5 Foods to Avoid With Ulcerative Colitis

5 Foods to Avoid With Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disorder that can lead to life-threatening complications. The disease, which affects nearly 1 million people in the United States alone, is characterized by the development of ulcers in the colon. These ulcers usually develop with time, making UC hard to diagnose. As the disease progresses, the patient experiences symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.

Minimizing triggers that lead to such symptoms is the only way to treat UC. This is why doctors advise patients suffering from UC to avoid certain foods, as they compound problems. Read on to know the worst foods for UC patients.

1. Nuts
Nuts like walnuts, almonds, and cashews are a good source of fiber. It lowers cholesterol levels, reduces weight, and helps you live longer. However, patients with UC are advised to avoid consuming fiber, as the nutrient is hard to digest. Eating nuts puts pressure on the digestive system, which may cause a flare-up in the colon.

2. Seeds
Like nuts, seeds are healthy for everyone except patients with UC. Nuts are a type of insoluble fiber, which is more difficult to digest than soluble fiber. In patients with UC, insoluble fiber can trigger digestive flare-ups and also cause bloating, diarrhea, and gas. The only way to avoid such problems is to stop the consumption of all types of seeds, including sesame seeds, flax seeds, millet, sunflower seeds, and wild rice.

3. Foods rich in gluten
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and foods such as bread, pasta, and pizza. Gluten has no essential nutrients in it, so it is almost useless for the body. It is also known to trigger inflammation and damage the intestinal tracts, which is something that patients with UC cannot afford. Hence, it is best to avoid gluten-containing grains, cereals, and baked goods if you have UC.

4. Fibrous vegetables
We all know how healthy leafy green vegetables are for your body. However, these vegetables are also high in fiber. We’ve already mentioned earlier that fiber is hard to digest for those with UC. Therefore, these foods are among the other worst foods that should be avoided by patients with UC unless the vegetables are skinned or peeled, have no seeds, or cooked well. Also, it is best to avoid all raw or undercooked vegetables, including corn.

5. Foods that include sulfites
Just like other foods on this list, foods rich in sulfites are generally needed by your body. Patients with UC have an unhealthy digestive tract, making it difficult for certain foods to pass through without causing problems. Foods that contain high levels of sulfites belong to this category. Such foods also feed certain bacteria, which produce toxic H2S gas. This gas aggravates symptoms and makes UC worse over time. Therefore, it is best to avoid sulfites-rich foods like cured meat, beer, wine, raisins, and breads.