Understand the human colon and the processes involved in digestion to see why these tips on selecting warm weather foods will keep ulcerative colitis sufferers healthy and active. Warm weather brings out our desire for salt, liquids, and high-energy sources containing fat and sugar. Sports parks thrive on alcohol and junk and the smell of barbecue will drive anyone to hunger. Recipes with high fat and sugar can cause problems. Healing can be enhanced with traditional medicinal treatments.
A very brief discussion of the digestive system is as follows: as food enters the stomach, mucus, water, bile, and enzymes are added to the food. Motion of the system impels the food further along. The bile and enzymes serve to break down the food into a form the system can absorb with ease. Mucus protects the lining of the stomach and intestines. Water keeps the acidity of the contents dilute. Various organs release bile to process fats. [1]
What to Drink in Warm Weather if You Suffer from Ulcerative Colitis
Water and lots of it. Keep a water bottle. If traveling, buy water at the grocery store to protect from changing amounts of minerals that can upset the colon.
Water helps keep bulking agents soft and less likely to get stuck in pockets, along polyps, and damaging the colon.
Mint Ice Tea. Mint is one of the flavors that provide the same alertness affects of caffeine without the irritation. Mint is a traditional medicinal remedy for stomach upset. Additionally teas made with nettles and/or lemon balm can provide additional benefits. Nettles are noted for their ability to stop bleeding. Lemon balm is known for its calming effects. [2] Brew tea by the gallon and save in the refrigerator. Use an ounce of cranberry juice to sweeten tea if needed.
A sprig of fresh pineapple mint or spearmint can add zing.
Salt Needs in Warm Weather if You Suffer from Ulcerative Colitis
After activities or time spent in the sun, its natural to desire salt. Salt in the body and colon causes water retention and slows the movement of the
colon down, something that persons that suffer from Ulcerative Colitis can ill afford. A small amount is good, large amounts will bloat. What the body is often looking for is potassium rather than salt. Good sources of potassium are bananas, potatoes and tomato and citrus. Choose the less acidic choice unless eating a source of fiber like bread.
Two of the highest sources of salt in warm weather foods are barbecue sauce and soy sauce. I replace at least half the amount of soy sauce in recipes
with cooking sherry. When cooking with tomato-based sauces, I cook them until most the liquid disappears into the meat and use half the normal
amount. A light Italian oil salad dressing with lots of garlic and herbs is a good barbecue sauce to add flavor without the calories and salt of barbecue
sauces.
Mix salty snacks with cereals to cut down fat and salt intake.
Bread with butter that you salt can provide a quick hit of salt and reduce your craving.
Good Warm Weather Sugar Sources if You Suffer from Ulcerative Colitis
Digestion often wants a kick of sugar to provide an energized sensation after a meal. One good way to provide that kick-start is eating fruit. Eat
vegetables and fruit at the end of a meal so that digestion is ensuing when the sugar arrives.
Melons are so full of sugar that the can sit inside the bowel for longer than is desirable. Minimize amounts of melon that you eat.
Choose a berry with minimal pips such as strawberries, apples, peaches, plums and others with a large amount of fiber.
Dried fruits such as raisins can provide the additional iron needed.
Fresh cabbage juice has been shown to aid in healing of the colon. It’s sweet and a bit thick and the only turn off is the smell. Adding cabbage to
your salads can provide the same affect.
Troublesome Warm Weather Fat Sources if You Suffer from Ulcerative Colitis
One or two really well cooked all-beef hot dogs might be tolerated. Hot dogs with pork are often more difficult for me to digest. Cooking out some of the
fat will help. Choose a normal sized thin hotdog rather than one of the larger ballpark franks. Avoid the onions, ketchup and sauerkraut that can
increase stomach acidity. Note: although sauerkraut is a cabbage, it is cured using high amounts of salt.
Limit bacon use by having it with some other low fat meat such as turkey.
If planning on eating highly oily foods that will trigger more enzymes and higher acidity, consider taking your calcium supplement with water prior
or afterwards to help.
Shellfish are one of the richer, fattier foods to consume. Most restaurants offer lobster, crabs and prawns with garlic butter. Choosing a lighter
white fish, avoiding the butter dip, and eating a grilled lobster will reduce the fat-acid response.
Cooking shellfish with a lemon-butter-garlic sauce can cook the flavor into the meat with minimal fat.
[1] Merck Medical Manual
[2] Peterson Field Guides Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs
