The intestinal bleeding, appetite loss and diarrhea caused by ulcerative colitis may increase your need for calories, protein and fluids. When ulcers in your intestinal lining become inflamed, you may need to avoid foods that irritate the lining. After your symptoms subside, your diet should feature a variety of foods that boost your nutritional status and promote healing, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).
Nutritional Needs
During flare-ups of ulcerative colitis -- a chronic inflammation of the colon and rectum that may be caused by an autoimmune reaction -- your health care provider may recommend that you restrict your intake of high-fiber foods that irritate the damaged intestinal lining. However, when you are not having active symptoms, such as abdominal cramps, rectal bleeding or diarrhea, you should eat balanced diet that meets your need for protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals, according to the CCFA. A diet for ulcerative colitis should promote tissue healing, replace nutrients lost due to diarrhea or bleeding and improve your overall nutritional status.
Nutritional Deficits
Food intolerance, digestive malabsorption and diarrhea may deprive you of essential nutrients, according to the CCFA. In addition, your body may need more protein to heal damaged tissues in your digestive tract. If milk and other dairy foods trigger diarrhea, you may be at risk for a calcium deficiency. Depending on the area of your bowel affected by ulcerative colitis, you may also have difficulty absorbing vitamin D, which helps your body utilize calcium. Chronic diarrhea can deplete potassium, an essential mineral and electrolyte that regulates blood pressure, and magnesium, which your body needs for energy production.
Sources
Sources of protein include lean meat, fish or poultry, tofu and other soy products, eggs, legumes, milk, yogurt and peanut butter. Foods high in iron, such as red meat, fish, dried beans and spinach, can prevent anemia, a potential complication of intestinal bleeding. Dark green, orange and yellow vegetables and citrus fruits provide vitamins A and C, which support wound healing and help you fight infection. Eating foods that are rich in potassium, such as oranges, bananas, potatoes and tomatoes, can help you replace this essential mineral. Drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water or other clear, non-caffeinated liquids to make up for the fluid loss caused by diarrhea.
Restrictions
Foods that have seeds or are high in roughage, such as whole grains and raw vegetables and fruits with skin, may aggravate your intestinal lining during active phases of the disease. Fatty or greasy foods can worsen diarrhea, especially if your body does not absorb fat properly. According to the CCFA, no special diet will eliminate the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and food reactions vary from one person to another. The CCFA recommends keeping a food journal to track your reactions to foods and to monitor your diet for potential nutritional deficiencies.
Supplements
If you are at risk for anemia, your health care provider may recommend oral iron tablets or liquid to compensate for blood loss. If you are lactose intolerant, you may need to take calcium supplements to replace the calcium in milk and milk products. Vitamin D malabsorption is more common with inflammation of the upper digestive tract than with ulceration of the colon, according to the CCFA. However, your health care provider may recommend that you take vitamin D supplements if you have a deficiency of this vitamin.
