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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/14/2013 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
I was just wondering if anybody has found certain foods better to eat as well as what foods to avoid from having UC? Whether you should limit intake of some and increase of others . . . just any advice would be really helpful :)
Posted 6/14/2013 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
yeah, well....no foods will help from having UC.

unless I'm not understanding your question.

But...changing food intake can lessen your discomfort and help some symptoms. Won't heal your flare. 


q
Posted 6/14/2013 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Avoid:

All sugar and sugar substitutes, Alcohol, Coffee, Wheat, Gluten, Simple starches, Dairy and anything with lots of preservatives or additives, and transfats.

...but that's just me.

I eat low-sugar fruit (blue berries etc), lots of green vegetables like spinach and kale, lots of pumpkin, lots of carrots, cauliflower, broccoli. Pseudo grains like Millet (for porridge), Quinoa. Coconut milk, slow cooked meats, fish, lots of eggs, sprouted seeds and legumes, avocado, nut butters, occasional Sweet potato, sauerkraut.

I've pretty much given you the Paleo/Gaps diet. And told you to run like hell from the SAD.

Others will say food doesn't matter a pinch.
Posted 6/14/2013 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
I've had good luck with limiting FODMAPs. I don't think it is healing my UC, but I have a lot less gas and bloating eating this way.
Posted 6/14/2013 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
I am sorry if what I asked was confusing. I was just wondering what seems to bother people less to a certain degree with food and if certain things you eat or did not eat affect you differently in any way.
Posted 6/14/2013 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
good stuff for me is...

beef, pork, salmon, tuna, shrimp, crab, avocados, coconut oil, honey, bananas, berries, gelatin, yogurt, kefir, cheese, well cooked veggies like mushrooms and zucchini

bad stuff for me is...

eggs, chicken, wheat, leafy green vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, dried fruits, potatoes, whole nuts/seeds

you will get a different answer from each person here so just go with your gut.
Posted 6/14/2013 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Not a confusing question.

I believe some foods can cause an acute response. For me that's coffee, alcohol and ice cream, dairy. Also Garlic & onions give me gas.

But I think some/many foods have an impact over time that will impact your long term health with UC. Some foods with chemicals and preservatives may not produce an acute response but over time may produce a toxic load that manifests in inflammation.

So I take a holistic approach. I just get rid of everything I think is going be be a fast burner or slow burner in regard to manifesting poor bowel health. Simple.

But Like Quincy said I don't think there is a food that makes things better. For me it's just a case of removing the bad guys and maintaining a lifestyle/diet that will promote healing.

Post Edited (Jimbo NZ) : 6/13/2013 8:38:46 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/14/2013 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
I limit dairy, cheese only. Seldom tomato. Right now no grains or sugar! I am feeling much better. Did a few cheats, set me back a little but I am very in tune. Also going organic and grass fed!
Posted 6/14/2013 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Oh and low acid coffee but limit amt
Posted 6/14/2013 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone's different. You should keep a food diary to see what worsens or helps your symptoms. Like q and Jimbo, I'm of the school of thought that foods affect symptoms, but not prognosis. There are a few exceptions, but the links are tentative.

When I'm flaring, I tend to avoid caffeine and certain kinds of fiber, because they worsen my symptoms. Caffeine is a stimulant laxative and insoluble fiber is an irritant. Lots of people also have issues with dairy-I personally don't.

There is a small body of research showing certain things might improve outcomes, but again, data is fairly limited especially in regards to bioavailability. The only thing I'm willing to endorse as a research professional at this point are probiotics, particularly lactobacilli. VSL3 has shown promising results in the literature. There is some data on fish oils and cumercin (tumeric), but I don't find those data compelling at this stage in the research.

When I'm in remission, I eat pretty much whatever and nothing affects me any differently than a normal person.
Posted 6/14/2013 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Sugar makes my UC symptoms act up, so I mostly avoid it. This means, unfortunately, that I have to really limit my sweets -- cookies, cakes, other baked goods. I've also noticed some other processed foods, like some crackers and some chips, will also make my symptoms act up. I do best when I stick to healthy foods like fruits, veggies, nuts and nut butters, and whole grains. I no longer drink alcohol.
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