Enjoying Holiday Dinners with Ulcerative Colitis
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ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7852575/Hunter A. (2016). Festivities, not flare-ups: 10 Tips to survive the holidays with Crohn's or colitis.
crohnsandcolitis.ca/News-Events/News-Releases/Festivities,-not-flare-ups-10-tips-to-survive-theLiving with ulcerative colitis. (2018).
crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/legacy/assets/pdfs/living-with-ulcerative.pdfManaging flares and IBD symptoms. (2019).
crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2019-07/managing-flares-brochure-final-online.pdfWhat should I eat? (n.d.).
crohnscolitisfoundation.org/diet-and-nutrition/what-should-i-eatOur experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Sep 23, 2022 By Carly Werner Edited By Erin McGuinness Medically Reviewed By Marie Lorraine Johnson MS, RD, CPT Copy Edited By Stassi Myer - CE Share this articleMedically reviewed by Marie Lorraine Johnson MS, RD, CPT — By Carly Werner, RD on September 23, 2022
Navigating Holiday Dinners with UC
Medically reviewed by Marie Lorraine Johnson MS, RD, CPT — By Carly Werner, RD on September 23, 2022While holiday dinners are a time to celebrate, they can also be challenging. You might have a mix of feelings when thinking about the holidays, and living with ulcerative colitis (UC) can make things even more complicated. Food is not the cause of UC, but it can play a part in managing or causing a flare. And in group settings that involve shared meals, it can be tough to figure out what to eat. Some holiday dishes may cause or worsen digestive troubles. There’s no one way to eat that works for everyone, but some foods are more likely to cause digestive symptoms for someone with UC, and other foods can be easier to digest and tolerate.Foods to avoid
There’s no single diet for everyone with UC. What you eat during a flare will be very different than the way you eat during remission. If you’re having a flare, consider being cautious with the following:raw fruits and vegetables, especially those with tough skin or seedsvegetables that are tough or stringy even when cooked, such as bamboo, celery, asparagus, and corndried fruithigh fiber grain productsbeans, lentils, nuts, and seedsprocessed meats with skin or casing such as hot dogs or sausagesalcoholcaffeinated drinks It’s important to eat slowly and chew your food well. Digestion starts in your mouth, so the better you chew your food, the easier it will be on the rest of your digestive system. If you’re in remission, you may find that you’re able to eat a variety of foods and don’t need to avoid anything.Foods to include
The foods that you tolerate are personal to you, too. If you’re in a flare, you may want to focus on eating foods that are easier to digest. Foods that are low in fiber with softer textures are less work for your digestive system to break down. This may help prevent or reduce symptoms. Foods that are usually well-tolerated include:turkey, chicken, fish, and seafoodeggstofu, soy beveragessmooth nut butters (such as peanut butter, cashew butter, or almond butter)soft, cooked vegetables with the skin and seeds removedsoft fruits with the skin and seeds removedlow fiber grain products made with refined flour If you’re not able to eat enough, consider using nutritional supplement drinks. They can add more nutrients and calories to your diet.UC-friendly holiday foods
Everyone has their own food traditions and favorite foods during the holiday season. In many cases, dishes can be modified to make them more UC-friendly. Here are some foods and drinks that are more likely to be easier on your digestive system: steamed, roasted, or boiled vegetables instead of salads or raw vegetablesmeat, turkey, chicken, or fish that’s cooked until soft and easy to chewgravies and sauces on the side, so you can choose the amount that works best for youmashed potatoes or rice-based disheswhite bread or rolls, instead of whole wheat or whole grainpureed or broth-based soups without beans or spicescooked fruit or soft fruit, such as melon or bananasnonalcoholic drinks and decaffeinated teasHave a plan
Holiday meals can be tough to navigate when you don’t have control over meal times or what’s served. Depending on who’s hosting, you might feel comfortable asking about the menu ahead of time. This way, you’ll know whether there are foods that you’ll be able to enjoy. If the event is with close family members or friends, they should be happy to accommodate you. Talk with the host ahead of time to discuss your needs, and consider bringing a dish or two to share. It can reduce stress to know there will be some safe options for you, especially if you don’t know the host well or don’t have an understanding of what they typically serve. Many people with UC feel better with small, frequent meals rather than a few large meals. If this works for you, make sure to eat enough earlier in the day to avoid showing up to the event super-hungry. Pack a small snack in your bag, just in case the meal is delayed. If the event is somewhere you’ve never been before, take some time to scope things out. Find out where the bathrooms are in case you need one quickly. If you find holiday events stressful, you’re not alone. You may find that you are more likely to have symptoms when you’re feeling stressed or anxious. Consider learning some strategies to help you cope. Practice deep breathing or grounding techniques. Find a quiet place you can escape to if you’re feeling overwhelmed. If you’re traveling, make sure to bring extra medications or supplies you may need to manage your UC. If you’re feeling unsure about the event, the foods being served, or the setting, it’s OK to say no. You can also consider just attending for part of it or skipping the meal. The holidays can be a busy time. It’s important to prioritize your health and energy and only attend the events that matter to you.How to cope if you have a flare
Despite your best efforts, you may end up with symptoms. It’s not your fault. UC can be challenging and unpredictable. Here are some steps you can take:Have a trusted friend or family member who knows about your UC and is available to help you if needed.Talk with your doctor ahead of time about medications you can take. Antidiarrheal or anti-inflammatory meds can be helpful to keep with you in case you need them. Do your best to drink enough fluids. You’ll feel even worse if you’re dehydrated, which can happen if you’re having a lot of diarrhea.Consider packing extra underwear or pants in case you need them.Keep moist towelettes or wipes with you to use instead of toilet paper, which can be more irritating.Takeaway
Holiday dinners and events can be tricky to navigate, especially if you have UC. While there’s no single diet for someone with UC, some foods tend to be well-tolerated, while other foods may worsen symptoms. It may feel daunting to think about going to a holiday dinner when you’re trying to manage your symptoms, but with some planning ahead and communication, it’s still possible to enjoy the celebrations. Pack some extra supplies and bring a dish to share, if you can. If you feel comfortable, you may want to talk with the host ahead of time about your needs. These steps can help to reduce your stress and enjoy the holiday season. Last medically reviewed on September 23, 2022How we vetted this article
SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.de Castro MM, et al. (2021). Role of diet and nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7852575/Hunter A. (2016). Festivities, not flare-ups: 10 Tips to survive the holidays with Crohn's or colitis.
crohnsandcolitis.ca/News-Events/News-Releases/Festivities,-not-flare-ups-10-tips-to-survive-theLiving with ulcerative colitis. (2018).
crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/legacy/assets/pdfs/living-with-ulcerative.pdfManaging flares and IBD symptoms. (2019).
crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2019-07/managing-flares-brochure-final-online.pdfWhat should I eat? (n.d.).
crohnscolitisfoundation.org/diet-and-nutrition/what-should-i-eatOur experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Sep 23, 2022 By Carly Werner Edited By Erin McGuinness Medically Reviewed By Marie Lorraine Johnson MS, RD, CPT Copy Edited By Stassi Myer - CE Share this articleMedically reviewed by Marie Lorraine Johnson MS, RD, CPT — By Carly Werner, RD on September 23, 2022