Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. If you have this illness, you may experience swelling and inflammation of your colon and rectum. Ulcerative colitis is also an autoimmune disorder. Stress and certain foods may trigger the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. You should eat an anti-inflammatory diet if you have this condition to reduce inflammation in your colon.
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
If you have ulcerative colitis, you may experience symptoms such as abdominal cramping that disappears with bowel movements, gurgling sounds in your intestines, bloody stools, fever, chills, loss of appetite, weigh loss, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, swollen distended abdomen, increased intestinal gas, diarrhea, constant urge to have a bowel movement and rectal pain. Untreated ulcerative colitis can lead to bleeding, perforated colon, sores in the colon and toxic megacolon, a life-threatening complication of severe inflammatory bowel diseases that causes rapid distension of the colon.
Low-Residue Diet
If you have active symptoms of ulcerative colitis, you should eat a low-residue diet to help rest and heal the colon. Residue includes fiber and undigested food that form part of stool. High-fiber foods can aggravate ulcerative colitis symptoms, especially diarrhea, bloating and intestinal bleeding. Examples of low-residue foods include white bread, white rice, pasta, strained fruits and fruit juices without pulp. Be sure to increase your water intake as well to prevent the dehydration that bleeding and frequent diarrhea can cause. Ulcerative colitis can also interfere with nutrient absorption. Your doctor may prescribe vitamins and supplements to augment dietary intake.
High-Protein Foods
If you have ulcerative colitis, you should eat foods rich in protein. High-protein foods help heal your inflamed colon. Having ulcerative colitis may place you at increased risk for severe weight loss owing to frequent diarrhea. Protein-rich foods help prevent the muscle wasting that frequent diarrhea can cause. Rich sources of protein includes milk, dairy products, lean meat, poultry and nuts. Be cautious if you are lactose intolerant because dairy products can worsen diarrhea.
Foods to Avoid
Eliminate foods that seem to worsen your symptoms of ulcerative colitis. These foods may include alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, sorbitol, dried fruits, pepper, seeds, popcorn and gas-producing foods such as beans, brocolli and cauliflower. Alcohol and caffeine stimulate the intestines and worsen diarrhea. Carbonated beverages can also increase intestinal gas.
