Ulcerative Colitis Diet

While there is no special "ulcerative colitis diet" that has been proven effective at preventing or treating the condition, some people find that avoiding certain foods (like dairy products or spicy foods) can greatly reduce their symptoms. People with ulcerative colitis should eat a well-balanced diet with lots of heart-healthy foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and lean meats) and limited amounts of saturated fats, salt, and alcohol, among other things. It is also important that people who have ulcerative colitis get at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day on most days of the week.

 

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 ulcerative colitis. And many people wonder if there is a special "ulcerative colitis diet" to help slow 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 are available, patients 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. A well-balanced diet 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 has recommended.
 
(Ulcerative Colitis Diet Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD