Any person with ulcerative colitis needs to pay special attention to the diet they eat. Although foods are not be responsible for causing the condition, certain items flare up the symptoms. While doctors may prescribe certain medications (i.e., entyvio, stelara, and simponi), diet also helps keep the condition under check. Here are five foods to avoid for those with ulcerative colitis:

1. Cereal, whole grain bread, and pasta
When a person with ulcerative colitis experiences a flareup of symptoms, they should avoid eating a high-fiber diet, as it can be difficult to digest. Whole grains are high in fiber content since the bran has not been removed. Foods like macaroni, cereal, bread, noodles, and pasta should be avoided.

2. Nuts
Those with ulcerative colitis who have been prescribed a diet that is low in fiber content must avoid eating nuts that are cooked with other foods or have been turned into flour. The fiber found in nuts is not easy to digest. Peanuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, walnuts, cashews, pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts should not be consumed by those who have ulcerative colitis.

3. Whole-grain foods
For ulcerative colitis patients, it is essential to avoid foods with whole-grain starches. These include oats, brown rice, quinoa, wild rice, and buckwheat. These grains are loaded with bran and fibrous endosperm that can flare up the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. It is advisable to not consume whole grains, such as wheat berries, millet, bulgur wheat, and plain barley, in order to keep the symptoms under check.

4. Seeds
Just like nuts, eating seeds also can aggravate symptoms. Seeds contain insoluble fiber, which can be the reason for gas, bloating, diarrhea, and certain other side-effects. Therefore, it is recommended that those with ulcerative colitis don’t consume wild rice, millet, pine nuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds.

5. Fruits with high-fiber content
Fruits are often considered healthy. However, the high fiber content in them makes them among the foods to avoid for those with ulcerative colitis. Types of fruits that ulcerative colitis patients must avoid include dried and raw fruits and those containing seeds, which cannot be removed, such as berries. Ulcerative colitis patients can eat fruits that have been peeled or have their flesh well-cooked. Canned fruits can also be eaten, but only if they are packed in the juice of the fruit or water. Fruit juices can also be consumed. However, those with the condition need to make sure that the pulp is removed before consuming any juice. If they are drinking prune juice, it is essential to make sure that the fruit’s skin has been removed. The skin contains high fiber and has the potential to aggravate the symptoms.