Chinese food is something I have loved all my adult life. Little did I know that when I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 24, Chinese food would be the help it has been.
The first Chinese “food” that has been beneficial is actually the stereotypical drink associated with Chinese food and that is tea. Regular” tea or green tea both act as soothing agents to my ulcerative colitis condition. Most of us as we get older get used to drinking coffee in the morning and throughout the day. Unfortunately, at least for me, caffeine is an irritant to my bowel which can cause the ulcerative colitis to flare. Also, it is not an aid when it comes to hydration which tea is. When one has ulcerative colitis, hydration is important for food digestion as well as for peristalsis control.
The very nature of Chinese food is beneficial to sufferers of ulcerative colitis if my experience is an indicator. With Chinese food it is easy to get filled up quickly, and yet, one gets hungry fairly quickly. This is the type of “rhythm” that has been most beneficial to me as an ulcerative colitis sufferer; frequent, small meals as opposed to three large meals per day. When one has ulcerative colitis, too much food can cause bloating and other problems; Chinese food fills without “stuffing”.
Chinese food, of course, is not identifiable as any one type of food. There are many different dishes. You can break Chinese food dishes into two basic categories; spicy and non-spicy. In my case I have found spicy foods to be a problem for my ulcerative colitis as far as causing cramping, bloating, general pain and diarrhea. Additionally, Chinese restaurants seem to be the most likely to use Monosodium Glutamate which is a flavor enhancer which many, many people are allergic to, and, anyone who has ulcerative colitis is going to be even more likely to have a major problem with this spice. While it is typically on the menu if it is used, it is always wise to ask. That is a good policy for anyone, but, someone who has ulcerative colitis has to get in the habit of knowing what they are putting in their bodies.
On a Chinese food menu, spicy items will almost always be identified by asterisk or the lettering will be in red; somehow (usually) spicy Chinese food will be distinguished. All restaurants will “adjust” or remove the spiciness, however, that has never helped me much and I finally figured out why. Chinese food dishes which are typically spicy are cooked with hot spices. When adjustments are made, there is still the past association present and the food can still do damage even though it doesn’t taste spicy. One thing I have found with ulcerative colitis is that it doesn’t take much to irritate it; even when on meds.
Chinese food dishes that, as an ulcerative colitis sufferer I have learned to stay away from are Hunan dishes, Szechuan dishes and any “General” dish such as General Tso’s Chicken. Also I am wary of anything with peanut sauce since it is spicy as well as “appetizers” that are fried (most are), such as fried wings and fried crab sticks because of the grease. Greasy foods can bother an ulcerative colitis sufferer as well.
What dishes have made me such a fan of Chinese food? Rice is very inoffensive. It not only is boiled, it is at the base of many dishes I eat. It acts as a good basis for “filling the bowel” so there is no cramping. When the bowel is too empty, ulcerative colitis can create cramping. The Chinese food dishes I eat are the Chop Sueys; the Lo Meins; the chicken noodle or rice soups; the Chow Mais, which are rice and noodle based dishes. Further there are many “roasted” dishes.
These Chinese food dishes all lack in spices and yet are very tasty. Further, by their very nature they encourage fluid intake since they are a little salty. All are available with the main food being chicken, pork, vegetables, beef or any number or combination of seafood such as lobster, shrimp or crab; excellent foods for the ulcerative colitis sufferer.
With all the dishes, besides the inoffensive and healthy meats, one gets broccoli, carrots, peas, and bean sprouts. These are great sources of iron, Vitamin A and Vitamin C to name a few.
I suggest that if you suffer from ulcerative colitis you consider Chinese food. I further suggest that you shop around. There are many average restaurants that serve Chinese food and one can find, with a little diligence, a great restaurant that serves Chinese food that one can trade with on a consistent basis.
Another benefit of Chinese food for the ulcerative colitis sufferer is that the dishes are conducive to easy adjustments such as leaving certain ingredients out.
One final but important benefit is the cost of Chinese food; the cost of the food is very cheap and is something that you can buy in quantity over a period of a few days.
Also, sauces such as “Red Sauce” are sweet and tasty but don’t hurt the bowel. I have crested a relationship with a Chinese restaurant that will deliver to me even though it is not their policy to deliver.
As I have reported in past articles as an ulcerative colitis sufferer, it is important to be open about your illness. In the case of the Chinese restaurant I trade with, it has allowed me to get assistance that at times I really need.
In my experience, Chinese food helps the ulcerative colitis sufferer in so many ways. It is inexpensive; it helps with hydration; it offers a great variety of food including, chicken, fish, beef, noodles and rice; the foods that are valuable for ulcerative colitis also happen to be good for weight maintenance; it fits in with the concept of eating small meals, and, of all foods, it has a lot of user control of the ingredients.
Lastly, and maybe most important, Chinese food tastes great! If you have ulcerative colitis, it is beneficial!
