Digestive Health Inflammatory Bowel Disease Ulcerative Colitis Eating an Ulcerative Colitis Diet By Rebeca Schiller Rebeca Schiller Rebeca Schiller is a health and wellness writer with over a decade of experience covering topics including digestive health, pain management, and holistic nutrition. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 02, 2023 Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH LinkedIn Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Aims and Principle Foods to Eat Foods to Avoid Other Tips Diet and the foods you eat are important components of managing ulcerative colitis (UC). On the one hand, certain foods can make UC symptoms worse, including sugary, fried, greasy, and high-fiber foods. On the other hand, a low-residue diet comprised of lean proteins, refined grains, and starchy vegetables may help ease or alleviate UC-related abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea. This article provides you with a general framework for managing ulcerative colitis with diet, including the list of foods you can eat and those you should avoid. Verywell / Jessica Olah Aims and Principles of a Colitis Diet Ulcerative colitis is one form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) alongside Crohn's disease (CD). It is typically more severe than CD, causing inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum when the disease is active. Abdominal pain, cramping, and blood mixed with diarrhea (hematochezia) are hallmarks of the disease, along with fatigue and weight loss. Diet can help manage UC by putting less stress on the colon. This typically involves a low-residue diet comprised of foods that don't leave undigested grit in stools. By eating low-residue foods, there is less chance that stools will scrape against open sores and cause pain and bleeding. Another part of the dietary strategy is to eat foods that are binding. These are foods low in fiber that help ease diarrhea by making stools firmer. They include refined grains and soft fruits high in pectin (a natural gelatin-like substance). An example of this is the BRAT diet composed of bread, white rice, applesauce, and toast. Among the foods to avoid are those that can irritate already-inflamed tissues and ulcers, such as spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, and foods high in saturated or trans fat (both of which trigger inflammation). Sugary foods should be avoided as they can alter the balance of harmful/helpful bacteria in the gut and make UC symptoms worse. While dairy doesn't usually make UC worse (and can often be helpful), many people with UC are lactose-intolerant and lack the enzymes needed to break down this form of sugar. In such cases, dairy may need to be replaced with non-dairy substitutes like almond milk or oatmeal yogurt. By adhering to these general principles, you may be better able to manage UC flare-ups and possibly reduce the frequency of flare-ups when combined with the appropriate UC medications. Ulcerative Colitis Doctor Discussion Guide Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Foods to Eat If You Have Ulcerative Colitis When experiencing a UC flare-up, the best foods to eat are those that provide sufficient nutrients without worsening your symptoms. Speak with your healthcare provider or a nutritionist to help you find the foods that best meet these needs. Low-fiber fruits are an ideal part of a UC diet and include: ApplesauceApricots (ideally skinned)BananasCantaloupesCooked or canned fruitFruit juices without pulpHoneydew melonsNectarines (ideally skinned)PapayasPeaches (ideally skinned)Plums (ideally skinned)Watermelon (seeded) Vegetables that are low in fiber and residue include: Beets (cooked)Canned vegetables (without seeds or skins)Carrots (cooked)Cucumber (peeled and without seeds)Potatoes (without skins)Spinach (pureed)Squashes (like butternut and acorn squash)String beans (well-cooked)Tomato saucesVegetable juice (strained) Lean protein is also ideal whether you have active UC symptoms or not. These include plant- and meat-based proteins like: Canned tuna (packed in water)Cottage cheese (low-fat)Eggs (not fried)Fish (skinless)HummusPeanut butter powderPork (lean and trimmed)Poultry (without skin)SeitanTofuYogurt (plain) Refined grains that are suitable for UC flare-ups include: CornflakesCream of wheatFarinaGritsMelba toastOatmealPasta and noodlesPuffed rice cerealSaltines and other plain crackersWhite breadWhite rice How to Eat During an IBD Flare-Up Foods to Avoid If You Have Ulcerative Colitis During a flare-up, it's best to avoid foods that either create residue, are gassy, or can irritate the bowel. These include sugary, fatty, or processed foods, all of which are inflammatory and affect normal bowel function. The list is extensive and includes: AlcoholBaked goods, like cakes, muffins, and browniesCandies and chocolateCoffee and other caffeinated beveragesDairy (if lactose intolerant)Dried beans and legumesDried fruitsFast foodFried foodsFatty cuts of meatGassy cruciferous vegetables, like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflowerNuts and seedsProcessed meats, like bacon and sausagesRaw fruits with seeds or skins, like berries and unpeeled applesRaw vegetablesSodas and other carbonated beveragesSugary drinks, including high-sugar fruit juiceSpicy foods, like curries and chiliWhole grains, like brown rice, quinoa, and wild riceWhole-grain products, like whole-grain bread, pasta, and cereal What Is an IBD Flare-Up? Other Tips In addition to choosing the right foods, there are other simple tips that can help guide your eating habits if you have UC: Eat four to six smaller meals each day rather than two to three big meals.Chew your food until it is well-pulverized, and avoid gulping.Keep track of your daily food intake with a food journal. There are apps to help you calculate calories and nutrients so that you meet your daily nutritional needs.Rather than frying, used cooking techniques like broiling, steaming, and poaching.Keep well hydrated with plain water if you experience diarrhea.Avoid drinking through straws which can cause bloating and gas as you swallow air. Diet and UC Remission During UC remission, speak with your nutritionist about foods to reintroduce back into your diet, such as high-fiber foods that are not only heart-healthy but also help you maintain normal bowel movements. The Risks of Untreated Ulcerative Colitis 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? Keshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA. Diet in the pathogenesis and management of ulcerative colitis; a review of randomized controlled dietary interventions. Nutrients. 2019 Jul;11(7):1498. doi:10.3390/nu11071498 Rosa R, Ornelia R, Caruso Maria G, et al. The role of diet in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. Acta Biomed. 2018;89(Suppl 9):60–75. doi:10.23750/abm.v89i9-S.7952 Asfari MM, Sarmini MT, Kendrick K, et al. Association between inflammatory bowel disease and lactose intolerance: fact or fiction. Korean J Gastroenterol. 2020 Oct 25;76(4):185-90. doi:10.4166/kjg.2020.76.4.185 Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. What should I eat? Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Managing ulcerative colitis flare-ups. By Rebeca Schiller Rebeca Schiller is a health and wellness writer with over a decade of experience covering topics including digestive health, pain management, and holistic nutrition. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit