Ulcerative colitis is the inflammation of the colon, and ulcers on the inner lining. You need to watch what you eat to avoid the triggers and yet get the essential nutrients. That is where a diet plan can help track the symptoms and trigger foods for ulcerative colitis.

1. Dairy Products
Most dairy products contain lactose or milk sugar, an enzyme to which some people with ulcerative colitis might be intolerant. However, certain cheese such as cheddar and parmesan are low in lactose. You may be able to eat them even if you have to avoid other dairy products.

2. High-fiber Fruits and Vegetables
High fiber foods might cause increased bowel movements with cramps and abdominal pain in people with this illness. Cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, and other foods like leafy greens, and apples need to be avoided altogether. However, you can eat peeled and cooked fruits and vegetables instead of raw produce as they are easy to digest. Some quantity may be reintroduced to your diet during the remission of symptoms and trigger foods for ulcerative colitis.

3. Low-fiber Fruits
Foods that are low in fiber, easy to digest and high in nutrition can easily be consumed even during a flare-up. Ulcerative colitis patients tolerate fruits like bananas, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon. These fruits pack in vitamins and minerals. The frequent levels of diarrhea cause low potassium levels and dehydration, which these fruits can replenish.

4. Beverages
Alcoholic beverages like beer and wine contain both alcohol and sugar. Both the ingredients are stimulants that can irritate the intestinal lining and cause diarrhoea. Carbonated beverages contain sugar, the usual culprit, and carbonation and caffeine, which stimulate the intestine. They speed up the action of the digestive tract and cause abdominal cramping and diarrhoea. It is advisable to drink decaf tea, water or tomato juice during a flare-up.

5. Yoghurt
Fermented foods contain good bacteria. Good bacteria, also called probiotics, help maintain a healthy digestive tract. Research has shown that probiotics may help some people remain in remission.   Probiotics such as yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, and kefir can be a part of your diet; however, go for low sugar-based varieties.

6. Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are rich in fiber, leading to increased bowel movement, acidity, and abdominal cramping. You may be able to eat them only if they are completely ground into a smooth paste-like in peanut butter. However, even a tiny seed such as that of strawberry can trigger a flare-up and worsen the condition.

Certain foods can trigger the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Diet is an important factor in the management of ulcerative colitis. You will need to observe and experiment to find the trigger foods as per your symptoms.