Ulcerative colitis is a painful condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. As an inflammatory bowel disease, it can cause rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea and bowel urgency. Though there isn't a solid connection between diet and ulcerative colitis, you can control your symptoms by avoiding certain foods and incorporate others into your menu.
Avoid the Primary Offenders
Some foods cause more flare-ups of ulcerative colitis symptoms than others. This can be very individual. However, a few surefire foods to avoid are those that produce a lot of gas: sodas, popcorn, raw juices, fruit, cabbage, beans, alcohol, caffeine and broccoli.
Stay Hydrated
By drinking at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day, you help keep stool soft and moving through your digestive tract. Not drinking enough water can cause your stool to harden, leading to more pain, gas and unpleasant colitis symptoms.
Eat Fiber-Rich Foods
Foods high in fiber might be the ticket to controlling ulcerative colitis. Slowly add fresh vegetables and fruits--even whole grains--to your diet. These foods are very healthy and provide nutritional benefits, along with the digestive benefit of fiber to bulk up your stool. However, if the inflammation in your bowel is severe, added fiber might create additional gas, pain and diarrhea. The best way to test fiber's effect on your body is to slowly add it to your diet.
Reduce Dairy Intake
Dairy can contribute to gas, abdominal pain and diarrhea, so it may be best to reduce your dairy intake to the minimum required amounts. If that doesn't work, you might have to stop eating dairy altogether. Before you do this, however, try some of the lactose-free products on the market or a supplement such as Lactaid, which helps lactose break down in the body.
Reduce Meal Size
To place less pressure on your digestive system, try reducing the size of your meals. Instead of three large meals, try eating five or six smaller ones to help food move through your system easily and with less pressure.
