Ulcerative colitis causes ulcers and inflammation in the digestive tract. This can make choosing food difficult for those living with the condition.
Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), along with Crohn’s disease.
According to the
Eating healthy snacks can help address this and contribute to a nutritious, balanced diet.
Food can affect people with ulcerative colitis differently. A person should make notes about foods that help or worsen symptoms and avoid or include them in their diet as necessary.
This article lists some snack ideas to help people with ulcerative colitis maintain a healthy diet.
A banana can make a quick, simple snack for people with ulcerative colitis.
A person can simply peel and slice it as they wish. Alternatively, they can blend it with their chosen milk for a delicious smoothie.
Bananas are not high in fiber, so they are a good snack for people who have recently had surgery or are experiencing a flare-up.
A single banana also contains
Eating more potassium in the diet may not be enough to affect a person’s potassium levels, so they may need potassium supplements.
Crackers are bland and easy to digest. Pairing them with cheese creates a small, tasty snack.
Cheese and crackers offer a combination of simple carbohydrates, vitamin D, protein, and calcium.
People living with ulcerative colitis can often tolerate hard cheeses since they contain less lactose than softer cheeses. People with ulcerative colitis are more likely to have lactose intolerance than people who do not have the condition.
Cheeses that are lower in lactose include:
- parmesan
- gouda
- cheddar
- Swiss
Cheese is also a good way for a person with ulcerative colitis or another inflammatory bowel disease to introduce more calories into their diet.
Hummus is made with mashed chickpeas, olive oil, and other seasonings.
Even though they are high in fiber, pita chips and hummus are generally well-tolerated as snacks or small meals. The chickpeas in hummus may help with symptoms of gas or bloating.
To make hummus at home, a person can blend chickpeas, tahini, and a little olive oil together. They can add seasoning, such as garlic and lemon, to taste, but should avoid adding too much salt.
Edamame beans, or soy beans, provide a combination of fiber and protein. They are also a good source of soluble fiber, which helps form stool. However, people should avoid soluble fiber if they are experiencing diarrhea or a flare-up.
People can buy edamame in their pods or already shelled. They can boil, steam, pan-sear, or microwave them and eat them plain or flavored. Edamame beans do not have a strong flavor, so many flavorings will work, such as soy sauce with minced garlic and ginger.
Avocados contain many nutrients and healthy fats. They can help a person with ulcerative colitis add more calories to their diet in a healthy way.
Since whole grain foods are harder to digest for a person with ulcerative colitis, a person can opt for white bread to make their toast. Simply mash or slice avocado and serve it on top of toasted bread.
Yogurt is a great way to include probiotics in the diet. Probiotics may ease symptoms of ulcerative colitis by introducing healthy bacteria to the gut.
However, research on the effect of probiotics on a person with ulcerative colitis is limited. One small
A person with ulcerative colitis should talk with their doctor before including probiotics in their diet.
The Canadian Society of Intestinal Research recommends eggs for people with IBD, including those with ulcerative colitis. They note that many people with ulcerative colitis tolerate eggs better than other sources of protein.
Eggs contain amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids.
A person can boil a large batch of eggs at the beginning of the week for a quick, easy snack.
A person can add the eggs to a salad or eat them on their own.
For a liquid snack, green tea can bring many health benefits to a person with ulcerative colitis.
The condition causes diarrhea, which can mean a person loses a lot of fluids and could become dehydrated. Keeping hydrated using beverages such as green tea can be crucial.
The polyphenols found in green tea have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation from ulcerative colitis.
Raw nuts may worsen symptoms for people with ulcerative colitis. However, smooth nut butters, like smooth peanut butter, are generally well-tolerated and a good source of protein.
A person can opt for white bread or potato bread, which are both lower in fiber than whole grain bread.
A melon salad made by mixing various melons may be a good snack option for someone with ulcerative colitis.
People with ulcerative colitis generally tolerate melons, such as honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelon, well.
To make a melon salad, cut open each of the melons and use a spoon or scoop to remove small portions of the melon’s flesh. Mix the portions together in a bowl and serve.
Store any leftovers in an airtight bowl in the refrigerator.
Oatmeal can make a tasty, quick snack that is easy to digest. This may be particularly helpful during a flare-up.
A person can combine a half cup of cooked oatmeal with a cup of calcium-fortified unsweetened soy or almond milk.
For added flavor, mix in a small amount of cinnamon or applesauce.
A simple baked potato can make a good snack for someone with ulcerative colitis.
Top a baked potato with a small amount of shredded Cheddar cheese, non-dairy cheese, or other low-sodium seasonings to add flavor, calcium, and protein.
However, a person may want to avoid them during a flare, and should avoid eating the skin.
Dietary triggers can vary from person to person, and a person should avoid any food that causes a flare-up.
If a person is unsure which foods aggravate their condition, they should consider keeping a food journal where they can record what they eat and any symptoms that arise.
The following foods are generally not well-tolerated when living with ulcerative colitis. As a result, a person should typically avoid:
- foods high in insoluble fiber (that do not dissolve in water), including:
- nuts
- whole grains
- raw vegetables and fruits
- fruits and vegetables with skin
- seeds
- high-fat foods, such as:
- butter
- margarine
- deep-fried foods
- sugar-filled foods or drinks
- foods or drinks that contain non-digestible sugar alcohols, such as:
- sorbitol
- mannitol
- spicy or hot foods
- caffeinated beverages
- alcohol
- lactose, including from:
- milk
- ice cream
- soft cheese
If gluten and dairy trigger a person’s colitis symptoms, they may wish to avoid eating pizza. Alternatively, a person can try a gluten-free pizza base and use lactose-free cheese.
A person with ulcerative colitis may be able to eat tomato sauce in moderation. However, it may be best to avoid eating whole tomatoes as the skin can be difficult to digest.
Some people with ulcerative colitis may not be able to tolerate lactose. A person can choose lactose-free cheese options. People may be able to tolerate hard cheese better than soft cheese.
A person may wish to limit their intake of red meat and processed meats. They can also try alternatives to red meat, such as turkey and game birds.
People with ulcerative colitis can choose easily digestible snacks that will not trigger or worsen their symptoms. These include cheese and crackers, oatmeal, eggs, and hummus with pita.
If people are unsure of their trigger foods, keeping a food journal can help them track the foods they eat and any resulting symptoms.
A registered dietitian can give advice about snacks to try and how to eat, depending on whether their condition is flaring or in remission.