. doi:10.4166/kjg.2020.76.4.185Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.What should I eat?Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Managing ulcerative colitis flare-ups.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Keshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA.Diet in the pathogenesis and management of ulcerative colitis; a review of randomized controlled dietary interventions.Nutrients.2019 Jul;11(7):1498. doi:10.3390/nu11071498Rosa R, Ornelia R, Caruso Maria G, et al.The role of diet in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.Acta Biomed.2018;89(Suppl 9):60–75. doi:10.23750/abm.v89i9-S.7952Asfari MM, Sarmini MT, Kendrick K, et al.Association between inflammatory bowel disease and lactose intolerance: fact or fiction.Korean J Gastroenterol.2020 Oct 25;76(4):185-90. doi:10.4166/kjg.2020.76.4.185Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.What should I eat?Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Managing ulcerative colitis flare-ups.
Keshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA.Diet in the pathogenesis and management of ulcerative colitis; a review of randomized controlled dietary interventions.Nutrients.2019 Jul;11(7):1498. doi:10.3390/nu11071498
Rosa R, Ornelia R, Caruso Maria G, et al.The role of diet in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.Acta Biomed.2018;89(Suppl 9):60–75. doi:10.23750/abm.v89i9-S.7952
Asfari MM, Sarmini MT, Kendrick K, et al.Association between inflammatory bowel disease and lactose intolerance: fact or fiction.Korean J Gastroenterol.2020 Oct 25;76(4):185-90. doi:10.4166/kjg.2020.76.4.185
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.What should I eat?
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Managing ulcerative colitis flare-ups.
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