Ulcerative Colitis Dietary Therapy
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Standard Dietary Recommendations
The key to good health for all ulcerative colitis patients is to work with the physician to get the disease under control, usually with medications. Without this basic achievement, the full benefit of any dietary program becomes difficult to achieve. The following are crucial key goals:- Maintain a good weight by ingesting enough calories, minerals and vitamins.
- Protein – The amount of protein you need per day
will depend on your weight, age, exercise, pregnancy and, especially, on
the activity or seriousness of the colitis process. The formula for the
healthy person is 0.36 grams of protein per 1 lb of body weight. For
the 150 lb person, the number is about 54 grams of protein.
If you do serious exercise, if you are a large person or if your ulcerative colitis is active, you may need additional protein. Much of this protein can and should come from vegetables and fruits. Many nutritionists and physicians think we, as a nation, eat too much animal protein. For ulcerative colitis patients, in particular, too much red meat may increase the odoriferous gas, hydrogen sulfide, in the colon (see below). - Carbohydrates – In general, you should avoid the low carb craze. The bulk of your calories should come from complex carbohydrates as in whole grain, brown rice, and fresh vegetables and fruits. Plain sugar, high fructose sweeteners, as in soft drinks and many of the processed foods, have large amounts of these simple sugars that do not have much health benefit.
- Fats – The body needs a certain amount of fat, especially the mono and unsaturated vegetable oils, such as olive oil. The high saturated fats in meat, creams, and all trans fat products should be used sparingly.
