Nutritional care during ulcerative colitis is of paramount importance, because appetite depletion, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, stress, changes in taste and fatigue increase the risk of malnutrition.
Currently, there is no specific diet for ulcerative colitis that can be recommended to promote remission in active people, so it is important to help a nutritionist have the diet personalized, and that the diet plan be planned according to the severity of the disease. , if the patient is active, the symptoms present and the nutritional status of the individual.
- However.
- Some general recommendations can be followed to prevent malnutrition.
- Favoring the absorption of nutrients and the nutritional status of the individual.
The diet to control and prevent colitis seizure in a person, if the individual needs to identify which foods tend to slow digestion, cause abdominal pain and discomfort, diarrhea, tension or increased intestinal gas.
Therefore, it is important for the individual to improve their feeding diary, noting everything they consume during the day and if there are any dietary symptoms, this will allow them to identify within a few weeks which foods can cause discomfort and avoid.
It is important to note that colitis may vary depending on the time and food that irritates the intestine, also during a new crisis to resume the food diary in which the nutritionist can readjust the diet.
In case of ulcerative colitis, it is important to avoid foods that increase inflammation in the body and irritate the intestine, these are:
Using a food diary, it will be easier to identify foods that prevent symptoms; However, as mentioned above, they only irritate the intestine and cause symptoms that trigger the seizure.
It is also important to remember that some people with ulcerative colitis may experience lactose intolerance, in these cases avoiding dairy, as well as others may suffer from gluten intolerance, fructooligosaccharides or some food allergy, in these cases, it is ideal to help a nutritionist prevent the diet from being too restrictive of what it is, and could tell you several options and avoid malnutrition.
To help deflate the intestine, improve intestinal flora and prevent further seizures, it is necessary to perform daily various foods in small portions, chew food, eat calmly and cook food easily (without the use of seasonings) steamed or ironed, avoiding chips and sauces.
There is no scientific evidence to suggest a specific diet or foods to prevent the cure for colitis, it is important to remember that people may experience intolerances or allergies to certain foods, however, some general recommendations that can be followed:
Protein consumption is of paramount importance during this disease, so individuals lose muscle mass, during the active phase of the disease protein wedges should be increased, being recommended between 1. 2 and 1. 5 g per kilogram of weight. , protein intake should be normal at 1 g per kilogram of weight.
The proteins to be consumed must be low in fats such as fish, humans, chicken and meatless meats; for red meats, these can be lean cuts that have no visible fat and no more than 1 to 2 times per week.
Some people with ulcerative colitis may experience lactose intolerance, so the baby and its derivatives should be consumed and kept alert to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and gas after consumption, the severity of symptoms will depend on the degree of intolerance and I have to limit their consumption or consumption in many places and preferably lactose-free.
It is important that in these cases, calcium is obtained from other food sources, the doctor deems it necessary, through a supplement. See calcium-rich foods.
In people where this problem does not stop, they can consume dairy products in small portions, preferably low in fats. Yogurt and kefir are excellent choices because they provide probiotics that help improve intestinal flora and prevent diarrhea.
Fruits and vegetables in cases where colitis is active are recommended to consume without the head, without the bag, without the seeds and preferably cooked, to facilitate its absorption at the intestinal level and avoid overestimating the intestine. This is because fruits and vegetables contain fibers that stimulate bowel movement, so when ingested during the active phase when there is partial obstruction, they can worsen the associated symptoms.
Some vegetable plants can produce gases such as broccoli and hummingbird, for example, if they are to be avoided, of course it will depend on each person, to see food that produces gases.
To flavor the food, it is possible to use dehydrated herbs such as parsley, rosemary, coriander and basil, for example, as well as onion and garlic to season the food, avoiding the use of cubes, salt and pepper.
Eating good fats in small portions can also be beneficial in people with ulcerative colitis, due to the intake of essential fatty acids and omega-3s, which act as natural anti-inflammatory drugs in the body, fats that are accepted with extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, salmon, fish, sardines, linoleum oil. See other anti-inflammatory foods.
Because ulcerative colitis can cause diarrhea or in some cases it is important for both situations to consume liquids, preferably water, but it may also be possible to consume natural juices and diluted liquids in water.
In some cases, ulcerative colitis may worsen and lead to complications such as severe diarrhea and partial blockage of the entire intestine, in which case the person will be admitted to the hospital and given food through a tube. Learn more about enteral nutrition and what it is.
Carbohydrates are an important source of energy, so we consume foods such as white rice, pasta, white bread, oats, in order to avoid the consumption of these whole grains and contain insoluble fibers that may not be beneficial for people with ulcerative colitis.
Fiber can cause problems in some people with progressive hemorrhagic colitis, which causes abdominal pain and can cause diarrhea. Fiber is found in vegetables, fruits, nuts and cereals, and there are insoluble and insoluble types of fiber. In the case of ulcerative colitis, you should prefer soluble fibers, which could help improve gastrointestinal symptoms.
Soluble fiber is the one that dissolves in water and forms a kind of gel in the intestine, helping to decrease intestinal transit and in turn diarrhea. Some foods containing pears, peaches, carrots, apples, guava, green bananas, avocados and turnip. Leaves.
Most foods contain soluble and insoluble fiber, so they cook, remove and remove important seeds to reduce the consumption of insoluble fibers. It is important to note that when the disease is in remission, it should not be considered a high-fiber diet, so be careful with the foods consumed.
People with ulcerative colitis are more vulnerable to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, due to intestinal losses caused by diarrhea and lack of appetite that occurs mainly during the active phase. will be enough to correct deficiencies, mainly in hierarchy, zinc and vitamin D.
Therefore, it is important to supplement these micronutrients, as they must be indicated by a doctor or nutritionist, as it is necessary to quantify the levels of vitamins and minerals in the blood in order to indicate both and the appropriate supplements. values should be checked at least once a year.
Other supplements that might be indicated in case of mild or moderate ulcerative colitis in probiotics, which could be useful to help regulate intestinal flora, improve digestion, prevent diarrhea and reduce gas formation, always remembering that they need to be referred by a doctor.