Ulcerative colitis is a condition that results in chronic inflammation of the large intestine. While this might seem like a relatively mild condition, it can have some significant health consequences in terms of day-to-day quality of life. It is important to make the distinction that ulcerative colitis is not the same as irritable bowel syndrome (or IBS), or Crohn’s disease, which is also a type of inflammatory bowel disease that impacts the entire gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:
- Bathroom urgency
- Persistent fatigue
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Rectal bleeding
- Anemia
Thankfully, in addition to doctor-prescribed medications, certain dietary change may help lower the frequency of ulcerative colitis flare ups:
1. High calorie diet
Those who take too aggressive of a posture towards ulcerative colitis can develop malnutrition, and this is why it is important to get a full day’s calories, but with good, healthy foods, and filling yet heart-healthy fats.
2. Go lactose free
Ulcerative colitis can interfere with fat absorption, and as a result it is generally recommended that those with the disease avoid lactose as much as possible.
3. Low fat diet
Ulcerative colitis is something that can interfere with fat absorption, and so it is very important to avoid a diet that is high in fat. Avoiding fatty foods during a flare-up especially is very important in minimizing its duration and severity.
4. Low fiber diet
Less fiber means less bowel movements, and as a result helps to decrease inflammation with an irritable bowel.
5. Cut sodium
Having less salt in one’s diet helps to cut down on water retention, and in so doing helps to make corticosteroid therapy more effective.
6. Low FODMAP diet
This is a diet that is low in certain types of sugars found in some carbohydrates and sugar alcohols. This diet is used for those who have intolerance to FODMAPS, and this functions as an ulcerative colitis diet.
