A condition where the lining of the large intestine is inflamed, resulting in the development of painful ulcers on the colon is known as Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Ulcerative Colitis is a kind of inflammatory bowel disease that affects over 700,000 people in the country.

A person’s diet has a significant effect on this condition. Certain types of food substances can help in reducing the symptoms while some others can worsen the condition. Therefore, careful planning and attention must be involved in the diet plan that would be set for the patients of ulcerative colitis. Some of the dietary tips that can be followed by the patients of ulcerative colitis are as follows:

• Avoid vegetables with high fiber content & beans: Cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, etc.) and beans can be really difficult for the digestive system to break down. Because of this difficulty, the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can be triggered or worsened. Leafy green vegetables, while considered to be healthy, can also be the culprit by falling into this category and may best be avoided. In cases of flare-ups, it would be advisable to go for a low-fiber diet as it can reduce abdominal pain and other symptoms of ulcerative colitis. As it is important to make sure that the food consumed does not miss out on any nutritional value, consulting a dietician about which vegetables can be included would be helpful.
• Reduce the consumption of processed foods: Food substances that are highly processed are not good for anyone’s health, in general. Certain studies suggest that the emulsifiers that are added to improve the shelf life and increase the creaminess of products like margarine and ice cream can lead to the development of inflammation in the gut. CCF (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation) guidelines also suggest that greasy and sugary foods are best avoided. In addition to these products, the use of artificial sweeteners and artificially flavored sugar-free food products should also be significantly reduced as these food substances can cause diarrhea.
• Remove dairy products from the diet: Food products such as dairy products can have high rates of intolerance. Although ulcerative colitis is not caused by food allergies, dairy products can be particularly difficult. Dairy products can induce different types of symptoms such as increasing gas, severe diarrhea, or even cause cramping. Particularly in the time of flare-ups, it would be best to avoid dairy products. A lot of dairy alternatives are available in the market today that can easily replace the normal milk. Some examples of these replacements include almond milk, rice milk, or lactose-free cow’s milk. Yogurt is known to have a good quantity of probiotics and also contains less lactose when compared to milk. So yogurt can be added to the diet.
• Consume nuts carefully: While nuts are usually healthy, the high fiber content present in them can make them a digestive irritant. Nuts should be taken in a properly powdered form or blended into very fine pieces. However, at the time of flare-ups, it would be best if nuts are completely avoided. Nut butters can be a good replacement.