Treating Ulcerative Colitis with Organic Foods

Even after I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis it was hard for me to change my eating habits, such as leaving out animal fats, which I knew were harmful to someone with ulcerative colitis. This of course eliminated fried foods, but, even so, I viewed organic foods as something quite questionable in terms of effectiveness. I saw organic foods as something grown by communes. I was wrong. Organic foods are much more than a fad for people with a "back to nature" mentality. Organic foods are effective and can help you treat your ulcerative colitis.

Basically, organic foods are grown without pesticides. Suffering from ulcerative colitis, I couldn't figure out why, even when I was eating right, I would have bowel irritation. Part of the problem was the pesticides. When I finally did switch to using organic foods, my digestion and day-to-day comfort increased dramatically.

The biggest (and only) disadvantage to using organic foods is the cost. An example would be a quart of regular strawberries costing $2.75 compared to $4 for a quart of organic strawberries. The difference in price cannot be cast in concrete but that is an example and, there is no question, if you change to organic foods you will spend more money. However, as an ulcerative colitis sufferer it is definitely worth the comfort to me.

There are many, many foods that are organic. When most people think of organic food, they think of fruits and vegetables, and, fruits and vegetables are definitely key players.

Oranges have vitamin C; carrots have Vitamin A; and, Bananas have Potassium to name just a few foods that can be grown as an organic food. However, broccoli (iron and B12), melons (Vitamin A), grapes (nitric oxide and reduction of lipids), pears (Vitamins B1 and B6) and peas (Iron) are also extremely effective. As an ulcerative colitis sufferer all these foods are beneficial.

Pure water would fall under the organic food umbrella, and, with the need for hydration being so important to an ulcerative colitis sufferer, this is a way to get your fluids without the negative influence of treatment chemicals.

Nothing surprised me more than the organically raised salmon. This fish provides folic acid and fish oil both which are Cancer preventatives (an illness that can develop from ulcerative colitis), and, both are instrumental in preventing ulcerative colitis flares.

The easiest place to buy organic food is in a supermarket. Virtually every major grocery store understands the importance and necessity of carrying organic food. In the summer, most cities have a "Farmer's Market" and organic food can even be purchased online; however, that can get expensive.

I can honestly say that as an ulcerative colitis sufferer, I have benefited greatly from organic foods. They taste better and they make me feel better on a day-to-day basis.