Dietary Tips For Women With Ulcerative Colitis

Eat Refined Grains

Most of the time, women are encouraged to consume whole grains. This is not the case when they have ulcerative colitis! Whole grains are harder for the body to digest as they contain lots of fiber. Thus, women with UC are usually better off eating refined grains over whole grains more often. This includes eating white rice, rice noodles, cream of wheat, plain saltine crackers, enriched white bread, and refined white pasta. Corn flakes and puffed rice cereal are also good choices! This helps the body still get some grains without putting as much stress on the digestive system. Of course, the refined grains are another example of why women with ulcerative colitis often need to take supplements to get the nutrients they miss from food.

Avoid Dairy Products

Many women with ulcerative colitis also experience a sensitivity to dairy products because of the lactose they contain. Some are even fully lactose intolerant. Thus, consuming dairy products can trigger more symptoms and worsen existing ones. This is why women should avoid consuming dairy products. The great news is there are many alternatives on the market! Popular milk alternatives include soy, cashew, almond, rice, oat, and coconut milk. There are also cheeses and yogurts made with these alternatives in mind!

Most of these won't contain lots of fiber, but it is still important to read the nutritional labels. Women should also look for fortified options with additional vitamin D and calcium. Every little bit helps!