Actionsets help people take an active role in managing a health condition.  Ulcerative colitis: Changing your diet

Why? - Why the action is important? Why is it important to pay attention to what you eat?

What you eat does not increase the inflammation that causes your disease. But some types of foods, such as high-fiber fruits and vegetables, may make your symptoms worse. This is especially true during a flare-up. As a result, you may be tempted not to eat these foods at all. But that can make it hard to get the nutrients you need to stay healthy.

A better idea is to keep a food diary to find out which foods cause problems for you. Then you can avoid those foods but choose others that supply the same nutrients. Foods that cause symptoms during a flare-up may not bother you at other times.

To learn more about nutrients and the types and amounts of food you need to be healthy, see the topic Healthy Eating.

Test Your Knowledge

  1. Eating foods that make my symptoms worse also makes my disease worse.

    1. True
    2. False

Continue to How? - Learn the steps involved in taking action. How to eat when you have inflammatory bowel disease
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Author: Monica RhodesLast Updated: October 24, 2006
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology

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