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Crohn's & ColitisDigestive HealthLiving with Chronic IllnessNutrition

6 ways to enjoy food when you have ulcerative colitis

These expert tips can help you take comfort in food again.

Jan 23, 2026
Home page>Gastroenterology>Ulcerative Colitis>6 ways to enjoy food when you have ulcerative colitis
Written byJameson Kowalczyk
Medically reviewedbyMegan Burke, MDin April 2025
Slide 1
Prepare to eat outside the home
Eat smaller, more frequent meals
Opt for cooked vegetables instead of raw
Avoid trigger foods
Drink plenty of fluids
Talk to your healthcare provider and dietitian
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Slide 1

Sitting down to a delicious meal is supposed to be an enjoyable part of the day. But that's not always easy if you have ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes sores in parts of the digestive tract. When a person has ulcerative colitis, food can affect how good—or bad—you feel.

A few dietary guidelines can help you manage the condition, says Lori Woodward, RD, a dietitian at Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates. "These tips will aid in the digestion and absorption of foods for IBD patients and may help relieve many of the symptoms associated with this condition," she says.

Sources (6)
  1. Wang L, Du M, Wang K, et al. Association of ultra-processed food consumption with colorectal cancer risk among men and women: Results from three prospective US cohort studies. BMJ. 2022;378:e068921.
  2. Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Food: Eating with Crohn’s or Colitis. Accessed April 16, 2025.
  3. Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. The risk of colorectal cancer in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients. Accessed April 15, 2025.
  4. MedlinePlus. Low-fiber diet. July 24, 2024.
  5. UCSF Health. Nutrition tips for inflammatory bowel disease. Accessed April 14, 2025.
  6. UVA Health. Nutrition and ulcerative colitis. March 2024.
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