Diet For Ulcerative Colitis: What To Eat And Foods To Avoid
Nutritional care during ulcerative or ulcerative colitis is of utmost importance because of decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, taste alterations and fatigue, increasing the risk of malnutrition.
Currently there is no specific diet for ulcerative colitis that can be recommended to promote remission in people with active disease, so it is important to see a nutritionist so that the diet is personalized, since the meal plan will be planned according to the severity of the disease, whether it is active or not, the symptoms present and the nutritional status of the individual.
However, there are some general recommendations that can be followed in order to avoid malnutrition, favoring the absorption of nutrients and a good nutritional status of the individual.
How to recognize what causes discomfort
The diet to control and avoid colitis crises vary from one person to another, being necessary for the individual to identify which foods tend to worsen digestion, cause abdominal pain and discomfort, diarrhea, constipation or increase intestinal gas.
It is therefore important for the individual to keep a food diary, noting down all the foods consumed during the day and whether any symptoms arose after eating. This will make it possible to identify after a few weeks which foods may cause discomfort and should be avoided.
It is important to emphasize that colitis can vary over time, and with it the foods that irritate the intestine as well, having to during a new crisis resume the food diary so that the nutritionist can readjust the diet.
What not to eat
When you have ulcerative colitis, it is important to avoid foods that increase inflammation in the body and irritate the intestine, these are:
With the help of a food diary, it will be easier to identify which foods worsen symptoms, however, those mentioned above often irritate the gut and worsen symptoms or trigger crises.
It is also important to remember that some people with ulcerative colitis may suffer from lactose intolerance, having in these cases to avoid dairy, as others may suffer from intolerance to gluten, fructooligosaccharides or any food allergy, in these cases the ideal is to go to a nutritionist to avoid that the diet is much more restrictive than it already is, being able to indicate several options and avoid malnutrition.
What to eat with ulcerative colitis
To help deflate the intestine, improve the intestinal flora and prevent new crises, you should eat several meals a day in small portions, chew food well, eat in a calm place and cook food simply (without the use of condiments) steamed or grilled, avoiding fried foods and sauces.
There is no scientific evidence to suggest a specific diet or foods to prevent or cure colitis, being important to remember that individuals may suffer from intolerances or allergies to certain foods. However, some general recommendations that can be followed are:
1. Low-fat meats
Consuming protein is of utmost importance during this disease, since individuals tend to lose muscle mass. During the active phase of the disease the amounts of protein should be increased, being rRecommended between 1.2 to 1.5 g per kilogram of body weight. In cases where there is a crisis, protein intake should be normal, at 1 g per kilogram of weight.
The proteins to be consumed should be low in fat such as fish, eggs, chicken and turkey without skin. In the case of red meats, they could be lean cuts that do not have visible fat and 1 or 2 times per week at most. Milk and derivatives
2. Milk and derivatives
Some people with ulcerative colitis may suffer from lactose intolerance, therefore milk and its derivatives should be consumed keeping an eye out for symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and gas after consumption. The severity of the symptoms will depend on the degree of intolerance, having to limit their consumption or consume them in very small quantities and preferably lactose-free.
It is important in these cases to obtain calcium from other food sources, or if the doctor considers it necessary, through a supplement. See calcium-rich foods.
In those who do not have this problem, dairy products may be consumed in small portions, preferably low in fat. Yogurt and kefir are excellent choices, because they provide probiotics that help improve intestinal flora and prevent diarrhea.
3. Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables in cases where colitis is active are recommended to be consumed without peel, without bagasse, without seeds and preferably cooked, to facilitate their absorption at intestinal level and avoid overstimulating the intestine. This is because fruits and vegetables contain fibers that stimulate bowel movements, so when they are ingested during the active phase or when there is a partial obstruction, they can worsen the associated symptoms.
Some vegetables could cause gas such as broccoli and cauliflower, for example, if this occurs they should be avoided, of course it will depend on each person.
See which foods cause gas.
4. Natural seasonings
To flavor foods it is possible to use dehydrated aromatic herbs such as parsley, rosemary, cilantro and basil, for example, as well as onion and garlic to season foods, thus avoiding the use of cubes, salt and pepper.
5. Good fats
The consumption of good fats in small portions could also be beneficial in people with ulcerative colitis, due to their contribution of essential fatty acids and omega-3, which act as natural anti-inflammatories in the body. These fats are extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, salmon, trout, sardines, flaxseed oil.
See others in anti-inflammatory foods.
6. Drink plenty of water
As ulcerative colitis can cause diarrhea or in some cases constipation, it is important for both situations to consume fluids, preferably water, however it may also be possible to consume natural juices liquefied and strained diluted in water.
In some cases, ulcerative colitis can become severe and cause complications such as severe diarrhea and partial or total obstruction of the bowel, in these cases the individual is usually admitted to the hospital, and nutrition is usually provided through a tube.
See more about enteral nutrition and what it consists of.
7. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are an important source of energy, foods such as white rice, pasta, white bread, potato should be consumed, avoiding consumption of these whole grains as they contain insoluble fiber which may not be beneficial for individuals with ulcerative colitis.
Can fiber be consumed?
Fiber can cause problems in some people with active ulcerative colitis, causing abdominal pain and may worsen diarrhea. Fiber is found in vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains, and there are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. In the case of ulcerative colitis, soluble fibers should be preferred, as it could help improve gastrointestinal symptoms.
Soluble fiber is that which dissolves in water and forms a kind of gel in the intestine, helping to decrease intestinal transit and in turn diarrhea. Some foods that contain them are pears, peaches, carrots, apples, guava, green banana, avocado and turnip.
Most foods contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, so cooking, peeling and removing seeds are important to reduce the intake of insoluble fiber. It is important to note that when the disease is in remission, a high-fiber diet should not be considered, due to the fact that it is not a good idea to eat a high-fiber diet.Care should be taken with the amount consumed.
Supplements that may be useful
People suffering from ulcerative colitis are more vulnerable to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, due to intestinal losses caused by diarrhea and the lack of appetite that occurs mainly during the active phase. Usually the physician indicates the intake of a multivitamin, however, it may not always be sufficient to correct deficiencies, mainly of iron, zinc and vitamin D.
For this reason, the supplementation of these micronutrients is important and should be indicated by a physician or nutritionist, since it is necessary to quantify the levels of vitamins and minerals in the blood in order to indicate the appropriate dose and supplements. These values should be monitored at least 1 time per year.
Other supplements that might be indicated in cases of mild or moderate ulcerative colitis are probiotics, as they can be useful to help regulate the intestinal flora, improve digestion, prevent diarrhea and constipation, and reduce gas formation, always remembering that they should be indicated by a physician.
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