8 Foods You Need in Your Ulcerative Colitis Diet

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Salmon & Yogurt

Salmon

Some ulcerative colitis patients have found omega-3 fatty acids to be beneficial—particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which fights inflammation in the digestive tract and throughout the body. 

A pilot study in 2011 found that the fish oil in salmon was a beneficial source of EPA for ulcerative colitis patients. Salmon is a tastier alternative to fish oil supplements, and it comes with a variety of other nutrients and health benefits. This is particularly important for ulcerative colitis patients, who often have issues with malnutrition due to their digestive problems. 

 

Yogurt

Foods with probiotics help control the destructive bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. While probiotics can be found in fermented foods like sauerkraut, yogurt may be particularly beneficial for ulcerative colitis patients—assuming you aren’t lactose intolerant. 

Unfortunately, the sugars some yogurt brands contain aren’t necessarily a benefit. So, always check the label before making a purchase—the less sugar you can find, the better. Unflavored yogurt that specifically states it contains “live, active cultures” on the label is the best choice. 

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