Ulcerative Colitis Diet - 14 Foods To Eat

Are you struggling with abdominal pain, diarrhea, or rectal bleeding? If so, you, like millions of other people around the world, might have ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disorder of the colon that causes your body's immune cells to attack healthy tissue. It can affect almost anyone, from the very young to the very old. That means its impact on the health systems of the world can't be understated. In fact, gastroenterologists perform thousands of major surgeries each year to treat this terrible disease.

Thankfully, long-time sufferers of the disease have found some incredible superfoods that give these brave warriors a fighting chance in the battle against ulcerative colitis. You can read on to discover fourteen of the very best of them.

1. Spinach

Spinach is an amazing little plant. Each leaf or sprig you eat provides you with a hearty dose of iron and other micronutrients. That iron goes directly toward replacing all the iron you lose from internal bleeding. In addition to all of those health benefits, spinach tastes amazing and makes for a perfect complement to almost any meal.

2. Greek Yogurt

Fermented foods like Greek yogurt are an excellent tool in your arsenal. One of the theorized causes of ulcerative colitis is a misalignment of bacteria in your gut. That's why taking in healthy probiotics, also called good bacteria, that thrive in Greek yogurt can make a big difference in your quality of life. Doctors recommend that patients on antibiotics eat a bowl of yogurt a day. The same is true for those with ulcerative colitis!

3. Zucchini

Zucchini is a type of squash. Its vibrant green color makes it stand out in the grocery aisle. Zucchini is packed to the brim with healthy vitamins like folate, potassium and vitamin A. Not only that, but it's easy on your gut. That makes it an essential source of nutrition for ulcerative colitis sufferers. Besides, zucchini goes nicely in summer broths and stews, and it's a squash that's easy to find in most places!

4. Soy Substitutes

It's unfortunate, but meat isn't usually a great option for people struggling with ulcerative colitis. Many of them report that it causes them significant distress and discomfort. If that isn't true for you, then great! Eat as much meat as you like. If it is, you might want to try soy substitutes. They're packed with nutritious and filling protein, and they're most often made without chemicals or preservatives.

5. Catfish

Catfish and other types of fish are a source of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids are theorized to play a role in warding away ulcerative colitis. Research continues to look into these vital compounds. It may be that their use becomes more and more frequent for bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis.

Catfish meat is also an excellent and all-natural source of vitamin D. Unfortunately, many people with ulcerative colitis don't get enough vitamin D from normal sources. Catfish easily fills that gap for these long-time sufferers!

6. Applesauce

Applesauce might seem like a food meant for kids, but it's actually great for those who have digestion problems. It's quite easy to eat and digest. Naturally, it also comes complete with all of the vitamins and minerals an ordinary apple has.

If all you do is have a bowl of applesauce for breakfast each day, along with whatever else you ordinarily eat, you'll have taken an important step towards getting your ulcerative colitis under control.

7. Lots of Water

It's vitally important that anyone with ulcerative colitis drinks lots and lots of water. That water keeps them hydrated and keeps their body running.

When you have ulcerative colitis, you usually have accompanying diarrhea. That diarrhea means a constant loss of fluids. That's a big problem. Those are the same fluids that your body desperately needs to heal! To keep feeling great, try to drink at least six glasses of water a day.

If you start noticing yourself getting thirsty, then make sure to drink some water immediately. Some terrible things can happen if you don't keep hydrated, like headaches and confusion.

8. Acai Juice

Acai juice is an all-natural drink made from a popular superfood that has a sweet and zesty flavor. This juice comes from the acai berry, a tropical species of plant that grows in South America. These berries don't play around when it comes to nutrition. They provide all kinds of essential vitamins and minerals. The best part? When you drink acai juice, you're not just eating one berry. You're eating dozens! All of those berries are distilled down into their purest and most nutritional form. That's great news for anyone with ulcerative colitis.

9. Gluten-Free Carbohydrates

With ulcerative colitis, carbohydrates like pasta and rice can cause big issues. There are many reports of sufferers eating these foods and enduring a long bout of indigestion afterward. Though ulcerative colitis isn't related to celiac disease, avoiding gluten can make a big difference in how you feel. That's why cutting out gluten from your diet is a very reasonable step to take. There are plenty of replacement options available for just about any grain on the market. Why not give it a try?

10. Bananas

Bananas are widely known for being easy to digest. Of course, everyone also knows that they're full of potassium, one of the most vital minerals out there. That's a fantastic combination for those with ulcerative colitis. Even better, bananas often play a role in preventing diarrhea. Eat a banana a day, and you'll feel a whole lot better.

11. Strawberries

Did you know that strawberries can help with ulcerative colitis? Just eating a few of these simple snacks a day can make a huge difference inside your colon. If you can find a seedless variety, that's even better. As any dessert lover knows, strawberries are delicious treats, too!

12. Eggs

Since meat isn't on the menu for most colitis sufferers, they need more options. Eggs aren't just one of the most affordable sources of protein. They also have essential omega-3 acids and a host of other nutrients. It's important to cook your eggs thoroughly if you have ulcerative colitis or any other bowel disease. Food poisoning can be a lot worse for those with preexisting conditions.

As long as eggs are cooked all the way through, they're completely safe to eat with ulcerative colitis! If you get a craving, don't hesitate. Crack open an egg on your pan and get to eating.

13. Chickens

Like the eggs they lay, chickens are great if you have ulcerative colitis. Unlike traditional red meat, chicken meat is far easier to digest. Easy digestion is key when it comes to inflammatory bowel disease. Chicken meat has plenty of protein for your body's needs, and it has a lower calorie count, too. If you want to both lose weight and keep your disease in check, chicken meat might be the right choice for you.

14. Guacamole and Avocados

Guacamole is healthy for just about anyone to eat. This simple dip goes great on chips, bread or tortillas. The fiber from guacamole will provide your body with the ammunition it needs to keep its digestive tract in check. In addition to the fiber, guacamole contains vitamin K, vitamin E, beta-carotene and many more micronutrients. Since those with this disease often struggle with taking in the nutrients they need, superfoods like guacamole can help bridge the gap and get them feeling happy and healthy again.

Why Go on a Diet With Ulcerative Colitis?

There are all kinds of foods available to help those struggling with ulcerative colitis. The ones listed in this article are just a starting point. These foods are a vital part of any strategy that aims to seriously treat and tackle the disease. Combined with advice from your doctor, you can work these foods into your diet and see results within weeks.

For optimum results, don't forget that some dangerous foods need to be cut out of the diet. That's the only way to ensure that these superfoods can have the best effect.

Sometimes that can be hard to do, so if you have any questions, be sure to consult a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. Once you have your perfect plan, rebuild your diet with ulcerative colitis and you'll rebuild your body, too!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.