Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease [1] that causes one to lose important nutrients through symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea. [2] Losing important nutrients like calcium, vitamins, and zinc is detrimental to the body and could lead to other conditions like osteoporosis. [3] So, it is important that these nutrients are replenished. Vegetables are a vital source of nutrients and micronutrients. However, some vegetables should not be taken as they worsen the symptoms of the condition.
Changes in the diet are a major way of reducing the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Vegetables are also sometimes excluded from one’s diet. However, the total elimination of vegetables from your diet leads to nutrient deficiency as the lost nutrients are not being replenished.
What Vegetables Can You Eat During an Ulcerative Colitis Flare Up?
When the state of the disease is worsened, you might want to avoid certain foods including vegetables. This is required so that the symptoms of this condition do not get worse. However, completely avoiding vegetables can lead to other complicating issues like malabsorption of nutrients and loss of weight.
During a flare, the kind of vegetables you eat and how it is taken are very important factors. You should look out for vegetables that are very easy to digest. Pureed and well-cooked vegetables should be taken rather than raw vegetables. You should look for vegetables that can be prepared into vegetable stock, [4] which can be used to make soups and can also be added to other foods.
Some of the vegetable foods you can take during an ulcerative colitis flare-up include:
- Peeled summer squash
- Cucumber
- Asparagus
Most of these vegetables have a high amount of soluble fibre. They can help delay digestion and regulate normal movements of the bowels. This prevents the occurrence of diarrhoea which is part of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. [5]