4 Foods To Avoid If You Have Ulcerative Colitis

Dr. Peyton P. Berookim, MD
3 min readSep 13, 2018

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Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease limited to the large intestine that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Treatments for ulcerative colitis (UC) include surgery and medication such as nonsteroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs. UC causes ulcers to develop inside the colon, which then creates symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, or rectal bleeding.

People with UC may experience flare-ups every so often and must be careful as this can cause bloody stool, urgent bowel movements, and an immense amount of pain in the abdomen. Food plays a large role in activating flare-ups, and controlling food intake can help reduce these symptoms.

If you are experiencing severe symptoms, make sure to visit a colonoscopy doctor in Los Angeles. In the meantime, here are some foods that may activate flare-ups:

Whole Grain Foods

Whether it’s whole grain rice or whole grain bread — whole grain, in general, is a food product that contains a lot of fiber. Whole grain contains a lot of fiber due to not having the germ or bran removed. Other whole grain starches such as oats and quinoa are key products to avoid.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are can aggravate symptoms further. These products contain insoluble fibers, which means it is near impossible to dissolve. This only causes the stomach to become irritated as it does not have a release. Our colonoscopy doctor in Los Angeles finds symptoms of this include gas, diarrhea, and bloating.

Beans and Lentils

Lentils and beans are infamous for their reputation for causing gas. People with ulcerative colitis should do their best to avoid these foods. Lentils and beans are high-fiber, high-protein rich foods. Make sure to avoid any and all beans, including chickpeas, edamame, and soybeans.

Fruits and Vegetables

This is a tricky option as you need fruits and vegetables to live a healthy lifestyle. However, the only fruits and vegetables you should be sure to avoid are those full of fiber. Most fruits are full of fiber, whether they are raw or dried. With vegetables, there is a little more leniency when they are skinned/peeled and cooked. That being said — avoid most raw vegetables and try to peel and/or steam them if you wish to continue to incorporate them into your diet.

About GI Doctor — Peyton P. Berookim, a colonoscopy doctor in Los Angeles:

Peyton P. Berookim, a colonoscopy doctor in Los Angeles, is one of the best double board-certified gastroenterologists. He has a reputation for excellence and is committed to treating his patients with the utmost care. This GI Doctor makes sure to provide quality and efficiency at his Los Angeles practice while maintaining client discretion.

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Dr. Peyton P. Berookim, MD

Los Angeles colonoscopy expert Dr. Berookim is a digestive and liver disease specialist. For medical news and digestive health tips, visit www.gidoctor.com