Ulcerative colitis or UC refers to a chronic ailment that leads to inflammation of the colon or large intestine and rectum and causes sores or ulcers in the inner intestinal linings. UC is believed to be an auto-immune disease in which the human body starts to attack itself. While there is no particular diet that can help if you have been diagnosed with UC, knowing the best foods to manage ulcerative colitis better can help.

Best foods to manage ulcerative colitis
You can keep a food diary to record everything that you drink or eat during the day and see how these make you feel afterward. This may be a time-consuming affair, but it will help you tweak your diet better as you will easily identify the best foods to manage ulcerative colitis. Any well-balanced diet is enough to provide you with the proteins and carbs you need. You have to stay away from carbonated drinks, alcohol, dairy foods in case you are lactose-intolerant, caffeine, high-fiber foods, dried beans, sulfur-rich foods, popcorn, raw veggies, and spicy foods if you have UC.

• Salmon
  This contains omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation when you have a flare-up and helps in remission. Other useful sources of omega-3 fatty acids are mackerel, sardines, flaxseed oil, walnuts, ground flaxseeds, etc.
• Lean meats
  Proteins tend to get eliminated when you have UC flare-ups, so you may want to include poultry and lean meats in your diet to compensate for this loss of proteins.
• Eggs
  These are excellent protein sources, and some have omega-3 fatty acids that can reduce inflammation
• Yogurt
  Probiotics in yogurts and kefir, miso, and sauerkraut are “good bacteria” that help in food digestion. However, you must only choose low-fat yogurts without any added sugar since sugar is known to worsen UC symptoms.
• Avocados
  These are rich sources of fats and proteins and high in calories. Since they have almost 70% water content, they can be digested easily.
• Applesauce
  Unsweetened applesauce is bland but can be easily tolerated during an ulcerative colitis flare-up. You can even prepare your own applesauce at home by peeling and then cooking the apples, but you cannot add sugar.
• Squash
  This is a healthy food that can help you manage UC better. It is rich in vitamin C, fibers, and beta-carotene. Any squash, whether you get zucchini, butternut, acorn, spaghetti, are to be eaten cooked. Raw squash can aggravate the symptoms of UC when there is a flare-up.
• Instant oatmeal
  This can be the go-to-snack when you have ulcerative colitis. It can be prepared quickly and makes for a hearty meal. This grain version is easy for people with UC to digest as it contains less fiber. Since it is processed slightly than the steel-cut oats, it is easier for people with ulcerative colitis to eat. You must, however, remember to choose only the low-sugar or plain varieties and sweeten this if required with cinnamon or fruit puree.
• Smoothies and juices
  These are easier to keep in the stomach when you have an attack of UC and are good because of their nutritious value. For instance, carrot juice is super rich in vitamin A as well as antioxidants. This can be the best protein-loaded snack on-the-go.
• Plantains
  These are a type of bananas that are known to promote digestion and good for people with UC.