Living With UC: Diet Changes

Living With UC: Diet Changes

Although it has not been found that diet has an effect on ulcerative colitis, it generally is recommended that patients eliminate any foods that they find are making their symptoms worse. For example, milk in people with UC who are intolerant to the sugar in milk, lactose, may be causing gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea, symptoms that may overlap with those of ulcerative colitis. Despite not being the cause of the ulcerative colitis, eliminating milk may improve gastrointestinal symptoms in these people. It is important to be sure that the diet is nutritionally adequate, and this may require the assistance of a dietician.