Is There a Special Diet for Ulcerative Colitis?
It is only natural to assume that because
ulcerative colitis is a condition that affects the
digestive system, diet could play a role in preventing or treating it. Many people wonder if there is a special "ulcerative colitis diet" to help slow down the progression of, or even cure, the disease. The short answer to this question is no. Despite extensive research, there is no special diet that has been proven effective for preventing, treating, or curing ulcerative colitis.
Until more data is available, people should continue to follow balanced and healthy diets, be skeptical of "miraculous" claims, and avoid elimination diets and fad nutritional practices.
The Well-Balanced Ulcerative Colitis Diet
If you have ulcerative colitis, it is important that you eat a well-balanced diet. Doing this can help you feel better and can be a positive step in dealing with ulcerative colitis. It can also help decrease your chances of developing
heart disease or certain types of cancer.
Some suggestions for eating a well-balanced diet include:
- Eating heart-healthy foods, such as:
- Fruits, vegetables, grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
- Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
- Limiting foods with saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and added sugars
- Limiting your intake of alcohol.
You should also try and get regular physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week.
A person with ulcerative colitis should take vitamin supplements only as his or her doctor recommends.
