Every case of Ulcerative Colitis is slightly different, which means that your dietitian should customize your treatment plan to your unique symptoms and habits. That’s where we come in! OnPoint’s approach to Ulcerative Colitis treatment and management is science-based and tailored for each person we work with. You could be one of hundreds of clients that have allowed us to help them achieve remission from Ulcerative Colitis symptoms.
Here is the full rundown of how we work to help our clients manage their Ulcerative Colitis.
Step 1: Assessment
Ulcerative Colitis is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine and colon. There are two stages of Ulcerative Colitis, active flare and remission. The goal is to achieve and maintain remission. Research suggests lifestyle changes help reach this goal. To determine the best treatment approach, we must first determine what phase your condition is in and what dietary changes you should make.
Ulcerative Colitis Diet Basics
Ulcerative Colitis Remission Diet
The Ulcerative Colitis Remission diet works to prevent a UC flare. During remission, inflammation is controlled, and symptoms resolve. Eating a nutrient-rich diet is an important strategy to maintain remission.
The Basics of a Ulcerative Colitis Remission Diet
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Incorporate fiber-rich foods as tolerated
- Focus on fruits and vegetables
- Stay hydrated
Ulcerative Colitis Flare Diet
During an active flare, symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, and urgent and painful bowel movements are common. Temporarily implementing a low fiber, low residue diet until symptoms improve allows the gut to heal.
- Low fiber fruits
- Non-cruciferous vegetables
- Refined grains
- Lean proteins
After a flare, transitioning back to a UC Remission diet helps to ensure you are getting all the nutrients you need.
Step 2: Program Personalization
You and your dietitian will work together to determine the best treatment plan for you. This process will include personalized materials that meet your specific needs for your specific version of Ulcerative Colitis. When it comes to Ulcerative Colitis, our team focuses on a few different diet and lifestyle improvements to help manage your condition long term and prevent future UC flares.
- A Well-Balanced Diet: Incorporating a wide variety of foods in your diet helps ensure you are getting all the nutrients you need to optimize your health. Including whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats to help you reach your goals.
- Fiber-Rich Foods: Your nutritionist or dietitian will calculate your energy and macronutrient needs to determine the optimal food intake for you. Together you will focus on the quality of your food to ensure that the calories and macronutrients that you are eating are high in fiber to support healthy bowel function.
- Hydration: Fiber absorbs water and increases the bulk of your stool to allow it to pass through the colon more efficiently. Replacing the water used in the colon is important to maintain proper hydration. Your dietitian or nutritionist will help you determine how much water you should consume.
- Manage Stress: Experts believe that stress worsens UC symptoms and contributes to flares. Implementing strategies to reduce stress will be another key piece of improving your overall lifestyle.
Step 3: Monitor outcomes
We know that consistency and sustainability are the key to achieving long-term results. Throughout your program, your nutritionist or dietitian will monitor your progress to ensure that your program is serving you well. We will be on the lookout for changes in symptoms and opportunities to further customize your experience to fit your lifestyle. These outcome measures help us determine the best plan to provide you with long-term symptom relief, complication prevention, and improved quality of life!
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