Diet and food guidance for ulcerative colitis

Diet and food guidance for ulcerative colitis

Start with the myth-busting: no food causes ulcerative colitis, and no diet cures it. Diet has two honest jobs - reduce symptoms during flares, and protect nutrition across a chronic disease.

During a flare (gut-resting mode):

• Lower the fibre temporarily: white rice, refined flour items, khichdi, dal without skins, peeled cooked vegetables (lauki, pumpkin, potato, carrot), ripe banana, stewed apple
• Avoid during flares: raw salads, whole grains in quantity, skins and seeds, dried fruits, nuts in chunks, very spicy food, fried food, alcohol, and large amounts of milk if it worsens your motions (lactose intolerance commonly overlaps)
• Small frequent meals rather than large ones
• Hydration and salts: frequent diarrhoea loses fluid and electrolytes - ORS, coconut water, soups
• Caffeine often worsens urgency - cut strong tea and coffee during flares

In remission (normal mode):

• Return to a normal balanced diet - this is crucial. Many patients restrict themselves for years out of fear and end up and deficient. Fibre comes back, salads come back, variety comes back