7 Food Swaps for a Flare-Friendly Ulcerative Colitis Diet
Ulcerative ColitisHow to Manage and Treat UC

7 Foods to Swap During an Ulcerative Colitis Flare

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Updated on January 24, 2026
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If you have ulcerative colitis (UC), a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), you may be aware that there is no specific, universal UC diet, but there are some foods, generally speaking, that may exacerbate symptoms of a flare and should be avoided if they make you feel worse. While many people with UC also restrict their diets during periods of remission (when they have few or no symptoms), research indicates this tactic hasn’t been proven to prevent flares and can lead to malnutrition.

If you have UC, you may feel like flares are out of your control. But dietary modifications may help alleviate — or at least avoid exacerbating — your symptoms when inflammation is active. Here are seven food swaps you can make that might help.

1

Add Flavor to Your Dishes With Cooked (Not Raw) Onions and Garlic

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Raw onions and garlic are rich in fiber, which makes them difficult to digest and can contribute to gas. Cooking them can help break down the fiber, or you can add flavor to your food with onion- and garlic-infused oils or onion and garlic powders instead.

To add more flavor to your meals, experiment with herbs, such as basil, parsley, oregano, and thyme. You may want to stay away from spices like peppers and curry blends, however, which can irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

2

Trade Whole Nuts for Nut Butter

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Nuts and seeds are chock-full of fiber and healthy anti-inflammatory fats, but for people with UC, whole nuts can be hard to digest during a flare.

Fortunately, substitutes abound for nut lovers in the form of peanut butter (creamy, not chunky), almond butter, and cashew butter, among others. “Keeping these in your diet is a plus, because they contain monounsaturated fats, which can soothe inflammation,” says Lillian Craggs-Dino, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist on the executive council of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

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3

Choose Fruit Without Seeds

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Berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are high in antioxidants, which may help ease inflammation. But they’re also possible UC triggers because they contain seeds that “are tiny and difficult to strain out,” says Craggs-Dino.

Blueberries, which also contain antioxidants, don’t have as many seeds as raspberries, for example, but they do have fibrous skin that can be difficult to digest during flares. To work them into your diet, try tossing them in a smoothie; blenders break down insoluble fiber into smaller pieces, which might make it slightly easier to digest.

You can also swap berries for easier-to-digest fruit preparations, such as applesauce, canned, skinned peaches or pears packed in juice, or bananas.

Once you’re in remission, try to make more room for fruit in your diet. One small study of 36 people with UC in remission found that adding more fiber — particularly in the form of fruits and vegetables — to participants’ diets was associated with lower inflammation markers in the blood, a decreased imbalance in gut bacteria (dysbiosis), and better quality of life.

4

Pick a Less Acidic Alternative to Tomatoes

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Whether they’re juiced, cooked, or stewed, tomatoes can be hard on your gut. Not only are tomatoes acidic, which can irritate the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, but their seeds can also be hard to digest.

Wondering what to make instead of tomato soup? Opt for a bisque made from cooked and pureed squash instead. At lunch, try using cucumber slices on a salad rather than raw cherry tomatoes. Consider roasted red peppers in recipes instead of sun-dried tomatoes, or try a mild chili recipe that uses butternut squash, carrots, or sweet potatoes in place of tomatoes.

5

Replace Cabbage With Vegetables That Don’t Cause Gas

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Cabbage can be hard to digest — and not just because it’s full of fiber. The vegetable also contains sulfur, which can cause bloating, abdominal discomfort, and flatulence, says Craggs-Dino.

Leafy greens like spinach, beet greens, or non-cruciferous sprouts and microgreens, such as chickpea or soybean, are all possible alternatives if you make sure they’re cooked well. Cooked greens should be wilted and tender.

6

Exchange Wheat Bran for Oatmeal or Corn Flakes

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Wheat bran and bran flakes are high in insoluble fiber, which passes through the gut undigested. Heart-healthy oatmeal, though, is a good source of soluble fiber, which dissolves in water and can be easier on the gut, so it’s good to eat even during a flare.

You may want to try quick oats or instant oats if the fiber in less processed varieties exacerbates symptoms. But avoid flavored instant oatmeal packets, which have added sugars that can contribute to inflammation.

Other lower-fiber cereals worth trying during a flare are cornflakes, Cheerios, and Rice Krispies. For hot cereals other than oatmeal, try grits or Cream of Wheat.

7

Try Low-Lactose or Dairy-Free Products Instead of Traditional Dairy

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It’s not uncommon for people with UC to also be lactose intolerant, which means having trouble digesting lactose, a sugar in milk and milk products. Although you may need to avoid milk, ice cream, and many cheeses, other types of dairy may be well-tolerated even during flares, such as naturally lactose-free hard cheeses or yogurt.

Some yogurt is low in lactose. “And because it’s fermented, it has good bacteria, which is helpful to the digestive system,” Craggs-Dino says.

You can also try lactose-free milk, cheese, and yogurt products made from soy, she says. But introduce soy slowly, because it may cause gas and bloating.

 Almond, cashew, and coconut products are also lactose-free nondairy alternatives to milk, yogurt, and ice cream.

The Takeaway

  • There is no single universal diet for ulcerative colitis (UC), but it is important to identify and avoid foods that may further exacerbate your symptoms during a flare.
  • Insoluble fiber from foods like raw vegetables, nuts, and seeds can irritate an inflamed colon during a flare. Choosing alternatives that are more easily digested can help avoid an exacerbation of symptoms.
  • Helpful food swaps include using infused oils instead of raw onions and garlic, choosing fruit without seeds or skin, and opting for low-lactose or dairy-free products instead of traditional dairy.

Additional reporting by Linda Thrasybule.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
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