Nutrition In Ulcerative Colitis - What To Avoid And What Is Allowed

General information

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon and rectum. Along with Crohn's disease, it is among the most common inflammatory autoimmune diseases of the gut. In ulcerative colitis, wounds called ulcers develop in the colon.

Symptoms of the disease include:

• stomach ache;
• blood or pus in the stool;
• diarrhea;
• nausea;
• bleeding from the rectum;
• fatigue;
• weight loss.

Researchers do not know for sure what causes ulcerative colitis, but they believe that it is probably due to an immune reaction of the body, which is directed in the wrong direction. A number of factors can cause an exacerbation of the disease, including certain foods.

Foods to avoid (especially when your disease is active):

People with ulcerative colitis find it difficult to process foods high in fiber. Among the products that are richest in fiber is wholemeal flour, as it does not remove bran and germ. Refrain from eating any foods made from wholemeal flour, namely:

• wholemeal bread;
• cereals;
• pasta, which is written to contain wholemeal flour;
• pasta with wholemeal flour.

• Brown rice;
• quinoa;
• buckwheat;
• oats;
• wild rice;
• barley;
• millet;
• grains of wheat or einkorn;
• bulgur;
• spelled

These foods can irritate the colon and cause an attack of exacerbation of the symptoms of the disease.

It is good to exclude nuts and seeds, including those in the form of flour or as an addition to dishes. The ballast substances in nuts are difficult to digest.

• walnuts;
• hazelnuts;
• pecan (American walnut);
• porridge;
• almonds;
• macadamia;
• peanuts;
• pistachios;
• sesame seeds;
• flaxseed;
• millet;
• Pine nuts;
• sunflower seeds;
• pumpkin seeds.

Peas, legumes and lentils

Legumes, including beans, lentils and peas, are high-protein foods rich in fiber. Due to the insoluble sugars contained in beans, it is known as a gas-forming food. If you have an episode of exacerbation of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, it is good to avoid:

• all legumes, including chickpeas;
• soybeans.

Fruits

Although useful, most fruits are high in fiber. In the list of foods you should avoid, include fruits that are:

• raw;
• dried;
• with seeds that cannot be removed (like most berries)
• prunes.

Vegetables

Like fruits, vegetables are also high in fiber. Avoid eating raw vegetables, especially those that have seeds. Poorly cooked vegetables, including corn, irritate the stomach. They are easier to digest if taken in the form of mashed vegetable soups. Vegetables provide many important nutrients and it is good to be present in your diet.

Sulphates and sulphides

Sulfates are a breeding ground for certain types of bacteria that form the poisonous gas hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in patients with ulcerative colitis. In fact, more than 90% of patients with ulcerative colitis develop hydrogen sulfide instead of methane in their stomachs, as is common. If you have bloating and gas with a very bad smell, it is possible that there are large amounts of these bacteria in your colon. And this, in turn, may be due to the fact that you eat foods or beverages high in sulfates and sulfides, or both. Such foods and beverages are:

• red meat;
• beer, wine, apple and grape juice;
• cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, turnips);
• eggs;
• fresh milk, cheese, yellow cheese;
• dried fruits;
• some table or mineral water.

Milk and milk products

Many people with ulcerative colitis have an intolerance to these foods. If you suspect that milk and dairy products are causing you symptoms, exclude all types of dairy products, including butter, fresh milk, yogurt, white brined cheese and yellow cheese for at least four weeks.

Foods containing gluten

Gluten intolerance is becoming more common among people who suffer from symptoms affecting the digestive system. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. If you think your symptoms may be caused by gluten, exclude all types of gluten - containing cereals, cereals, pastries and other products for at least four weeks.

Foods that you can eat without problems

Although it may be necessary to follow a very limited diet during an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis, it should not be annoying. Focus on the foods you can eat, not the ones you should avoid. Foods that you can easily consume (as long as you do not have a proven allergy or intolerance to any of them) include:

• white bread without added seeds;
• pasta, noodles and white flour pasta;
• well-cooked white rice;
• crackers and cereals made from processed white flour;
• canned and heat-treated fruits;
• heat-treated vegetables without peel, skin and seeds;
• mashed vegetable soups;
• tender meats (without fat and skin), fish;
• peanut oil, fats (olive oil and coconut oil).

There is no universal diet that is recommended for patients with ulcerative colitis. The reason is that eating the same foods can affect people with this disease in different ways. Therefore, the advice given by doctors is to prepare your menu, especially in moments of exacerbation of the disease, on a trial and error basis.

Another thing that is important to know is that diet alone cannot cure bouts of the disease. The only way to enter remission is to consult a gastroenterologist and prescribe the right therapy for you. However, following a proper diet would contribute to the success of your treatment.

Cooking techniques:

• cooking - YES
• baked - YES
• frying - NO