Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease occurring in the large intestine and rectum. It causes inflammation, irritation, and ulcers in the colon. Unfortunately, it cannot be cured completely, and the condition puts the patient at an increased risk of getting diagnosed with colon cancer.

Here are some trigger foods for ulcerative colitis, which one should try to avoid as much as possible:

1. Non-absorbable and refined sugar
Non-absorbable sugars, such as sorbitol, sugar-free gum, ice cream, and certain fruit juices like peach, pear, and prune, should be avoided, as they are trigger foods for ulcerative colitis. Such sugars can be hard to digest. On the other hand, refined sugar can cause diarrhea by pulling more water into the gut.

2. Whole grain starches and brown rice
Brown rice and other whole grain starches, such as millet, bulgur wheat, oats, wild rice, etc., can irritate ulcerative colitis and trigger inflammation. Instead of all this, a much better option is well-cooked white rice.

3. Caffeine
Many of us cannot do without caffeine. It could be coffee, energy drinks, or tea, but it is important to note that caffeine is one of the trigger foods for ulcerative colitis. It is a stimulant and can speed up the colon’s transit time.

4. Foods with high-fat content
In the case of ulcerative colitis, excessive fat may not get properly absorbed when a flare occurs. As such, the condition may get worse and even lead to gas. Food items that have high-fat content include coconut, butter, cream, and other grease food.

5. Seeds
Seeds such as flax seeds, millet, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc., are a kind of insoluble fiber. They can cause diarrhea, bloating, gas, and several other side-effects. These can lead to a lot of irritation.

6. Fruits
Dried fruits and fruits with seeds or pulp are one of the trigger foods for ulcerative colitis. They contain high fiber content and can trigger the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. So, they should be avoided.

7. Dairy food items
If one finds that dairy food items such as milk, butter, and yogurt are triggering ulcerative colitis, they can consider eliminating them from their diet for approximately four weeks. They can even consult their doctor or dietician for the same.

8. Gluten
Some people are highly sensitive to gluten, which is found in rye, wheat, barley, and specific oats. It is known to replicate symptoms, which are similar to that of ulcerative colitis.

9. Spicy foods
If one has a history with colon-related issues, they should immediately stop eating spicy food items, such as pepper and hot sauces. Such food items are known to cause diarrhea in many people, and these can even worsen the symptoms.

So, these were some of the trigger foods for ulcerative colitis that one should try and avoid. Additionally, one can get in touch with a health care specialist who would better help treat ulcerative colitis better.