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Ulcerative Colitis Diet Information
If you've been living with ulcerative colitis for a while, you've probably heard varying opinions about the role diet plays in the condition. You may have also heard that you should avoid dairy products, and that you should never eat popcorn or peanuts during flare-ups. So how do you sort myth from truth and make your food work for you?
Your diet did not cause your ulcerative colitis.
There is no current evidence that diet causes ulcerative colitis. However, now that you've been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, paying attention to the foods you eat may help to manage your symptoms.
There is not a standard ulcerative colitis diet for all people with the disease.
Your food choices will depend upon the severity of your disease, whether it is active or in remission, the medications you're taking, your individual nutrient needs, and your individual food tolerances.
Maintaining a healthy diet and meeting your nutritional needs is an important part of managing ulcerative colitis.
This can be a challenge, especially during flare-ups. Eat a variety of foods that are nutrient dense. Nutrient-dense foods supply plenty of vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbohydrates that your body needs, making every bite count. Talk with your healthcare team about whether you should incorporate vitamin or mineral supplements into your diet.
Dairy Products & High Fiber Foods.
There is no evidence that dairy products or high-fiber foods aggravate ulcerative colitis symptoms in all patients. It is a common recommendation that people with ulcerative colitis should follow a low-fiber diet and limit dairy intake. However, new research indicates that this traditional approach may unnecessarily restrict your food choices. Again, it's important to track your own reactions to these foods and discuss with your healthcare team.
Drink plenty of fluids.
A myth exists that reducing fluid intake will lessen diarrhea in ulcerative colitis patients. Reducing fluid intake can leave you weak and exhausted because you're already losing water through diarrhea. Make sure you drink ample fluids to make up for the water you lose through diarrhea. It's okay to meet part of your fluid requirement with fruit juices or decaffeinated soft drinks, but try to drink as much water as possible.
Try smaller meals and snacks.
You may find that it's easier for you to meet all your nutritional needs, and possibly minimize your ulcerative colitis symptoms, by eating frequent small meals and snacks throughout the day.
Always talk with your healthcare team before making dietary changes, or if you have any concerns.
The above information has been excerpted from Better Nutrition For People With Ulcerative Colitis: How to Make Your Food Work for You, by Lauren Niemes, RD, Executive Director, Cincinnati Nutrition Council.
Your diet did not cause your ulcerative colitis.
There is no current evidence that diet causes ulcerative colitis. However, now that you've been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, paying attention to the foods you eat may help to manage your symptoms.
Tips for Managing Your Diet
- Pay attention to the foods that affect your ulcerative colitis.
- Determine your own food tolerances by working with your health care team, including your doctor, the office staff, and a registered dietician.
- Use a food diary that tracks what you eat and your associated symptoms.
- Some foods to watch closely include dairy products, high-fiber foods, and foods that might cause an obstruction such as nuts, seeds and popcorn.
- Eat a variety of foods that are nutrient-dense like whole-grain breads and cereals, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Eat frequent but smaller meals and snacks.
- Speak with your health care team before making dietary changes, or if you have any concerns.
There is not a standard ulcerative colitis diet for all people with the disease.
Your food choices will depend upon the severity of your disease, whether it is active or in remission, the medications you're taking, your individual nutrient needs, and your individual food tolerances.
Maintaining a healthy diet and meeting your nutritional needs is an important part of managing ulcerative colitis.
This can be a challenge, especially during flare-ups. Eat a variety of foods that are nutrient dense. Nutrient-dense foods supply plenty of vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbohydrates that your body needs, making every bite count. Talk with your healthcare team about whether you should incorporate vitamin or mineral supplements into your diet.
Dairy Products & High Fiber Foods.
There is no evidence that dairy products or high-fiber foods aggravate ulcerative colitis symptoms in all patients. It is a common recommendation that people with ulcerative colitis should follow a low-fiber diet and limit dairy intake. However, new research indicates that this traditional approach may unnecessarily restrict your food choices. Again, it's important to track your own reactions to these foods and discuss with your healthcare team.
Drink plenty of fluids.
A myth exists that reducing fluid intake will lessen diarrhea in ulcerative colitis patients. Reducing fluid intake can leave you weak and exhausted because you're already losing water through diarrhea. Make sure you drink ample fluids to make up for the water you lose through diarrhea. It's okay to meet part of your fluid requirement with fruit juices or decaffeinated soft drinks, but try to drink as much water as possible.
Try smaller meals and snacks.
You may find that it's easier for you to meet all your nutritional needs, and possibly minimize your ulcerative colitis symptoms, by eating frequent small meals and snacks throughout the day.
Always talk with your healthcare team before making dietary changes, or if you have any concerns.
The above information has been excerpted from Better Nutrition For People With Ulcerative Colitis: How to Make Your Food Work for You, by Lauren Niemes, RD, Executive Director, Cincinnati Nutrition Council.
Important Safety Information
Asacol® (mesalamine) delayed-release tablets, available only by prescription, are indicated to treat mild to moderate flare-ups of ulcerative colitis and maintain remission of ulcerative colitis.Asacol is generally well tolerated. In studies of flare-ups, some people taking Asacol reported headache, abdominal pain, general pain, rash, upset stomach, and worsening of colitis symptoms. In a six month maintenance study, some people reported headache, runny nose, general pain, sore throat, infection, and nervousness.
You should not take Asacol if you are allergic to Asacol or to salicylates such as aspirin. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease. It is recommended that all people have their kidney function tested prior to starting Asacol tablets and periodically while on Asacol therapy. Serious side effects may occur. If you have questions about taking Asacol, please talk to your doctor.
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