Older patients with ulcerative colitis need to pay attention to their diet. They should eat regularly and in moderate amounts, avoiding overeating. When preparing food, they should pay attention to soft and easily digestible foods, such as porridge, soup, and stew. Grains and dried fruits should be ground into powder before further processing. Seasoning should also be taken into consideration to make the food tasty and appetizing. Now let's take a look at the dietary taboos for older patients with ulcerative colitis.
1. Avoid greasy foods
Patients with ulcerative colitis often have poor fat absorption, and in severe cases, they may have fat diarrhea. Therefore, the amount of dietary fat should be limited, and low-oil foods and cooking methods should be used. For those with fat diarrhea, medium-chain fatty acids, such as coconut oil, can be used. During diarrhea, it is not advisable to eat oily and fried foods. Various dishes should be cooked with as little oil as possible, using methods such as steaming, boiling, stewing, blanching, simmering, and water sliding.
2. Be cautious with seafood
In traditional Chinese medicine, seafood is considered a "pathogenic factor" for a reason. The proteins in seafood are different from those in the food we normally eat, and certain foreign proteins are prone to causing allergies and worsening inflammation. Therefore, patients with ulcerative colitis should be cautious about consuming seafood. It is also not recommended to drink milk and dairy products during the active stage of the disease. During the dietary adjustment process, patients and their family members should pay attention to observe the effects of different foods: which foods have a positive effect on the patient, and which foods cause discomfort or allergic reactions. They should summarize their experiences in a timely manner and continuously explore a suitable diet.
3. Eat less high-fiber foods
Avoid foods with high fiber content and processed rough foods. A large amount of high-fiber foods can stimulate the intestines and affect the absorption of nutrients, which can worsen the condition of patients who are already malnourished. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the intake of fibrous foods, such as Chinese chives, celery, sweet potatoes, radishes, coarse grains, and dried beans. During the active stage of the disease, it is advisable to avoid eating raw vegetables and fruits. Instead, they can be cooked into vegetable broth, vegetable puree, fruit juice, and fruit puree for consumption. Avoid cooking large pieces of meat and instead use minced meat, diced meat, shredded meat, ground meat, steamed egg custard, and boiled eggs.
4. Avoid spicy foods
Spicy and irritating foods can cause adverse stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, patients with ulcerative colitis should avoid chili peppers, mustard, alcohol, and other spicy and irritating foods. They should also eat less garlic, ginger, and raw onions. Avoid consuming excessively cold or hot foods. In particular, avoid consuming cold drinks and foods that have just been taken out of the refrigerator during the summer.
