Dining Advice for Those with Ulcerative Colitis

Eating out when plagued by the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can be a harrowing experience. Believe me, I know. I used to obsess over the possible scenarios, or would be so anxiety-ridden about a possible attack that I'd just skip the menu altogether and just order some tea or sip on some lemon water (without ice, as it would make my stomach feel as though it were crashing.) However, with experience and a whole lot of learning, I've come to realize that there's no need to turn a usually pleasurable experience into an unnecessarily stressful one. Therefore, I'm compiling a series of advice for anyone else who also suffers from this condition just so that the next time he or she goes out to eat, the reader can have some piece of mind. One of the first steps you can take to give yourself peace of mind is to ask the waiter or waitress where the restroom is located. If possible, ask if you can sit at a table fairly near the bathroom.

First of all, it is of utmost importance to remember that eating out is a social event, and should be viewed as such, not as a secretive covert mission of trying to simultaneously manage symptoms and to cover up feelings of "abnormality" in the presence of others. If possible, explain to others about your condition. If you're not comfortable doing so, just remember that many people have conditions that others do not know about. Then let that thought go. Approach your dining experience as a fun activity. I usually let my closest of friends know what's going on in my life, and my bowel problems are no exception. My good friends have been nothing but supportive and understanding. The one thing I avoid doing is to make a grand show of it. I usually make light of my pain, as wallowing in it helps neither me nor my friends.

Another thing is to be selective about your dinner choices. While being selective to the point of excluding most of the items on the menu is unnecessary, being careless about the selection is also not advised, unless, of course, you are armed with digestive enzymes (see my article "Using a Food Calendar When You Have Ulcerative Colitis"). Usually, I pick a thick, hearty vegetable soup. This is a good choice, since most restaurants do offer soup. Not only is this gentle on the digestive system, but it also seems to warm my stomach up. After my soup, I'll usually have a small portion of chicken or steak, with a side of cooked vegetables. Cold foods, as I had mentioned earlier, do a number on my stomach. This goes for iced cold drinks, ice creams, salads, and other cold food and beverage items. If you feel like some dessert, think carefully: the combination of sugar and fat can cause some painful symptoms in many bowel disorder sufferers.

If you're eating out at a fast food place with your friends, and feel that your options are limited, first take a good look at the menu. More likely than not, at least a few tummy-friendly items should be on the menu, such as soup and yogurt. In addition, you could order a sandwich or a hamburger, and remove the items that you're sure will trigger symptoms.

Always keep in mind that whatever the situation, you will be able to make wise decisions, and are not "trapped" by your condition. This is very important to remember, not only to ensure that you'll have a good time during, but also after the meal.