2. Nutritional Navigation: Fueling Your Body Right
Contrary to what many people think, food doesn’t cause UC. However, certain foods and drinks can trigger UC symptoms, including pain, making dietary adjustments a vital part of UC pain management.
Everyone’s body is different, and so are their trigger foods. What might cause a flare-up in one person might have no effect on another. Therefore, it’s essential to identify your specific trigger foods and try to avoid them as much as possible.
Common trigger foods include high-fiber foods, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and dairy products. However, not all these foods will trigger symptoms in all individuals with UC. It’s a good idea to keep a food diary to help identify any foods that seem to worsen your symptoms.
Lastly, consider eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of three large ones. This can help reduce the burden on your digestive system and may lead to fewer symptoms.
Staying hydrated is also essential. While you may need to limit certain drinks, such as alcohol and caffeinated beverages, you should aim to drink plenty of water and other hydrating fluids throughout the day. (2)
