:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Health-GettyImages-1487186208-37b87b47b01e4bd69034cb20f79204ca.jpg)
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine. Most people with UC experience periods of flare-ups with symptoms and periods of remission without symptoms. Symptoms vary from person to person, but common symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stool.
While there's no set diet for a person with UC, diet can affect symptoms. Certain foods may be well-tolerated by a person with UC, while others may trigger a flare-up. Each person with UC may have a unique list of tolerable vs. trigger foods. In general, following a well-balanced diet with a focus on anti-inflammatory foods and foods that support gut health is the goal for a person with UC.
Below is a sample seven-day meal plan for ulcerative colitis. This plan is an example of meals you can eat each week. It is intended for people in remission and not actively experiencing symptoms. If you are experiencing a UC flare-up, consult your healthcare provider or registered dietitian for personalized dietary guidance.
Keep in mind that you can always swap out ingredients in this meal plan that may be personal triggers and replace them with options that work best for you. Consider keeping a food diary to help you identify foods that worsen your symptoms or that agree best with you.
The first day of your seven-day meal plan for ulcerative colitis can look something like this:
The dinner includes wild salmon. Wild salmon is rich in omega-3 fats, which can help tame inflammation. Salmon is also a high-quality source of protein and essential vitamins and minerals. The turmeric in the meal adds anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
The variety of fruits and veggies throughout the day will add anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits to meals.
On the second day, try something like the following:
With this day’s meal plan, you’re starting your day with filling fiber and protein. Oatmeal is a good source of fiber, with cooked oats being easier to digest than raw oats. Nut butters like peanut butter or almond butter can be easier to tolerate than raw whole nuts.
As for your snack, know that kefir is a fermented milk drink that contains probiotics, which support gut health and digestion.
For the third day, continue your balanced diet by having the following meals:
In the morning, chia seeds and walnuts can help reduce inflammation since they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
In the afternoon, lentils can be a lean source of plant-based protein. They are also rich in dietary fiber, which can support digestion and promote satiety (fullness).
At night, the nutritional yeast can add a cheesy, umami flavor to foods while also being a good source of B vitamins.
The well-balanced diet continues into the second half of the week. Try eating the following:
The Greek yogurt included in the breakfast contains live and active probiotic cultures, which support gut microbiome and healthy digestion.
The lunch includes a baked falafel since it’s a lighter option than fried falafel.
The dinner’s sushi bowl leaves out ingredients like tempura that may be high in unhealthy fats or sodium.
The fifth day of your ulcerative colitis meal plan can include:
For breakfast, the acai berries contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may help support gut health.
For dinner, the wild salmon burgers contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
When snacking, opt for baked tortilla chips since they are a lower-fat alternative to fried chips.
On the sixth day, keep up the nutrient-packed meals and snacks by trying the following:
The ingredients in the breakfast smoothie are perfectly paired. The live and active probiotic cultures in the kefir and the prebiotics coming from the fruit work best together to support gut health. If you add a protein powder, select one that agrees with your digestive tract.
When selecting vegetables for your meals, consider that grilled veggies may be easier to tolerate than raw.
The last day of your seven-day meal plan for ulcerative colitis can look like this:
This day’s meals include two types of fish—herring and smoked salmon. They are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help manage inflammation. The ginger in the yogurt snack also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
When preparing your vegetables, keep in mind that steamed vegetables may be easier to tolerate than raw vegetables.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all diet for ulcerative colitis, what you eat can affect symptoms. During remission, when you are experiencing minimal to no symptoms, you may be able to enjoy a wide variety of foods. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
During a flare-up, when symptoms are present, it's generally recommended to follow a temporary bland diet that is easy to digest. This might involve prioritizing low-fat, low-fiber food and eliminating foods high in fiber.
Research suggests a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods may potentially ease UC symptoms and promote better gut health. These foods include omega-3 fatty acids like fatty fish (salmon, herring, and mackerel), nuts (walnuts), and seeds (chia, hemp, and flax seeds). Other anti-inflammatory foods are fruits like berries, vegetables like dark leafy greens, and herbs and spices like turmeric and ginger.
Not everyone will have the same trigger foods and drinks. However, some certain foods and drinks are generally believed to more commonly worsen symptoms or play a part in a flare-up, including:
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum. People with UC may experience times of flare-ups and remission and need to adjust their diet according to their symptoms.
During remission, it's recommended to focus on a well-balanced diet full of variety and nutrient-dense foods. A seven-day meal plan for ulcerative colitis should include these types of foods.
Everyone with UC may have different foods they can tolerate or that trigger symptoms, so it may be best to work with a registered dietitian (RD) for a personalized meal tailored to you.
Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
