Question:

Updated on
October 28, 2011

What can I eat if I have Ulcerative Colitis?

Hi Dr. Wylde,

I'm hoping you can give me some information on a current health issue I am struggling with. I have recently (last couple weeks) been diagnosed with ucerative colitis. My Doctor has put me on 800mg of Asacol (three times daily) and 5mg Apo-Prenisone (four times daily) to help reduce inflamation and flare ups. The thing I am struggling most with is a proper diet. I'm afraid I am not getting a proper balanced diet. I know a colitis diet is not written in stone and can differ from person to person. I've taken dairy products out of my diet, and I'm afraid to try different fruit and vegetables. I also understand that eating smaller portions more frequently througout the day can help. I just don't know what safe foods I can eat and snack on to try to help control flare ups. Can you give me a quick guideline as to what I can try to eat and snack on to control the colitis and flare ups? I understand I should avoid gluttens, grains, whole wheats, high fibres, seeds nuts, raw fruit and veggies. This is causing me to be hesitant on what I eat in general, limiting myself to plain chicken, fish, white rice, applesauce, etc. However, the flare ups continue off and on and I am not getting a proper diet.

Thank You,
Anthony Zuccaro
Thornhill, ON

Answer:

Hi Anthony
Ulcerative colitis usually has two causes. Physical and emotional. First lets get you educated so that you regain your health. There are several types of colitis but ulcerative is the most common.
You have already taken out the diary which is great. Sometimes when the inflammation is high you will be nervous to eat anything. When the bowel is inflamed it is important to heal the lining of the colon, sooth and heal the mucous membranes. In my practice I use Live Blood Cell analysis and have great results with this. Here is what I have found to work wonders. Start your morning with an ounce of aloe vera juice and drink another ounce before bed. I use products from a company called Douglas Labs and they sell a product called intestamine which is wonderful for this and you can take 6 a day, 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. Also they make L-glutamine powder and this is wonderful to heal the lining. I would have you take 2000mg a day. Also Genestra sells a probiotic called replete you can follow the directions on the package. You can also get some beta carotene. Take 25,000 iu a day. Natural factors sells a product called Bet Care all. Aslo you will need some vitamin e. Take 800iu a day. One from your health food store.
Once you begin the healing, food won't be such a problem.
here is your list....no fast, frozen, fried, junk or processed and definitely no dairy. No wheat corn,nuts, seeds sugar and spice.
Eat more of a vegetarian diet. Oats, rice, quinoa and ground flax seeds are great. Quinoa is fabulous to eat. In the beginning have lots of veggie soups as they are easy to digest. Also you could make yourself a shake with some hemp protein, flax oil(2tbsb) a banana, blueberries and ground flax seeds and water.
I find a lot of people with this have a tendency to have either anxiety or nervous energy and are under a great deal of stress. It is important to work with that as well. I work with PSE testing which allows me to isolate the emotional cause . Once we heal the gut, eliminate the stress your symptoms should improve dramatically...Good luck

Response by Jane Durst Pulkys BSc., R.N.C.P., C.N.P

Disclaimer:

Before starting any new health program or before you begin taking any medication, natural medicine, or supplement, always check with your primary health care provider.