Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that leads to an inflammation of the large intestine lining. This forms painful ulcers in the colon, accompanied by abdominal discomfort, gas, diarrhea/constipation, and appetite loss. Consuming the right food is imperative to help manage the condition and live a healthier life.

However, choosing the right diet plan for UC is about eliminating certain foods that are likely to aggravate the symptoms. No one diet plan suits everyone, but including certain foods, while excluding some food types seem to provide the desired results.

Foods to consume:

• Skinless chicken breast
  Saturated fats promote abdominal discomfort since they increase the chemical mediators of inflammation. Choose lean meats that are high in proteins and nutritional value. Prepare a soothing chicken vegetable soup to reduce inflammation and relax your GI tract. Turkey and fatty fishes are other exceptional choices to treat UC symptoms.
• Fermented foods
  These are foods like yogurt that are rich in active probiotics, the good bacteria that help in soothing the gut and promoting digestion. These foods, including fermented vegetables, reduce flares by a significant extent, and reduce symptoms.
• White rice with turmeric
  If bland food is your choice, consuming cooked white rice with turmeric is an excellent choice to treat ulcerative colitis. Turmeric has curcumin that has high medicinal value and can soothe the intestine’s lining to reduce UC flares.
• Olive oil and olives
  Fruits and leaves of the olive tree contain rich sources of antioxidants called biophenols. These compounds are proven to soothe inflammation and promote a healthy gut. Besides being good for UC, olives are excellent for maintaining your heart health.
• Salmon
  Lactose intolerance is common among individuals with UC. Salmon is an excellent choice to consume since it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help prevent UC flares and symptoms. They’re also excellent sources of protein that promote immune health.

Foods to avoid:

• Whole grain, bread, cereals, and pasta
  Whole grains are heavily loaded with fiber that makes digestion extremely difficult for people with UC. The germ or the barn is not removed from whole grains, and whole-grain foods like cereals, pasta, noodles, macaroni, and bread should be avoided. It’s advisable to choose refined grains enriched with white flour.
• Gluten foods
  Digestion is a common problem in people dealing with UC, and foods like wheat, rye, and barley have potent amounts of a protein called gluten. This protein can trigger symptoms of UC and are best avoided.
• Foods containing sulfur or sulfites
  This mineral produces excessive amounts of gas that only worsen UC symptoms and flares. Avoid consuming foods like wheat pasta, raisins, cured meats, beer, wine, almonds, and cider.
• Carbonated beverages
  Sodas, beers, and other similar beverages contain heavy carbonation doses that severely affect the GI tract. It leads to excessive gas production. Carbonated drinks also contain caffeine, sugar, and artificial sweeteners that can trigger UC symptoms.
• Spicy foods
  These foods cause diarrhea in people living with UC, and they also cause gas buildup and bloating. These foods can trigger a flare-up or worsen an existing one.