Taking care of food during an attack of ulcerative colitis is of great importance, especially to control symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, taste disturbances and fatigue. In addition, proper nutrition also reduces the risk of malnutrition.
Since there is no specific diet for cases of ulcerative colitis, which may be recommended for everyone with the disease, ideally, those with this disorder should consult a nutritionist to adapt their diet to their specific case, which varies depending on the severity, level of disease activity and symptoms presented.
- However.
- Some general recommendations can be followed to avoid a case of malnutrition.
- Favoring nutrient absorption and good nutritional status.
The diet to control colitis attacks varies for each person, being necessary to observe which foods tend to worsen digestion, cause pain, diarrhea, constipation or increase intestinal gases.
To do this, the best way to identify foods to eat or avoid is to keep a food diary, in which all the food consumed and the symptoms that are felt after meals are recorded. This diary can be written on a specific calendar or on the mobile phone, and after a few weeks it will be possible to identify the best diet individually.
In addition, it is important to remember that colitis can vary over time, changing the foods that most irritate the intestine for the same person. So, when we see new crises, it’s important to go back to the diet diary to readjust the diet. Find out how colitis is treated.
In an ulcerative colitis diet, foods that increase inflammation in the body and irritate the intestine should be avoided, such as:
With the help of the food diary, it’s easier to identify which foods aggravate symptoms, but the foods mentioned above usually aggravate symptoms or trigger seizures.
People with ulcerative colitis can also often experience lactose intolerance and, in these cases, avoid dairy use. Other people may experience gluten intolerance, fructooligosaccharides or have another food allergy. In these cases it is ideal to consult a nutritionist to prevent the diet from being too restrictive, but at the same time avoid the causes of allergy.
To help deflate the intestine, improve intestinal flora and prevent further attacks, it is advisable to eat several times a day, in small portions, chew food very well, eat in a quiet place and cook food easily (without too many seasonings) steamed, avoiding frying and sauces.
There is no scientific evidence to suggest a single diet or specific foods to prevent or cure colitis, however, some recommendations may be followed:
Protein intake is very important for those with this disease, as it is common for a person to lose muscle mass due to poor absorption of nutrients. Thus, during an attack of colitis, it is important to increase the amount of protein ingested, and it is recommended to ingest from 1.2 to 1.5 g for each kilogram of weight.
Protein should be low in fat and therefore ideally focus on skinless fish, eggs, chicken and turkey. In the case of red meats, leaner cuts, which do not contain visible fat, should be consumed only once or twice a week.
Milk and its derivatives, such as yogurt or cheese, may be consumed by people with ulcerative colitis, however, as some people may also have lactose intolerance, it is important to be aware of symptoms that may indicate this intolerance, such as abdominal augmentation. pain, stomach swelling or diarrhea after eating, for example. If this happens, try removing these foods from your diet and try to identify any improvements in your symptoms. Another option is to opt for lactose-free foods.
If milk needs to be removed from the diet, it is important to eat calcium from other sources such as almond or flaxseed, for example. See a more complete list of calcium-rich foods.
For people who have no problem with eating milk and dairy products, it is ideal to consume in small portions and favor products with lower fat concentrations. Yogurt or kefir are excellent options, for example, as they also contain large amounts of probiotics that enhance the intestinal flora.
Although healthy, fruits and vegetables should be consumed without shell, bagasse and seeds, especially during seizures of colitis. In addition, they should also be cooked, to facilitate their absorption at the intestinal level and avoid excessive intestinal stimuli. Because they contain large amounts of fiber, fruits and vegetables can greatly stimulate stool, which can eventually worsen pain and other symptoms that occur during seizures.
Some vegetables that should be avoided in some way include broccoli and cauliflower because they increase intestinal gas production, contributing to discomfort. See other examples of foods that produce a lot of gases and should be avoided.
To flavor food, dehydrated herbs such as parsley, rosemary, coriander or basil, as well as onion and garlic, should be preferred, thus avoiding the use of diced seasonings, salt or pepper.
Consuming good fats in small amounts may also have benefits for people with ulcerative colitis, as the increase in essential fatty acids and omega 3 acts as a natural anti-inflammatory in the body. These fats are mainly extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, salmon, trout, sardines and flaxseed oil. Discover other anti-inflammatory foods.
Ulcerative colitis can cause diarrhea and, in some cases, constipation. In both cases, it is very important to increase the amount of water ingested, to maintain adequate hydration. However, other options such as natural filtered juices or teas can also be used, for example.
Carbohydrates are an important source of energy and therefore it is recommended to consume foods rich in this nutrient, such as white rice, white bread or potatoes, avoiding the consumption of their entire forms, since they contain a lot of concentration of fiber that can end up worsening the symptoms of colitis.
Fiber can cause problems in some people with active ulcerative colitis, causing abdominal pain and can worsen diarrhea. Fiber is found in vegetables, fruits, nuts and cereals, and there are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. In the case of ulcerative colitis, soluble fiber should be preferred, as it may help improve gastrointestinal symptoms.
Soluble fibers dissolve in water and form a kind of gel in the gut, helping to reduce intestinal transit and therefore diarrhea. Some foods that contain this type of fiber include pear, carrot, apple, guava, green banana, avocado and turnip.
Most foods contain soluble and insoluble fiber, so cooking, removing the shell and removing the seeds helps reduce the amount of insoluble fiber. It is important to remember that when the person is in crisis, with active ulcerative colitis, he should not ingest any fiber in large quantities, as this can aggravate symptoms.
During the treatment of colitis, probiotic supplements can help regulate intestinal flora, improve digestion, prevent diarrhea and constipation and reduce gas formation.
Another supplement that can be used are omega-3 capsules, which help reduce inflammation in the body and improve the immune system. However, it is important to remember that any dietary supplement should be prescribed by the doctor or nutritionist.