What to eat during ulcerative colitis flare up: 8 Foods to Eat During an Ulcerative Colitis Flare
8 Foods to Eat During an Ulcerative Colitis Flare
If you have ulcerative colitis, you may already know which foods worsen your flares. But figuring out what to include in your diet is equally important, because the right foods will provide you with key nutrients without aggravating your symptoms.
Most experts recommend that you limit your fiber intake when you’re having an ulcerative colitis flare. A general rule is to replace high-fiber foods, such as nuts, seeds, and raw fruits and vegetables, with more easily digestible fare. Here are eight foods to eat during an ulcerative colitis flare and the reasons they can help.
1. Applesauce: Since your gastrointestinal system is experiencing a lot of irritation during a flare, you may want to stick to soft, easily digestible foods like applesauce. Be sure to choose an unsweetened variety though, because added sugar can cause more inflammation. You can also make your own sugar-free applesauce by cooking peeled, sliced apples with some water and then pureeing the mixture.
2. Ripe bananas and canned fruits: Although dietitians generally recommend avoiding raw fruits during a flare, very ripe, soft bananas are often well tolerated. Bananas are also a good source of carbohydrates, which, along with protein and fats, provide energy. Also, soft fruits like canned pears or peaches may not be irritating, says Shannon Szeles, RDN, of York, Pennsylvania.
3. Cooked vegetables: Soft, cooked veggies like carrots and spinach can provide important nutrients, such as vitamins A and K. Just make sure the vegetables are thoroughly cooked— until they can be mashed with a fork, Szeles says — so that any potentially irritating fiber is broken down.
4. Probiotics: If you’re not lactose intolerant, yogurt can provide you with some protein and probiotics, which are live bacteria that may help the digestive system. Be sure to buy yogurt that says live and active cultures on the label, Szeles says. Avoid yogurt that contains large chunks of fruit, which could be hard to digest.
“It’s fine if yogurt has fruit that’s soft, seedless, and blended in,” Szeles adds. Probiotic supplements are also an option if you are lactose intolerant.
5. Salmon: People with ulcerative colitisand are lactose intolerant or simply want to get more protein in your diet add salmon to the foods you eat during a flare. In addition to being a great source of protein, salmon has healthy omega-3 fatty acids that may help reduce inflammation. If you don’t like salmon, you can eat tuna, shrimp, or other fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Neilanjan Nandi, MD, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, recommends baking, broiling, or sautéing salmon rather than frying it. “Frying fish causes it to lose a lot of its nutritional value,” he says.
6. Nut butters: Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, and other nut butters are another source of protein and healthy fats. Choose creamy peanut butter instead of chunky to avoid having to digest difficult nut pieces, which could cause further irritation during a flare.
Try eating peanut butter with bread, Dr. Nandi advises, or wrap it in a tortilla. Another good choice is nut butter on a low fiber crackers like a saltine.
7. White rice with turmeric: If you can’t tolerate most foods during an ulcerative colitis flare, you may want to stick with bland choices, such as cooked white rice. If you want to add flavor, try sprinkling it with turmeric, a yellow spice whose key ingredient, curcumin, has shown some benefit in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
A meta-analysis published in November 2019 in the Annals of Gastroenterology found that taking curcumin along with an anti-inflammatory was better for treating ulcerative colitis than only taking an anti-inflammatory medication.
Turmeric is widely used in India, where the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease is lower than in the United States or Europe, says Arun Swaminath, MD, director of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
8. Water, sports drinks, and fruit juice: The diarrhea that often occurs during an ulcerative colitis flare can cause you to lose a lot of fluids, and replenishing them is important. “When you’re dehydrated, every symptom you have is amplified,” Nandi says. Sports drinks combined with water in a 1:1 ratio can help replace lost carbohydrates and electrolytes, he says. No-pulp fruit juice is also an option, Szeles says, but avoid prune juice because of its high fiber content.
“It’s important for people with ulcerative colitis to work with a registered dietitian nutritionist to develop an individualized meal plan,” says Szeles. “This can help provide specific calorie and nutrient goals since all bodies tolerate foods differently.”
Additional reporting by Nina Wasserman.
Managing Ulcerative Colitis
Everything you need to know about treating your symptoms and warding off a future flare — because you have more resources at your hands than you may think.
Bloating and Cramps and Gas, Oh My!
Check In, Check Up: Ulcerative Colitis
Check In, Check Up: Ulcerative Colitis
Can life with UC get better? Or is this as good as it gets? Take these quizzes to assess your treatment plan.
How to Ease Your Symptoms During a Flare
How to Ease Your Symptoms During a Flare
Use these tips to quell stomach pain, nausea, and more.
By Marie Suszynski
10 Common Mistakes That Make UC Worse
10 Common Mistakes That Make UC Worse
Find out which common habits can have a negative impact on your symptoms.
By Madeline R. Vann, MPH
8 Tips to Manage Fatigue
8 Tips to Manage Fatigue
Use these tips to feel more energized throughout the day.
By Agata Blaszczak-Boxe
7 Ways to Ease UC Cramps
7 Ways to Ease UC Cramps
Use these tips to minimize abdominal pain.
By Madeline R. Vann, MPH
One in three people who have ulcerative colitis require surgery after living with the condition for 30 years.
Source: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
What to Eat
Eating certain foods (especially during a flare) can help ease your symptoms and prevent digestive pain and cramping.
What to Know About Juicing for Ulcerative Colitis
What to Know About Juicing for Ulcerative Colitis
During a flare, juicing can provide you with some much-needed nutrients without triggering your symptoms.
By Jessica Migala
The Best Vegetables for UC
The Best Vegetables for UC
Vegetables are a part of a healthy diet, but soluble fiber may be easier to stomach during a flare.
By Marygrace Taylor
8 Foods to Eat During a Flare
8 Foods to Eat During a Flare
These nutritious, easy-to-digest foods are good for your gut and your health.
By Agata Blaszczak-Boxe
7 Easy and Tasty Food Swaps
7 Easy and Tasty Food Swaps
Replace these dietary items with good-for-your-gut alternatives.
By Charlotte Libov
What to Know About Prebiotics
What to Know About Prebiotics
Prebiotics can keep your digestive system healthy. But are they a good choice for you?
By Quinn Phillips
Nearly half of people with ulcerative colitis are in remission.
Source: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Ulcerative Colitis Medications and Surgery
Use this guide to find out which treatments can help control the symptoms of colitis.
5 Ways to Naturally Treat UC
5 Ways to Naturally Treat UC
Natural remedies may not be your primary treatment approach, but they might help you manage your symptoms.
By Diana Rodriguez
How to Find the Right Ulcerative Colitis Doctor
How to Find the Right Ulcerative Colitis Doctor
Whether you’re looking for a new doctor or seeking a second opinion, these tips can help you find the best one.
..
By Marie Suszynski
6 Things That Can Happen When UC Isn’t Treated
6 Things That Can Happen When UC Isn’t Treated
Unchecked inflammation can trigger symptoms (and complications) in both the short- and long-term.
By Elizabeth Yun
Most people are diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis, in theirs 20s and 30s
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Your Total-Body Guide to Staying Healthy With UC
Ulcerative colitis can trigger symptoms that go far beyond the gut. Here’s how to protect your heart, immune system, and more.
What to Know About Blood Clots if You Have UC
What to Know About Blood Clots if You Have UC
The inflammation from colitis can also raise your risk of clots.
By Jessica Migala
The Connection Between Ulcerative Colitis and Anemia
The Connection Between Ulcerative Colitis and Anemia
Blood loss from UC can lead to an iron deficiency.
By Ashley Welch
Can Ulcerative Colitis Harm Your Heart?
Can Ulcerative Colitis Harm Your Heart?
Learn the connection between UC and heart disease.
By Beth W. Orenstein
By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Diet for chronic colitis | Sanatorium Gorny
Colitis is an inflammatory disease of the colon. Treatment of colitis is always complex. A prerequisite for successful treatment is diet.
If you have chronic colitis , you should regularly undergo preventive treatment .
General rules. duration of the diet.
Nutrition for colitis should be balanced in terms of nutrients. The main task of the diet is to reduce the load on the entire digestive tract.
General rules of nutrition for intestinal colitis:
Fractional nutrition. 5-6 times a day.
Give preference to mashed and semi-liquid foods.
Food should not be hot or cold. The optimal temperature of dishes is 30-40 C
Exclusion of products containing fiber
Reduce salt intake to 8-10 grams per day
Maintain drinking regimen (at least 1.5 liters per day)
- Food can be boiled or steamed.
Nutrition for colitis during an exacerbation.
During an exacerbation of colitis, diet is very important. The task of the diet is to stop inflammation in the intestines, restore proper digestion and eliminate the processes of fermentation and putrefaction.
To do this, it is recommended to completely exclude food products that cause fermentation or decay. With diarrhea, it is necessary to exclude foods rich in fiber, vegetables and bran. With constipation, on the contrary, you need to increase peristalsis and eat a lot of vegetables and cereals.
Dishes should be steamed or boiled. Food must be ground, chopped or pureed. It is better to boil porridges strongly or use special porridges for baby food.
Nutrition for chronic colitis.
Outside of exacerbation, dieting for colitis avoids exacerbation.
The diet is based on cereals boiled in water and semi-liquid food. You can add butter to the porridge. Soups are prepared on the second broth from lean meat. Vegetables can be added in a small amount in pureed form.
You can eat eggs in the form of steam omelettes, steamed fish or minced beef cutlets.
You can drink weak black and green teas, herbal tea. Coffee is not recommended, but can be replaced with chicory. The daily volume of water consumed should be about 1.5 liters.
Diet types:
With an exacerbation of chronic colitis or with an acute form of colitis with loose stools (diarrhea), diet No. 4 is recommended. With this diet, foods rich in fiber are not recommended.
All dishes that cause rotting and fermentation are also excluded.
If the disease proceeds with constipation, then diet No. 3 is recommended. With this diet, foods that enhance intestinal motility, rich in fiber, are recommended.
In chronic colitis without exacerbation, you must adhere to diet number 2.
List of approved products:
PORRIDGE AND CEREALS: Buckwheat, semolina, oatmeal, rice.
FRUITS: Pears, apples, quinces.
BERRIES: Blueberries, black currants, dogwoods.
DAIRY PRODUCTS: Acidophilus, low-fat cottage cheese, butter.
MEAT: Boiled beef, veal, rabbit, chicken, turkey.
BREAD: White bread rusks.
VEGETABLES: Carrots, cauliflower, potatoes as an addition to soups.
List of fully or partially restricted products.
VEGETABLES: White cabbage, legumes, horseradish.
FRUITS: Melons, bananas, grapes.
MEAT: Pork, sausage, sausages, ham, duck, goose.
DAIRY PRODUCTS: Milk, kefir, sour cream, full-fat cottage cheese, cheese.
SOFT DRINKS: Kvass, grape juice, carbonated sweet drinks.
DESSERTS: Ice cream, cakes, shortcrust pastry, chocolate.
Colitis Nutrition Menu (Meal Mode)
Nutrition for colitis should be as sparing as possible.
Food should be fractional – 5-6 times a day. Last meal 3 hours before bed.
Recipes for dietary dishes with colitis.
Sample menu for a day from a diet for intestinal colitis:
Breakfast: Boiled oatmeal with butter. Apple compote.
Second breakfast: Beef steam cutlet. Kissel from blueberries.
Lunch: Rice soup with chicken meatballs. Boiled sea fish. Herb tea
Afternoon snack: Low-fat cottage cheese casserole. Apple compote.
Dinner: Meat casserole.
Weak tea.
Before going to bed: Compote or jelly.
Nutritionists’ comments:
With colitis, therapeutic nutrition is a prerequisite for successful treatment. Properly chosen diet and its observance allow you to quickly get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.
“The right choice of a sanatorium is a significant step towards the preservation and enhancement of health. “Gorny” is a resort complex that combines the experience and knowledge of Russian and Soviet balneology. The availability of modern medical equipment and innovative installations, the professionalism of the staff and love for their work will serve as a guarantee for extending longevity,” – the head doctor of the sanatorium Karaulov Alexander Olegovich.
References:
Okorokov, A.N. Diagnosis of diseases of internal organs: T. 1. Diagnosis of diseases of the digestive system / A.N. Okorokov M.: Med. lit., 2000.
Vorobyov, G. I. Nonspecific inflammatory bowel diseases / G. I. Vorobyov, I. L. Khalif M.: Miklosh, 2008.
City Clinical Hospital No. 31 – IBD: Diet therapy for IBD (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
Page 1 of 12
Guidelines for patients “Dietary nutrition in inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)” were prepared at the Department of Gastroenterology and Dietetics, St. I.I. Mechnikov “(former SPbMAPE).
Authors:
professor A.Yu. Baranovsky, Professor L.I. Nazarenko, nutritionist A.G. Kharitonov
St. Petersburg
Introduction
ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by ulcerative changes in the colon mucosa. Women and men get ulcerative colitis equally often.
People of different ages get sick, but there are two peaks of incidence: 15-30 and 50-70 years. During the course of the disease, an exacerbation is distinguished (manifested by frequent stools mixed with mucus and blood, abdominal pain, fever, etc.) and remission (lack of activity of the inflammatory process). Ulcerative colitis is characterized by a progressive course and often – the development of complications.
In contrast to ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease inflammation may involve the entire digestive tube, from the oral cavity to the anus, but the ileum is most often affected. It is possible to develop complications both from the intestine (abscesses, fissures, fistulas, narrowing, etc.), and extraintestinal complications (cholelithiasis and urolithiasis, protein-energy deficiency, etc.).
For the treatment of IBD, anti-inflammatory drugs (5-aminosalicylic acid derivatives), hormonal drugs (prednisolone, methylprednisolone), antibacterial agents, immunosuppressors and immunomodulators, biological therapy drugs, and surgical methods of treatment are used.
An integral part of the treatment of IBD is diet therapy.
The question of proper nutrition in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is still difficult for both the dietitian and the patient. Patients often note that such manifestations of the disease as pain or diarrhea occur immediately after eating. Therefore, most of them want clear recommendations about what they can eat and drink. However, unlike diseases that are strictly dependent on diet, such as diabetes mellitus or gout, there are no hard and fast dietary recommendations for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
However, together with medications, surgery and lifestyle modifications, nutritional therapy forms the basis for successful treatment of the disease.
It should be remembered that dietary measures for Crohn’s disease are different from those for ulcerative colitis. The diet during an exacerbation is different from the diet during remission of the disease. Moreover, each patient reacts differently to food.