Ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease, primarily affects the colon and rectum. It can cause a variety of symptoms that range in severity including diarrhea, cramping and abdominal pain. This disease typically follows a pattern of flare-ups followed by remissions, some of which can last significant periods of time. There is no known cure, but following a certain type of diet can promote long-term remissions. Discuss diet with your doctor before making any drastic changes to your eating habits.
Role of Diet
Ulcerative colitis, like any disease that affects the digestive system, can especially benefit from a diet that limits foods that cause the hallmark symptoms of the condition. The Mayo Clinic notes that following a certain diet can ease symptoms that occur during a flare-up, and help prevent them in the first place. Since inflammation triggers this condition, eating a diet low in foods that trigger it and high in foods that fight it might benefit as well, physician, author and alternative-medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil adds.
Complementing Diet
While what you eat can help with ulcerative colitis significantly, other measures can ensure optimal digestive health. Stress can directly affect your digestive processes in several ways, including secreting more stomach acids, affecting the movement of contents through the bowel and actually changing the composition of your intestinal tissue. Ways to manage stress include regular exercise, mind-body techniques such as deep breathing or meditation and even hypnosis, which the Mayo Clinic indicates might reduce abdominal discomfort.
Easing Inflammation
Eating an anti-inflammatory diet might benefit ulcerative colitis, Weil reports. Avoid inflammatory foods such as refined sugars found in cookies, candies and other sugary foods, white flour products and animal proteins, especially high-fat ones. Dairy in particular might worsen symptoms, not only because of its inflammatory properties, but also because the lactose (milk sugar) it contains can trigger diarrhea, bloating, gas and cramping. You might find you cannot consume any dairy at all. Weil also recommends cutting back on cooking with and consuming foods with certain types of oils such as soybean, corn, safflower, sunflower and mixed vegetable oils.
Anti-inflammatory foods include fruits, vegetables and healthy fats found in nuts, seeds and fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring.
Considerations for Fiber
While the medical community typically encourages a high-fiber diet for its numerous health benefits, large amounts of fiber can worsen ulcerative colitis and other bowel conditions by increasing incidences of gas, stomach pain and diarrhea. Experiment with the amount of fiber in your diet to assess your personal tolerance level. You can counteract some of the negative effects of fiber in many ways, such as limiting your amount of raw fruits and vegetables and opting to bake or steam them. Staying away from foods with a high amount of insoluble fiber --- fiber that passes through the digestive tract intact --- can also ease fiber-related problems. All fiber-rich foods contain insoluble fiber; foods with particularly high amounts include wheat bran, oat bran and beans.
Other Problematic Foods and Drinks
In addition to dairy and high-fiber foods, other problematic items include gassy foods such as broccoli, cabbage and beans. Popcorn can also cause digestive problems. Avoid or limit your intake of alcohol, coffee and other caffeinated beverages. These drinks have a stimulating effect that can worsen symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Weil also recommends staying away from foods and drinks sweetened with sorbitol or xylitol, known to cause diarrhea.
Working with a Dietitian
Ulcerative colitis can lead to nutritional deficiencies because it causes poor absorption of nutrients. Since so many foods can cause problems, you might find yourself with a severely limited diet, which can lead to additional deficiencies, unhealthy weight loss and other complications. Consider working with a dietitian experienced with treating IBD, who can help you design a healthy eating plan to ensure adequate intake of calories and essential nutrients.
