Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that damages the digestive tract by inflaming it and creating ulcers (sores). Your colon and rectum’s innermost lining are both impacted by ulcerative colitis. It is one of two major inflammatory bowel illnesses, another being Crohn’s disease. Colitis symptoms may include rectal pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and others. Insoluble fiber, lactose, and sugars are all known to aggravate ulcerative colitis symptoms. Foods you should avoid for colitis include:
1. Butter and margarine spreads
People with UC often have problems digesting lactose, a type of milk sugar. The majority of milk products contain a variety of sugar called lactose. Remove all forms of dairy from your diet for at least four weeks if you have reason to believe that dairy may be a factor in bringing on your symptoms. This includes butter, milk, yogurt, and cheese. Collaborate with your physician or dietitian to learn how to pursue an elimination diet. This will help you determine which foods cause or exacerbate your symptoms and remove them from your diet.
2. Carbonated beverages
Carbonic acid, found in all carbonated drinks, is known to irritate the digestive tract. Stay away from alcoholic beverages and carbonated non-alcoholic beverages, many of which also contain caffeine. Drink mostly water, herbal tea, and fruit-flavored water instead of anything else. Studies have shown that drinking soft drinks makes UC symptoms worse. Trying to cut down on how much you drink soft drinks can help you deal with your condition.
3. Corn
Both maize and mushrooms are among the foods that are the most difficult to digest. Even though you have to chew maize kernels like you would any other food, they often pass through your system in a pretty intact form. This may result in irritability as well as diarrhea. During episodes of a flare-up, those with UC should try to avoid them.
4. Coffee or caffeine
In a cup of coffee, you’ll find caffeine, polyphenols, which are suitable antioxidant plant compounds, and acids such as chlorogenic acid. The drink might make your stomach produce more acid, give you heartburn, go to the bathroom more often, and change your gut microbiome, a group of microorganisms that live in your gut. Caffeinated beverages have the potential to take you to the bathroom more frequently than you would like.
Some of these impacts might clarify why research shows that drinking coffee might keep you from getting UC and why it might make your symptoms worse if you already have it.
5. Animal sourced dairy
Some persons with ulcerative colitis find that drinking milk makes their symptoms worse. They might want to experiment with several other kinds of milk, like oat or soy. On the other hand, people who prefer not to consume milk products need to ensure they obtain adequate calcium in their diet.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease typically have to limit their consumption of milk products, which may be necessary owing to the existence of gastrointestinal symptoms or the condition’s progression.
Living with ulcerative colitis can be challenging, but some approaches can make day-to-day activities simpler and more pleasurable. You will be well on your way to a higher quality of life if you steer clear of the things on this list and make it a point to experiment with different foods and drinks in the convenience of your own home.
