Ulcerative Colitis Diet: What to Eat During a Flare and in Remission

By Anna Curran, RN, BSN, PHN · Last reviewed October 2026

There is no single ulcerative colitis diet that works for everyone, and food does not cause UC. During a flare, many people feel better with small meals of soft, low-fiber, easy-to-digest foods and plenty of fluids. In remission, the goal is a varied, balanced diet with as many foods as you can comfortably eat.

Food can feel confusing when your gut is unpredictable. Here is a practical, evidence-based guide to help you eat well through every stage of UC.

Can an Ulcerative Colitis Diet Cure UC?

No. NIDDK notes that researchers have not found that specific foods cause UC or make it worse. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation also says diet does not cause Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

But food can affect how you feel. Some foods can make diarrhea, gas or cramps worse, especially during a flare. That is why diet is a support tool, not a treatment on its own. Your UC medicines are still what calm the inflammation. Learn more in our guide to ulcerative colitis treatment.

Be careful with online plans that promise to heal UC or let you stop your medicine. No diet has been shown to do that. Talk with your doctor before trying any strict or special diet.

Why Nutrition Matters With UC

UC can make it hard to get enough nutrition. During a flare, you may lose your appetite, lose blood or lose fluids from diarrhea. NIDDK notes that this can lower your intake of nutrients, and in children it can affect growth.

Common nutrition concerns with UC include:

Low iron and anemia from blood loss
Weight loss from poor appetite
Dehydration from diarrhea
Bone loss, especially with steroid use

Your doctor may check your blood and suggest supplements if you need them. Ask before starting any supplement on your own.

What to Eat During a Flare

During a flare, the goal is to get enough calories, protein and fluids while easing your symptoms. MedlinePlus and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation suggest these tips.

Eat small meals often

Try several smaller meals or snacks through the day instead of three large ones. Smaller amounts can be easier on your gut.

Choose soft, easy-to-digest foods

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation lists foods that many people tolerate well:

Fruits: bananas, applesauce and blended fruit
Cooked vegetables: squash, fork-tender carrots and green beans
Starches: potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice and oatmeal
Leafy greens: cooked and cut small, or blended
Fish: salmon, tuna and other fatty fish

Get more protein

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation notes that protein needs go up during active disease. Good choices include eggs, fish, chicken, turkey, tofu and smooth nut butters.

Cook your fruits and vegetables

MedlinePlus suggests baking or stewing fruits and vegetables if raw ones bother you. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation notes that skins, like apple peel, are high in tough fiber. Blending turns tough produce into a softer texture that may be easier to handle.

Foods that may worsen flare symptoms

These foods do not harm your colon, but they can make symptoms worse for some people. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and MedlinePlus list:

Raw, high-fiber vegetables such as kale, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts
Whole nuts and seeds, and tough skins such as apple peel
Beans and other gassy foods
Fatty, greasy or fried foods
Spicy foods
Milk, cream and ice cream if you are sensitive to lactose
Sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol
Sugary drinks, alcohol and caffeine

Everyone is different. A food that bothers one person may be fine for you. This is why a food journal is so helpful.

Staying Hydrated

Diarrhea pulls water and salt out of your body, so hydration is very important with UC. Mayo Clinic advises staying hydrated, and MedlinePlus suggests drinking plenty of liquids. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation suggests drinking enough to keep your urine light yellow.

Tips for staying hydrated:

Sip small amounts often throughout the day, as MedlinePlus advises
Keep a water bottle with you
Ask your doctor about oral rehydration drinks if you have a lot of diarrhea
Limit alcohol, caffeine and soda, which can worsen diarrhea or cause gas

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have signs of severe dehydration, such as very little or no urine, dizziness or fainting, a racing heart or confusion. Also go to the ER for heavy rectal bleeding, severe belly pain or a high fever. See our guide to ulcerative colitis symptoms and flares for more warning signs.

Eating Well in Remission

When your UC is calm, the goal changes. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation encourages keeping your diet as varied as possible, with many plant foods you tolerate.

In remission, you can often:

Slowly add back foods you avoided during your flare
Add fruits and vegetables a little at a time, rather than all at once
Try different textures, such as nut butters instead of whole nuts
Include omega-3 foods, such as fatty fish, chia seeds and flaxseed meal

The foundation notes that some trigger foods only cause symptoms during active disease. A food that bothered you during a flare may be fine now.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation also lists foods linked to more inflammation, such as red meat, processed meat and certain processed foods with additives. You do not have to cut these out completely, but it may help to eat them less often.

Keep a Food Journal

Mayo Clinic and NIDDK suggest keeping a food diary. It can help you spot patterns between what you eat and how you feel.

Each day, write down:

What you ate and drank, and how much
The time you ate
Any symptoms, such as cramps, gas, urgency or diarrhea
How many bowel movements you had
Stress, sleep or other changes that day

After a few weeks, look for patterns. Bring your journal to your appointments. Try not to cut out foods based on one bad day. Cutting out too many foods can lead to poor nutrition.

Work With a Registered Dietitian

Mayo Clinic recommends seeing a dietitian. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation suggests working with an IBD-focused registered dietitian to build an eating plan that fits you.

A dietitian can help you:

Get enough calories and protein during a flare
Find your trigger foods safely
Add foods back in remission
Prevent low iron, calcium or other nutrients
Plan meals that fit your budget, culture and family

Ask your gastroenterologist for a referral.

A Sample Flare Day

Here is one simple example of gentle meals during a flare. Adjust it to what works for you and your dietitian’s advice:

Breakfast: Oatmeal made with water or lactose-free milk, plus a banana
Snack: Applesauce and a few crackers
Lunch: Baked chicken, white rice and soft cooked carrots
Snack: A smoothie made with blended fruit and smooth nut butter
Dinner: Baked salmon, mashed potatoes and soft green beans
All day: Water or other fluids your doctor recommends, in small sips

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best diet for ulcerative colitis?

There is no single best diet. Most people do well with a balanced, varied diet in remission and softer, lower-fiber foods during flares. A registered dietitian can help you build a plan that fits your body.

Should I cut out dairy if I have UC?

Not always. Mayo Clinic suggests trying to limit dairy if it seems to make your symptoms worse. If you cut out dairy, ask a dietitian how to get enough calcium and vitamin D.

Can I eat fruits and vegetables with ulcerative colitis?

Yes. During a flare, choose soft, cooked, peeled or blended produce. In remission, slowly add more variety as you can tolerate it.

Is coffee bad for ulcerative colitis?

Caffeine can worsen diarrhea for some people, especially during a flare. You may want to limit it and see how you feel. Notice your own response in your food journal.

The Bottom Line

An ulcerative colitis diet is about comfort and good nutrition, not a cure. During a flare, choose small meals of soft, easy-to-digest foods with extra protein and plenty of fluids. In remission, aim for as much variety as you can tolerate. A food journal and an IBD-focused dietitian can help you find what works, and your medicines remain the key to controlling inflammation.