In addition to avoiding certain foods, it’s important to get the nutrients you need during an ulcerative colitis flare.
If you have ulcerative colitis (UC), you may know which foods to avoid. For example, this usually includes temporarily limiting foods high in fiber, which can be hard on a sensitive gut.
But figuring out what to add to your diet is equally important, because the right foods will provide you with key nutrients without aggravating your symptoms. Remember that it’s wise to contact your healthcare provider before making any drastic changes to your diet. Know, too, that what works for one person may not work for everyone with UC.
“It’s important for people with ulcerative colitis to work with a registered dietitian-nutritionist to develop an individualized meal plan,” says Shannon Szeles, RDN, owner of PostGlo Nutrition & Wellness in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. “This can help provide specific calorie and nutrient goals [because] all bodies tolerate foods differently.”
Consider eating these eight foods during a UC flare.
1. Applesauce
Because your gastrointestinal system is irritated during a flare, you may want to stick with soft, easily digestible foods, such as applesauce.
Be sure to choose one without added sugar, though, because added sugar can trigger UC symptoms. You can also make your own sugar-free applesauce by cooking peeled, sliced apples with some water and then pureeing the mixture.
2. Ripe Bananas and Canned Fruits
Although dietitians generally recommend avoiding raw fruits during a flare, you may find that you can tolerate very ripe, soft bananas. Bananas are also a good source of carbohydrates, which provide energy.
Also, fruit canned in their own juice, such as pears or peaches, may not be irritating, says Szeles.
3. Cooked Vegetables
Soft, cooked veggies such as carrots and spinach are not only gentle on the gut, but they can also provide important nutrients, such as vitamins A and K. Just make sure the vegetables are cooked until they can be mashed with a fork, Szeles says, so that any potentially irritating fiber is broken down.
4. Yogurt
If you can tolerate lactose, unsweetened yogurt can provide you with some protein and probiotics, which are live bacteria that may help the digestive system. Be sure to buy yogurt that says “live and active cultures” on the label, Szeles says.
Avoid yogurt that contains large chunks of fruit, which could be hard to digest. “It’s fine if yogurt has fruit that’s soft, seedless, and blended in,” Szeles says.
5. Salmon
It’s important to include protein in your diet that doesn’t come from red or processed meat to limit intestinal inflammation, which makes salmon a gut-friendly pick. In addition to being a great source of protein, salmon has healthy omega-3 fatty acids that may help reduce inflammation. If you don’t like salmon, you can eat tuna or other fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Neilanjan Nandi, MD, a gastroenterologist and an associate professor of gastroenterology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, recommends baking, broiling, or sautéing salmon rather than frying it. “Frying fish causes it to lose a lot of its nutritional value,” he says.
6. Nut Butters
Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, and other nut butters are another gut-friendly source of protein and healthy fats. Choose creamy peanut butter instead of chunky to avoid having to digest difficult nut pieces, which could cause further irritation during a flare.
Try eating peanut butter on white bread, Dr. Nandi says, or spread it on a tortilla. Another good choice is nut butter on low-fiber crackers, such as saltines.
7. White Rice and Turmeric
If you can’t tolerate most foods during a UC flare, you may want to stick with bland choices, such as cooked white rice. If you want to add flavor, try sprinkling it with turmeric, a yellow-orange spice whose key ingredient is curcumin. Some research suggests curcumin may be beneficial for UC, though more studies are needed to confirm this.
Turmeric is widely used in India, where the incidence of IBD is lower than in the global population, says Arun Swaminath, MD, the chief of gastroenterology and the director of the inflammatory bowel diseases program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
8. Water, Sports Drinks, and Fruit Juice
When diarrhea accompanies a UC flare, you can lose a lot of fluids that you must replenish.
Sports drinks combined with water in a 1:1 ratio can help replace lost carbohydrates and electrolytes, Nandi says. No-pulp fruit juice is also an option, Szeles says, but avoid prune juice because of its high fiber content.
Foods such as applesauce, cooked vegetables, and white rice may be gentle on your digestive system during an ulcerative colitis flare, whereas raw fruits and veggies and foods high in fiber may irritate the gut.
Staying hydrated is important, especially if you’re experiencing diarrhea.
Diets are not one-size-fits-all. Contact your doctor or dietitian to help you decide on a nutrition plan that meets your needs.
