Top 6 Foods for People with Ulcerative Colitis
A healthy diet is an important part for managing ulcerative colitis. Here are some foods that people with this inflammatory bowel disease should eat.
1) Plain yogurt
A good source of beneficial bacteria is plain yogurt. Plain yogurt has probiotics that are good for the intestinal flora that can help maintain great gastrointestinal health. When bad bacteria outnumber the good bacteria in the gut it can cause a lot of bad stuff including bad digestion. Even if you have ulcerative colitis you still can consume dairy products as long as it would not cause gas or diarrhea. A glass of milk each day generally would not cause an upset stomach unless you are lactose intolerant. Replace regular milk with soy milk if the stomach becomes upset.
2) Egg yolks
Egg yolks are packed with iron. Egg yolks are easier on the stomach than other dietary sources of iron. Iron is important because often ulcerative colitis can wear the sufferer out. One of the reasons of chronic fatigue is anemia. The anemia could be caused by the bleeding or the bloody diarrhea. In order to bring the red blood count back to normal levels it is great to get ample amounts of iron. Egg yolks are less adverse but provide ample supply of iron that can help reverse the anemia.
3) Water
Water is important to keep the body from getting dehydrated. Dehydration is common for people that are suffering from ulcerative colitis. When the body is dehydrated the colon gets less efficient in absorbing the salts which can make the body feeling weak and could lead to serious health issues that may include sudden death. You can also use some UC-friendly smoothies as a replacement for solid food if you are unable to tolerate eating real food and only meal replacement drinks can replenish your nutrition needs.
4) Soft bland starches
Soft bland starches like mashed potatoes can be beneficial for people suffering from ulcerative colitis. If you are not into potatoes you can replace it with soft-bland whole-grain foods like brown rice, whole-grain noodles and even mashed vegetables. Soft foods need no further digestion that could make the ulcerative colitis worse. The inability of the stomach to digest hard foods and even high-fiber food can cause discomfort and can even lead to anxiety symptoms. A word of caution when choosing foods to eat if you have ulcerative colitis, never eat foods that are spicy since it could inflame the intestines and cause a bum stomach.
5) Turkey
Turkey is helpful because it is easily digested and rich in protein. The inflammation can zap the body’s protein reserves and cause a protein deficiency. It can cause slower wound healing and even result to lower muscle mass. Protein is essential to help the body repair itself. It is also important in regenerating cells and in boosting the immune system. You can replace turkey with other lean meat such as chicken breasts and lean beef.
6) Vegetables
Vegetables are important sources of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants that can help the body strengthen it against injuries and hasten the healing process. If vegetables will worsen the gas and diarrhea it is best to remove the peels, stew it to remove the hard to digest parts which can result to an upset stomach. Just keep the choices among low-fiber vegetables until your condition has been put under control.
Ulcerative colitis can be a life changer but you can live a beautiful life even if you suffer from this condition. Minor lifestyle changes should be in order to avoid a bum stomach. Knowing which foods to eat will help you overcome the challenge of this disease and in no time you will be able to go beyond and live a life that is full of promises.