Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Updated : April 27, 2016 3:03 PM IST
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Although your diet won t cause or cure ulcerative colitis can it can certainly help manage your symptoms. The key to deal with colitis is to feed your body with essential nutrients and avoid the ones that won t aggravate your digestive system. Well-known nutritionist, Priya Kathpal gives you a list of foods to eat and avoid if you have colitis.
Foods to eat
Omega-3 fatty acid rich fish
Omega-3 fatty acids are not only good for your colon but they can also help ease inflammation. This means that a diet rich in fish can counterbalance the inflammation that occurs during colitis. So eat a lot of fishes like salmon, tuna and mackerel. When it comes to omega-3 rich foods avoid the nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds are rich in fibre and can be very difficult for you to digest.
Probiotics
Fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir and sauerkraut contain probiotics that can keep your gut healthy and also boost your immune system. These foods can help maintain optimum levels of good bacteria in the gut. However, remember to watch out for the sugar content and opt for only unsweetened and unflavoured versions of these foods.
Eggs
Opt for eggs if you have trouble getting enough nutrients. Rich in proteins and vitamins that can be well tolerated even when you have a ulcerative flare. Boiled eggs are excellent to make for a protein-rich snack on the go. These natural remedies can also help provide you relief.
Avocados
Rich in heart-healthy monosaturated fats avocados can fuel your body in a healthy way. If you start losing weight because of colitis, consider consuming the nutrient-dense avocados. Simply add avocados to your salad or mash avocado and spread it on your sandwich.
Foods to avoid
Dairy products
Saturated fat can spell a lot of trouble for your digestive tract. Avoid dairy products like milk butter and cheese as they contain a lot of saturated fat. Lean meat can be healthy fat choices that can also make-up for the protein content. The protein in lean cuts will help you deal with the inflammation.
Whole grains
If you suffer from ulcerative colitis, you may just want to avoid anything which is rich in fibre. Rather than opting for wheat bread, pasta and cereals opt for the ones that are made of flour. Whole grains like brown rice and quinoa are also a strict no.
Beans and lentils
You may also want to avoid lentils, peas and beans as they can be very difficult to digest. These high fibre foods can also lead to gas so you may just want to pass it on.
Fibre-rich fruits and vegetables
Most fruits are rich in fibre so it is best that you avoid them. You can eat watermelon as it is soft and hence you can digest it easily. If you feel like eating fruits once in a while, make sure to remove the pulp as it is the most fibre-rich portion of fruit.Also, limit your intake of fibre rich vegetables like cabbage and broccoli. Also, if you are looking for relief from some symptoms like diarrhoea, abdominal pain and rectal pain try these herbal remedies.
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