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Dietary Tips to Help Manage Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammatory condition that causes inflammation of the large intestine and causes sores in the linings of the intestine. This inflammatory condition is chronic and is a type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). When you are diagnosed with UC, your diet has to be strictly monitored. Here are some top dietary tips for ulcerative colitis that you should know follow.
- Lower your fiber intake
While fiber is usually considered good for health, the consumption of fiber-rich foods in some cases can cause a flare-up of ulcerative colitis symptoms, including diarrhea and increased bowel movements. An essential dietary tip for managing ulcerative colitis is to restrict your fiber intake to less than 20 grams per day. This will make sure your bowel movements are limited and keep you away from diarrhea. - Opt for a low FODMAP diet
This is a diet that has become very popular with patients struggling with conditions like UC, IBS, and Crohn’s disease. This diet is based on the fact that when you eat a lot of simple carbohydrates and sugar, they cause the growth of excess bacteria in the gut, and this leads to flaring up of inflammation and diarrhea. When you follow a low FODMAP diet, you can eat bananas, all kinds of berries, meats, rice, oats, and green leafy vegetables. It is recommended to stay away from dairy products, apples, watermelons, and all kinds of sweeteners. - Opt for supplements
Another important dietary tip for ulcerative colitis is to start taking multivitamins and other dietary supplements. When you have longer bouts of diarrhea because of UC, you cannot retain enough nutrients. This can make you tired and cause weight loss. Talk to your doctor about dietary supplements. - Avoid alcohol
One of the biggest triggers of UC is alcohol. Alcohol can make the linings of the intestine sensitive and can cause UC symptoms, including cramping, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. - Avoid caffeine
In the list of dietary tips for ulcerative colitis, reducing the amount of caffeine you drink in a day is a tip you should always remember. Caffeine speeds up the digestion process, and this can flare up UC symptoms. - Stay away from foods containing sulfur/sulfate
Both sulfur and sulfate are found in natural food sources like apricots, apples, onion, garlic, eggs, dairy products, wheat, and dried fruits. These cause gas production in the body that can aggravate the symptoms of UC.
Ulcerative colitis can be difficult to handle, especially if its symptoms keep flaring up often. It is a painful and uncomfortable condition. Please note all these dietary tips for ulcerative colitis and make sure you follow them right. Along with medications and a healthy lifestyle, following the right diet will ensure you do not struggle with flare-ups often.