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Is vegan/vegetarian diet possible with UC?

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Posted 9/30/2016 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys, I am curious if anyone with UC or Crohns is vegan or vegetarian. I have only had UC for about 6 months and it is currrently under control. I have read lots of contradicting things about diet with UC, some people say a low fiber diet is important but others say cutting out animal products has put them in remission...? I don't personally believe that diet can cure this disease but I am aware different foods can aggravate or ease the symptoms. For example when I was recovering from my flare I noticed that high fibre foods like vegetables and also spicy things affected me the next day when they never used to. A lot of the foods that I felt comfortable eating contained meat and dairy. It is because of this that I wonder how UCers manage to have vegan and vegetarian diets as these seem to contain lots of fiber. At the moment it seems that I can tolerate all foods so I have been considering going vegetarian (because of the ethical reasons), however I am concerned that if I have another flare then I won't be able to tolerate a vegetarian diet very well.

So does anyone with IBD have a vegetarian or vegan diet? If so how does it affect your symptoms? Do you eat the same foods when in a flare?
Posted 9/30/2016 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
i was a 15 yr vegan when i was given the gift of UC as some kind of reward -

to be honest, there is no one that can tell you whether or not any treatment will work for your body - diets are no different than meds -

only way to know is to try - my only advice would be to keep it simple and avoid any processed foods -

btw, my body does fantastic with fiber :-)
Posted 9/30/2016 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
"I have read lots of contradicting things about diet with UC, some people say a low fiber diet is important but others say cutting out animal products has put them in remission...? " That's ulcerative colitis summed up neartly within a nutshell. There's no single medication, diet, or alternative treatment that works universally for everyone with uc across the board. Instead what works for an individual patient is highly variable. One's individual miracle treatment may not work at all for another, or may make another's symptoms much, much worse. So, you're going to find lots of contracting information out there (my miracle, did nothing, or my nightmare all for the same treatment).

What to do? Try it for yourself and see if it works for you because that's what matters most, isn't it? Vegetarian diet might be harder for an IBD patient as we might have trouble maintaining a stable weight, and have trouble maintaining certain nutrients within our bodies. Iron and protein are a couple examples, bigger challenges for vegetarians (easily attainable and digestible through meats). The additional roughage/fiber can be more difficult on the IBD patient (sometimes uncooked greens and the high fiber content disagrees with us). Just a few things to be aware of.

Try things with an open mind but always maintain a healthy skepticism. As your results matter most, not the words on a pretty marketing sheet or words on any glowing internet testimony. There's many possible solutions that won't work for you, and only a few that actually do work for you. Weeding them out takes time, patience, and dedication. Luckily, we have a lifetime to figure our uc out.
Posted 9/30/2016 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
I was vegan before and during my first major flare. I quickly went back to vegetarian because I lost so much weight. Though in actuality you can get all the iron and protein from plant based foods. Tempeh and tofu in small portions with well cooked vegetables is completely doable. Go easy on grains. I returned to eating humanely raised non GMO- fed chicken eggs. I eat small portions of any protein at a time, my rule is 2-parts veggies to 1 part protein. Unfortunately I still have to cook my veggies as my colon objects to raw but I can juice no problem. I chose to be non meat for ethical and religious reasons, but if that's all I had to eat I would eat it. Gasp.
Posted 10/1/2016 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
I was a vegetarian when I got UC and while flaring (which lasted 10 years, no remission) it was necessary to eat meat because it was easy to digest and had its of good vitamins. Red meat may be inflammatory but my gut just loved it.

Now that I reached remission using diet modification I "might" be able to be a vegetarian again but don't wanna rock the remission boat. I have cut down meat to 4 oz. a day and once a week vegetarian. Chicken, in all it's many ways including chicken broth, is so beneficial I don't think it should be removed.

My gut hates fiber so many "healthy" veggies like broccoli and kale are out but there are many veggies left such as green beans, carrots, spinach, salad greens. I also like to juice veggies, make veggie cubes for the freezer and then have a couple melted in the AM with breakfast. My nails and hair grow faster so I know it is good for my gut too.
Posted 10/1/2016 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
I was vegan when I developed UC. Went gluten free after diagnosis and lost so much weight I added poultry, eggs, and fish back to my diet as well as Scd yogurt and dairy kefir. I don't eat much yogurt anymore, it does seem to bother me sometimes, but I eat vegetarian 3-5 days a week. I eat beans pretty much daily and don't have issues at all. Brown rice is iffy, as are a lot of raw veggies.
Posted 10/2/2016 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
I'm a vegan (except for the ibd drugs), didn't start until after diagnosis going on maybe 4-5 years now. No problems with any foods during a flare with the exception of spicy foods (habaneros/serrano/jalapenos etc.). I have fruit and veggies every day. The assertion that vegetarians/vegans are not easily able to obtain necessary RDA of essential nutrients is a common fallacy. Be mindful of what you're ingesting if you're looking to transition to veganism/vegetarianism, even more so since you have IBD.
Posted 10/2/2016 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
just had 2 questions there ITIS >

what meds have you used since 2007 ?

why did you become a vegan ?
Posted 10/2/2016 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Sure thing soynomore

1) 5-asa class, imuran, vsl 3, and now entyvio (+coupled with the occasional rescue steroid when I have had to move between maintenance meds)

2) I notice my body has a quicker turnaround time and I can beat on it more (with reference to athletics) now than I could when I consumed meat and dairy products. After going plant-based I noticed it substantially diminished my instances of bursitis and/or tendonitis. I'd love to say I went vegan for some selfless save the world/carbon footprint rationale but I in fact made the transition for positive health. A lot of literature out there about the health implications of living plant-based.
Posted 10/2/2016 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
so would you say your diet has had a positive, negative, or equivocal effect on your UC -

interesting to note that in this short thread you have one vegetarian and 3 vegans who developed UC -
Posted 10/2/2016 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
Interesting to read through. I've had a tough time figuring it out myself. I've actually gone back to eating so.e turkey/chicken when I'm flaring because I don't know what else to eat. When I'm flaring it seems like there's like 5 things I can eat and anything else makes me miserable. When I'm not, eating vegetarian certainly doesn't send me into a flare.

I worry about all the carrageenan and to soy/vegetarian junk I ingested before I knew better about how to make good vegetarian choices.
Posted 10/2/2016 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Soy- I would say positive but I have no way to quantify that statement. What I can say is that the severity of my flares has greatly diminished when compared to the severity of uc flares pre-veganism. Whether that's the diet to promote, or the natural progression of this unpredictable disease is hard to say. For sure in my case it has had positive impact in terms of athletic performance (anti-inflammatory properties) and recovery time.
Posted 10/3/2016 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
I've been vegan for 4 years, was vegetarian when I got UC in 2007. There isn't any science backing up that diet has any kind of causative effect on UC. Going vegetarian isnt that different...I highly doubt you'd have any problems. If you want to go whole foods plant-based vegan and raw fruits and veggies dont agree with you, then that may be different. May as well try it.
Posted 10/3/2016 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
If youre really worried, why not go vegan except when in a flare switch back to omnivore, if needed? Or cook your veggies. When Im flaring, even drinking water makes me have to use the bahroom, so I cant comment on that.
Posted 10/3/2016 2:03 AM (GMT 0)

Sara14 said...
I've been vegan for 4 years, was vegetarian when I got UC in 2007. There isn't any science backing up that diet has any kind of causative effect on UC. Going vegetarian isnt that different...I highly doubt you'd have any problems. If you want to go whole foods plant-based vegan and raw fruits and veggies dont agree with you, then that may be different. May as well try it.


www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=3714975


sorry, and clearly not enough evidence for cause/effect, but not exactly a glowing recommendation for a vegan/vegetarian diet -
Posted 10/3/2016 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
You are shaming me for having severe pancolitis and having to go to the hospital for the first time since diagnosis in 2007? Really, did you just do that? You are so anti-veganism and Im so sick of it. When's the last time you ran a 68-mile ultramarathon? I did on my vegan diet last weekend. Also raised $3,700 for abused wild animals in the process. Start your own unscientific anti-vegan thread elsewhere.
Posted 10/3/2016 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
Messthezombie: Good on you for having strong ethical convictions and wanting to do something good for the world by going veg. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I have done a lot of research and I believe a vegan plant-based diet is the healthiest for overall health. I understand concerns about the excess roughage being tough during a flare though as well.
Posted 10/3/2016 10:09 AM (GMT 0)
Yes it's possible. Every essential nutrient is vegan.

Here is today's food diary and nutrient intakes.
https://s12.postimg.org/5y2s1gfbx/food1.png
https://s12.postimg.org/4x2jcbycd/foods2.png

I follow whole plant based Dr's such as Dr Michael Greger, Dr Neil Bernard, Dr Caldwell Esselstyn, Dr John MCdougall etc.
Normally, I would eat more legumes to try keep starch intake up, today was just lacking.
Also, I try to keep omega 3:6 ratios 1:1 (no oils)
Also, forgot to add 1tbsp of dried amla.
B12 supplement, Vitamin D from sun and cronometer doesn't have data for iodine.
I don't fully understand the concerns for fiber. Fiber will keep your bowels healthy. My diet is extremely high in fiber, well over +100g a day. Regardless if you have UC or not you will go toilet more on a high fiber diet. Fiber feeds your gut bacteria and will most probably help induce remission.
A high fiber intake isn't associated with re-flaring.
A standard american diet, processed foods/oils etc is.
Animal products are associated with UC


My bowls are excellent and honestly don't see my self ever flaring again.
My sister's diet is atrocious and is on immune suppressants, etc

Diet[edit]
High protein intake, specifically animal protein via meat and fish consumption has been significantly associated with inflammatory bowel disease as well as ulcerative colitis.[26] There was no such association related to plant proteins in the prospective study consisting of over 65,000 patients over a 10-year period.[27] Animal proteins have greater amounts of sulphur containing amino acids such as methionine, which the colonic microflora accrues into hydrogen sulfide, resulting in the pathogenesis of IBD and ulcerative colitis.[27][28] Such bacteria-derived cell poisons in the form of hydrogen sulfide are specifically elaborated by animal or meat and fish intake, and not by plant foods.[29]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22055893
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20461067
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10198924

Post Edited (Jessicaaa) : 10/3/2016 5:33:52 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/4/2016 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
hi jesicaa what is your diet on day to day, what is your history with colitis, and what did you eat to get out of your last flare? thanks
Posted 10/4/2016 1:33 AM (GMT 0)

Jessicaaa said...
Yes it's possible. Every essential nutrient is vegan.

Here is today's food diary and nutrient intakes.
https://s12.postimg.org/5y2s1gfbx/food1.png
https://s12.postimg.org/4x2jcbycd/foods2.png

I follow whole plant based Dr's such as Dr Michael Greger, Dr Neil Bernard, Dr Caldwell Esselstyn, Dr John MCdougall etc.
Normally, I would eat more legumes to try keep starch intake up, today was just lacking.
Also, I try to keep omega 3:6 ratios 1:1 (no oils)
Also, forgot to add 1tbsp of dried amla.
B12 supplement, Vitamin D from sun and cronometer doesn't have data for iodine.
I don't fully understand the concerns for fiber. Fiber will keep your bowels healthy. My diet is extremely high in fiber, well over +100g a day. Regardless if you have UC or not you will go toilet more on a high fiber diet. Fiber feeds your gut bacteria and will most probably help induce remission.
A high fiber intake isn't associated with re-flaring.
A standard american diet, processed foods/oils etc is.
Animal products are associated with UC


My bowls are excellent and honestly don't see my self ever flaring again.
My sister's diet is atrocious and is on immune suppressants, etc

Diet[edit]
High protein intake, specifically animal protein via meat and fish consumption has been significantly associated with inflammatory bowel disease as well as ulcerative colitis.[26] There was no such association related to plant proteins in the prospective study consisting of over 65,000 patients over a 10-year period.[27] Animal proteins have greater amounts of sulphur containing amino acids such as methionine, which the colonic microflora accrues into hydrogen sulfide, resulting in the pathogenesis of IBD and ulcerative colitis.[27][28] Such bacteria-derived cell poisons in the form of hydrogen sulfide are specifically elaborated by animal or meat and fish intake, and not by plant foods.[29]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22055893
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20461067
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10198924



Jessicaaa, I too base my diet on the physicians in your post. Don't forget Garth Davis MD, or Kim Williams MD (President of American College of Cardiology). I was waiting for someone to chime in referencing those physicians and studies pertaining to ibd, well played :-)
Posted 10/4/2016 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Good for you Jesicaa, plant-based diets rock! I'm especially fond of McDougall these days as he sticks by his guns and can't be bought. He is firmly on the side of very low fat, and only plant based fats in moderation. Most Amerikans eat way too much protein and animal fat.

I am back on a vegan diet, no more eggs, cheese, or yogurt! Just having trouble ending the Veganaise. It's hard to find the low fat version anymore, so I will start making silken soy mayo again. McDougall is pretty severe and doesn't even like to see his clients/patients eat too many nuts, seeds, and soy as they are high in fat.

Good luck!!
Posted 10/4/2016 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Oh man...Vegenaise is amazing... Nice to see some other vegans here! I need to read McDougall's books. I know his basic tenets, but I didnt know he had such an emphasis on low-fat. I probably consume way more nuts and nut butters than I need.
Posted 10/4/2016 9:12 AM (GMT 0)

Jessicaaa said...
Yes it's possible. Every essential nutrient is vegan.

Here is today's food diary and nutrient intakes.
https://s12.postimg.org/5y2s1gfbx/food1.png
https://s12.postimg.org/4x2jcbycd/foods2.png

I follow whole plant based Dr's such as Dr Michael Greger, Dr Neil Bernard, Dr Caldwell Esselstyn, Dr John MCdougall etc.
Normally, I would eat more legumes to try keep starch intake up, today was just lacking.
Also, I try to keep omega 3:6 ratios 1:1 (no oils)
Also, forgot to add 1tbsp of dried amla.
B12 supplement, Vitamin D from sun and cronometer doesn't have data for iodine.
I don't fully understand the concerns for fiber. Fiber will keep your bowels healthy. My diet is extremely high in fiber, well over +100g a day. Regardless if you have UC or not you will go toilet more on a high fiber diet. Fiber feeds your gut bacteria and will most probably help induce remission.
A high fiber intake isn't associated with re-flaring.
A standard american diet, processed foods/oils etc is.
Animal products are associated with UC


My bowls are excellent and honestly don't see my self ever flaring again.
My sister's diet is atrocious and is on immune suppressants, etc

Diet[edit]
High protein intake, specifically animal protein via meat and fish consumption has been significantly associated with inflammatory bowel disease as well as ulcerative colitis.[26] There was no such association related to plant proteins in the prospective study consisting of over 65,000 patients over a 10-year period.[27] Animal proteins have greater amounts of sulphur containing amino acids such as methionine, which the colonic microflora accrues into hydrogen sulfide, resulting in the pathogenesis of IBD and ulcerative colitis.[27][28] Such bacteria-derived cell poisons in the form of hydrogen sulfide are specifically elaborated by animal or meat and fish intake, and not by plant foods.[29]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22055893
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20461067
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10198924

A recent, large study out of Europe also showed that a high-protein diet was associated with a higher risk of developing UC.

However, one must be careful here: That does not mean that reduced animal protein intake is an effective treatment for UC once the disease has started.
Posted 10/4/2016 10:52 AM (GMT 0)

mindoverbutter said...
hi jesicaa what is your diet on day to day, what is your history with colitis, and what did you eat to get out of your last flare? thanks

My diet consists of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, herbs and spices.

Then I mainly eat the best of each food group.
Berries,kiwi fruit,oranges,lemons for fruits etc
Kale, carrots, broccoli, purple cabbage, sweet potato, onions, garlic for vegetables etc
pecans,walnuts, hazelnuts for nuts etc
flaxseed and chia seeds for seeds etc
kidney beans, black beans and lentils for legumes etc
red rice, steel oats for wholegrains etc (should probably look into others)
rosemary, marjoram for herbs etc
turmeric, black pepper, cloves, ginger, cinnamon for spices etc
Basically,I eat foods that have clinical health benefits and have been shown to improve health / reduce disease risks.

I got diagnosed with pancolitis. Went away with first dose of prednisone so really only had 1 flare. I always ate whole foods but had meat, dairy and eggs. Had colitis for 4 years and only problems I've had was when I had some alcohol( I don't know why I drunk it when I knew it was bad for UC)
My stool is soft and perfectly formed.
I also exercise daily.

Post Edited (Jessicaaa) : 10/4/2016 4:56:54 AM (GMT-6)

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