Eating lean proteins, refined grains, and low fiber fruits may help reduce ulcerative colitis flare-ups. Avoiding trigger foods like high fat, greasy, and spicy foods is also important.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes the colon lining to become inflamed or develop ulcers.
Flare-ups are periods when symptoms of UC worsen or reappear. These are followed by remission, which is when you experience no UC symptoms.
During flare-ups, it may be challenging to choose what to eat and drink because certain products may worsen symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel movements. Similarly, certain foods may also trigger flare-ups.
Making certain changes to your diet can help you manage flares and reduce symptoms.
Keep reading to learn more about what to eat and avoid during a UC flare, along with the best diets for IBD.
During a UC flare-up, it’s important to make sure you’re still getting the right amount of nutrients.
Although you may want to avoid or limit certain foods to prevent flare-ups, too much restriction may lead to nutrient deficiencies. People with UC have a
Focusing on nutrient-rich foods can help you get the recommended vitamins and nutrients. Some foods that may be easier to tolerate during a UC flare include:
- low fiber fruits, such as bananas, honeydew melon, and cooked fruits
- lean protein, such as seafood, chicken, eggs, and firm tofu
- refined grains, such as oatmeal, sourdough bread, and white rice, breads, and pastas
- cooked vegetables without seeds or skins, such as asparagus tips, potatoes, and cucumbers
It’s also important to get enough calcium during a UC flare-up to avoid bone problems. If dairy products trigger UC symptoms, try calcium-fortified cow’s milk alternatives like almond or oat milk.
Taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements and probiotics may also help reduce inflammation during a UC flare-up.
When you start to feel better, slowly reintroduce foods into your diet, especially those with fiber. Research suggests that eating a low fat, high fiber diet could help reduce inflammation and maintain remission.
During a UC flare, you may need to eliminate certain foods from your diet. Working with a doctor or dietitian to adjust your diet can help you avoid nutrient deficiencies.
Start by cutting out foods you know trigger your symptoms. These can vary from person to person.
According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, common trigger foods for UC include:
- whole nuts or whole grains
- fruits with skin and seeds
- raw cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower
- lactose, which is found in dairy
- greasy, fried, or spicy foods
- non-absorbable sugars, often in fruit juices and ice cream
- candy, pastries, and other sugary foods
- caffeinated drinks
- alcohol
- spicy foods
Using a journal to track the foods you eat and symptoms you may experience could help you identify trigger foods. For 1 week, try writing down what and when you eat, as well as any symptoms that may occur.
Food preparation and meal planning can be helpful tools when coping with a UC flare.
Eating smaller, more frequent meals rather than three large meals can help you manage UC symptoms, but this can be a lot to prepare when managing severe symptoms.
Here are some tips to help you prepare meals in advance to be ready for a UC flare:
- Buy ingredients in bulk.
- Cook in larger batches and store extra food to eat at a later time.
- Pre-portion your meals and store them in the fridge or freezer for your convenience.
- Use a slow cooker.
Remission is when you’re not experiencing symptoms of UC.
Although you may want to go back to eating all your favorite foods, it’s better to introduce new foods gradually. This could help you identify any potential trigger foods and avoid them in the future.
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation recommends the following tips to help you maintain remission:
- Stay well hydrated.
- Avoid frying foods and instead boil, grill, steam, or bake food.
- Limit certain foods, such as processed meats and red meat.
- Avoid restricting too much, as this may lead to fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition.
Certain diets may help you prevent UC flare-ups and maintain remission.
However, it’s important to note the research is mixed, and no evidence supports one specific diet to prevent or cure IBD for everyone.
It’s best to work with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian, as they could help develop a diet specific to your condition.
Here are a few diets to consider:
- Carbohydrate exclusion diets: These meal plans limit or exclude grains, fibers, and certain sugars, which may contribute to UC flares in some people.
- Mediterranean diet: This diet focuses on fiber and plant-based foods, olive oil, low fat dairy, herbs, and a moderate amount of lean protein, which may benefit UC.
- Low fiber diet: This diet excludes leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, popcorn, whole grains, and raw fruits with peels, all of which contain fiber that could worsen cramping and bowel movements during UC flares.
- Low FODMAP diet: This diet cuts back on specific groups of sugar that aren’t absorbed well by the gastrointestinal tract, such as fructose, lactose, and sugar polyols.
- Gluten-free diet: A gluten-free diet cuts out gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye food products that may serve as a trigger to certain individuals who have UC.
Remember, it’s best to speak with a healthcare professional before trying a new diet to help avoid nutrient deficiencies.
Looking for more tips on how to manage UC flare-ups?
Connecting with other people living with UC could help you get more tips on managing your diet during a UC flare-up.
Bezzy IBD is a free app for people living with ulcerative colitis. As a Bezzy member, you can participate in forum discussions, weekly live chats, and have access to in-app one-to-one messages.
It’s available to download via AppStore and Google Play.
What foods should I eat during a colitis flare-up?
Foods to eat during a colitis flare-up will vary for each person. However, some foods are typically better tolerated than others. These may include lean proteins, low fiber fruits, cooked vegetables, and refined grains.
How do you settle a colitis flare-up?
Some ways to help manage an ulcerative colitis flare-up include avoiding trigger foods, staying hydrated, exercising, trying stress-relieving activities, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers or antidiarrheals.
What are the worst foods to eat if you have colitis?
Some trigger foods commonly associated with ulcerative colitis symptoms include foods high in fiber, lactose, and fat, as well as beverages like alcohol, coffee, and tea.
Adjusting your diet during a UC flare can help tame symptoms. For instance, you may find it helpful to avoid common trigger foods like caffeinated drinks and whole grains.
When you’re feeling better, introduce new foods gradually and try to stay hydrated.
Several IBD diets may also help reduce symptoms of UC. Talk with a doctor or a dietitian about whether a new meal plan could be useful for you.