IBD and UC Nutrition

People with ulcerative colitis are so fearful of eating, they're so fearful of provoking an attack or just getting their gi tract all worked up that they actually don't eat. And that's not a good thing to be doing.

Clinical dietician, Tracie Dalessandro gives expert advice to patients with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's.

It's always the recommendation that patients eat lean, high-quality protein. So we're eating proteins like chicken and turkey and fish, soy proteins… …Smooth nut butters are also great sources of protein…and I try to steer them away from foods that may be very high in fat… …So high-fat meats like bacon and bologna, ribs, wings…things that… …Could cause more diarrhea and mal-absorption. So those kinds of foods would be less beneficial.

IBD patients are understandably reluctant to eat fruits and vegetables because they can stimulate the bowels. However, cooked greens seem to be better tolerated and certain type of produce may even help quiet the digestive system.

People don't generally think about eating papaya and mango or cantaloupes or melons, but they're actually very soothing to your gi tract and their digested easily and they're filled with vitamins.

For WebMD, I'm Damon Meharg