Can Vegetarian Diet Help Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis Diet

Make simple, consistent improvements to your diet and nutrition to better manage your colitis symptoms.

A nutritionist for Colitis can be the perfect partner to your primary care doctor to help you manage your Ulcerative Colitis. Our evidence-based process can help you implement proven strategies to feel better and improve your health.

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Build a tailored nutrition plan to treat your colitis

Alleviate your Ulcerative Colitis symptoms with a meal plan customized to your individual needs.

Although there is no "cure" for Ulcerative Colitis, combining traditional medicine with the recommendations from our Registered Dietitians can help you re-establish a normal routine and feel healthier.

Our Registered Dietitians help you determine:

• Which foods your digestive system handles well, across all food groups
• Tips on how to plan your snacks and meals throughout the day
• Foods to eat and foods to avoid
• How to treat an Ulcerative Colitis flare up
• If your stool indicates that you may have UC
• How to make these changes sustainable and set you up for long-term success.

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Ulcerative Colitis: Let's Talk

Colitis, Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn's are often used interchangeably - but in reality, they explain three different conditions. Colitis is the general inflammation of large intestine lining (colon). It is synonymous with Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) and encompasses multiple conditions. Ulcerative Colitis: is a specific digestive issue, identified by ulcers on your large intestine.

Ulcerative Colitis: this is why you're here, right?

• Why did you get Ulcerative Colitis? The short answer is that scientists still don't know. Genetics are a major risk factor, but some people without a family history develop the condition
• Ulcerative Colitis is caused by an autoimmune response from your body
• Your symptoms may include:
  • GI: loose and urgent bowel movements, bloody stool, abdominal pain and cramps, persistent diarrhea
  • Non-GI: appetite loss, weight loss, nausea, low energy, anemia [which can slow growth and development in children]
  • There are flares and periods of remission throughout disease course UC is different from other types of colitis because tiny ulcers form, causing long term inflammation
• There are a few different types of ulcerative colitis, have slightly varying symptoms and treatments:
  • Ulcerative Procitits (rectum)
  • L side colitis (splenic flexure and sigmoid colon)
  • Extensive colitis- type of UC that impacts entire colon
• There are various treatments available - we have found a combination of medication and dietary improvements to be most effective

It can be challenging to differentiate between Crohn's and UC

1. If you think that you may have a GI condition, the first step is to schedule an appointment with your doctor
2. Your doctor will evaluate your medical and family history
3. Crohn's Disease includes any and all of GI tract (mouth to anus), entire thickness of bowel wall
4. Ulcerative Colitis affects your colon and rectum , inner most lining of bowel wall
5. Both are in the category of an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Our summary of the two conditions is below.  You can also read a more detailed explanation about the differences between Colitis and Crohn's Disease here.

	Ulcerative Colitis	Crohn's Disease
What if Affects	Ulcerative Colitis specifically affects your large intestine, also known as the large bowel or colon. The ulcers form on only the top layer of tissue in your colon	Anywhere along your GI tract, although it is commonly found in the small intestine and large intestine. Crohn's impacts all tissue layers at its site Crohn's can also cause issues with your skin, eyes, and joints
Symptoms	Urgency of bowel movement Loose stools Abdominal pain Blood in the stool Fatigue Loss of appetite Malnutrition Weight loss	Frequent diarrhea Occasional constipation Abdominal pain Fever Blood in the stool Fatigue Skin conditions Joint pain Malnutrition Weight loss Fistulas
Treatment	Dietary Improvements Medication Surgery, as a last resort	Dietary Improvements Medication
Diagnosis: performed by a gastroenterologist	Stool Test Endoscopy of esophagus and stomach Colonoscopy Biopsy of colon tissue CT Scan	Blood Test Stool Test Endoscopy of esophagus and stomach Colonoscopy CT Scan or MRI

Our summary of the two conditions is below.  You can also read a more detailed explanation about thedifferences between Colitis and Crohn's Disease here.

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Improve your Ulcerative Colitis symptoms and take action — today!

Take your reading on the go and download the PDF, included with your downloadable guide is a 7-day meal plan complete with easy-to-follow recipes.

What foods should you eat with Ulcerative Colitis?

If you have Ulcerative Colitis, very minor changes to what you eat can make a BIG difference in your symptoms. Consider keeping food logs or adjusting foods that trigger your symptoms. You may also want to work with your doctor or dietitian to work through an elimination diet. Generally, you should try to:

1. Take your time when you eat. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation recommends eating 4-6 smaller meals per day. Eating a bit more slowly also prevents you from ingesting too much air and becoming gassy
2. Stay hydrated. Aim for 64 oz of water each today. Your urine should be a light yellow to clear color
3. Relax! Exercise and relaxation techniques alleviate your Ulcerative Colitis symptoms
4. Use simple cooking techniques. We recommend baking, grilling, or steaming to preserve most food's nutrient content

In terms of specific food recommendations, go with these:

Food Type	Examples
Lean Protein	Fish: salmon, tilapia, flounder Lean cuts of pork White meat chicken Eggs: offer several essential nutrients, including omega-3 supplementation. They are typically easy to digest And for plant-based diets: Soy Firm tofu
Low Fiber Fruits	Bananas Cantaloupe Honeydew melon Cooked fruits, which are especially relevant if you have recently had surgery Avocados, which are rich in nutrients and healthy fats.
Veggies	Veggies can be hit or miss, so be be very specific: Fully cooked, seedless, skinless, non-cruciferous vegetables Asparagus tips cucumbers Potatoes (starchy vegetable) squash (starchy vegetable)
Foods with Probiotics	Yogurt Kefir Sourdough bread Sauerkraut Tempeh

During a flare up, you many find it more comfortable to eat bland, soft food, otherwise limiting spicy foods.  During periods of remission, you should eat all of your usual items with the omission of known offenders.

Foods to avoid with Ulcerative Colitis

Most importantly, we highlight that each person's food sensitivities and triggers are different

Below is a list ofcommontrigger foods; keep in mind that they vary for each person

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Carbonated beverages
• Dairy products (if lactose intolerant)
• Dried beans, peas, legumes, dried fruits or berries
• Fruits with pulp or seeds
• Foods containing sulfur or sulfate
• Foods high in fiber (including whole-grained products)
• Hot sauces and spicy foods
• High fat meats
• Nuts and crunchy nut butters
• Popcorn
• Products containing sorbitol (sugar-free gum and candies)
• Raw vegetables
• Refined sugar
• Seeds

I have heard that fiber is good for Ulcerative Colitis.  What does OnPoint Say?

• We encourage you to eat a medium/high fiber diet when you are not experiencing a flare up.  A high fiber diet is almost always encouraged in all adults, part of maintaining a healthy gut as well

• If you decide to increase your fiber intake, increase it gradually, even if you are not having GI or IBD issues presently

• You may find a "Low Residue" approach helpful.  We have seen it work well for some people

• Increase or be aware of hydration and fluid intake.  Try to drink at least 64 oz of water per day

• Some studies show that a higher fiber diet can improve IBD conditions

Reduce flare-ups, gain energy, and improve your quality of life.

Go beyond what you're learning in this guide, included with the downloadable PDF is a 7-day meal plan complete with easy-to-follow recipes.

Who to contact if you have questions about Ulcerative Colitis

1. A dietitian with an expertise in GI and digestive issues, such as OnPoint!

2. Always consult your primary care doctor. They can refer you to a local GI specialist if needed

3. If diagnosed, you may want to seek a specialist for your specific disease in your area

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More information about Ulcerative Colitis

According to George Washington University, colitis is a chronic digestive disease characterized by inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. Infection, loss of blood supply in the colon, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and invasion of the colon wall with collagen or lymphocytic white blood cells are all possible causes of an inflamed colon.

The following diseases fall into the colitis/IBD category; they all can be treated with a combination of medication and improvements to your eating habits:

Ulcerative colitis:

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which abnormal reactions of the immune system cause inflammation and ulcers on the inner lining of your large intestine. Ulcerative colitis can develop at any age, but the disease is more likely to develop in people between the ages of 15 and 30. Read more below!

Crohn's colitis:

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Recent research suggests hereditary, genetic, and environmental factors contribute to Crohn's disease development. In people with Crohn's, harmless bacteria are mistaken for foreign invaders and the immune system mounts a response. The inflammation caused by the immune response does not go away. This leads to chronic inflammation, ulceration, and thickening of the intestinal wall.

Diversion colitis:

Diversion colitis involves inflammation in the large intestine brought on after surgical treatment that diverts the fecal stream away from the large intestine, usually to a temporary ileostomy or colostomy. It should not be confused with being a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), even though it often mimics the symptoms of IBD. Diversion colitis can occur after surgical treatment for intestinal-related conditions such as fecal incontinence, bowel cancer, or spontaneous chronic constipation that is not related to an obvious underlying cause.

Ischemic colitis:

Ischemic colitis (IC) is an inflammatory condition of the large intestine, or colon. It develops when there isn't enough blood flow to the colon. IC can occur at any age, but it's most common among those over the age of 60.A buildup of plaque inside the arteries (atherosclerosis) can cause chronic, or long-term, IC. This condition may also go away with mild treatment, such as a short-term liquid diet and antibiotics.

Infectious colitis:

Colonic infection by bacteria, viruses, or parasites results in an inflammatory-type of diarrhea and accounts for the majority of cases presenting with acute diarrhea. These patients present with purulent, bloody, and mucoid loose bowel motions, fever, tenesmus, and abdominal pain.

Fulminant colitis:

Fulminant colitis is a somewhat rare but serious form of ulcerative colitis (UC). UC causes inflammation and sores in the lining of the colon. It doesn't happen to most people who have UC. Less than 10% of people with it get fulminant colitis, usually during their first attack of symptoms. The whole lining of the colon becomes inflamed, causing severe symptoms like bloody diarrhea and belly pain. Fulminant colitis is a medical emergency. You'll need to go to a hospital right away for treatment with medicine, and possibly surgery.

Collagenous colitis:

Collagenous colitis (CC) is a condition that affects your large intestine. It leads to episodes of watery diarrhea and belly pain. Your large intestine is part of your digestive (gastrointestinal or GI) tract. The GI tract goes from your mouth all the way to your rectal opening. The large intestine includes both the colon and the rectum. The large intestine receives the broken-down products of food from the small intestine. One of its main jobs is to reabsorb water and electrolytes, such as salt. The colon leads to the rectum. The rectum stores your bowel movements before your body eliminates them. In Collagenous colitis, inflammatory cells from your immune system travel to your large intestine. There they cause swelling and inflammation. In rare cases, these cells also go into the latter part of your small intestine.

Chemical colitis:

Chemical colitis is a type of colitis, an inflammation of the large intestine or colon, caused by the introduction of harsh chemicals to the colon by an enema or other procedure. Chemical colitis can resemble ulcerative colitis, infectious colitis and pseudomembranous colitis endoscopically.

Microscopic colitis:

Microscopic colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine (colon) that causes persistent watery diarrhea. The disorder gets its name from the fact that it's necessary to examine colon tissue under a microscope to identify it, since the tissue may appear normal with a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. There are different subtypes of microscopic colitis: Collagenous colitis, in which a thick layer of protein (collagen) develops in colon tissue; Lymphocytic colitis, in which white blood cells (lymphocytes) increase in colon tissue; Incomplete microscopic colitis, in which there are mixed features of collagenous and lymphocytic colitis.

Lymphocytic colitis:

In lymphocytic colitis, inflammatory cells from your immune system travel to your large intestine. Here they cause swelling and inflammation of the tissues. In rare cases, these cells also invade the latter part of the small intestine. Immune cells (lymphocytes) may build up in the area as well. The inflammation may keep your large intestine from reabsorbing as much water as it should. This leads to diarrhea, belly pain, and other symptoms.

Our Team Listens

Your symptoms are unique to you. Your nutritionist tracks your food with you and makes specific recommendations to help you feel better.

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Based upon your daily routine, we will build a custom plan to help alleviate your GI and IBD issues.

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Our dietitians and nutritionists build custom plans tailored to help you find relief from your GI issues. Our expertise includes: IBS, Crohn's Disease, and Ulcerative colitis

"We have worked with hundreds of clients who live with GI issues such as Ulcerative Colitis. We know how hard it can be to live with the condition. We hope you will allow us to help you tackle your GI issue head-on."

Can Vegetarian Diet Help Ulcerative Colitis

Source: https://www.onpoint-nutrition.com/colitis-diet

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