Following a proper diet is very important, no matter which disease you are suffering from, and the same goes for ulcerative colitis. However, the diet structure for ulcerative colitis would depend on the type of the disease that you are suffering from. The diet plan for ulcerative colitis generally varies from person to person. Some diet tips for ulcerative colitis that can help relieve the symptoms of this painful disease are:

1. A high-calorie diet
People who have been suffering from ulcerative colitis for a long time, lose their weight drastically and develop signs of malnutrition. Thus, to cope with their problems, they would have to follow some diet tips for ulcerative colitis which provide information about high-calorie diets. The list of high-calorie foods generally includes peanut butter, tofu, whole milk products, cream cheese and sour cream, casseroles with meat, potatoes with butter, margarine, cheese, buttermilk, meat, eggs, dried fruits, etc.

2. A lactose-free diet
People suffering from ulcerative colitis can gradually become intolerant to lactose. Thus, if you are also experiencing this symptom, then you would have to follow the diet tips for ulcerative colitis which offer information about lactose-tolerant diets. Foods to avoid for such people are buttermilk, cheese spreads, cream, evaporated and condensed milk, ice cream, malted milk, sour cream, powdered or dried milk, and sweets. Foods that can be eaten by these people are cooked dried peas and beans, pasta, noodles, rice, barley, bread made without milk, cereals made without milk, potatoes, saltines, and whole-grain crackers, etc.

3. A low-fiber diet
A low-fiber diet helps reduce the frequency of bowel movements and abdominal cramps by restricting the amount of undigested material passing through the large intestine. A low-fiber diet includes white bread, white rice, crackers, plain pasta, pancakes made from white refined flour, fruit and vegetable juices with no pulp, milk, food made from milk, butter, margarine, and salad dressing without seeds. Foods to be avoided when you are on this diet are whole-wheat bread, brown rice, dried fruits, dried beans, peas, lentils, nuts, coconut, popcorn, etc.

4. A low-salt diet
This diet is used for patients who are on corticosteroid therapy, to get some help with the reduced water retention. Foods to enjoy when you are on a low-salt diet are grains and beans, unsalted nuts and seeds, bread and baked goods, dairy products, healthy fats, low-sodium soups, eggs, fresh or frozen fish, starchy vegetables, dried fruits, fresh or frozen meat, and poultry. Foods to be avoided are fast food, processed meats, cheese, pickled vegetables, sauces, and condiments.

5. A gluten-free diet
Most diet tips for ulcerative colitis recommend a gluten-free diet for people suffering from this disease for a long time. This diet includes food like chickpeas, sweet potato, whole oats, and spinach. Foods that are to be avoided include whole-wheat bread, muffins, doughnuts, chicken wings and cutlets, potato chips, beer, sauces, and cream-based soups.

Living with ulcerative colitis can be very stressful if you do not follow a healthy and nutrient-rich diet. Thus, go to a nutritionist as soon as possible and create a proper diet plan to cope with this painful health condition.