Gut Healing

7-Day Meal Plan for Ulcerative Colitis

By Our Nutrition Team | Aug 9, 2026

Low-residue, anti-inflammatory meals to soothe your colon and reduce flare-ups. Gentle nutrition that keeps you properly nourished during both remission and active flares.

Sample 7-Day Menu

Low-residue, gut-friendly meals averaging ~1,700 kcal/day — gentle on the colon, high in nutrition.

Days	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Meals	Breakfast: Banana Oat Porridge Lunch: Poached Chicken & Rice Dinner: Baked Salmon & Potato	Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs & Toast Lunch: Turkey & Sweet Potato Dinner: Cod & Jasmine Rice	Breakfast: Rice Pudding Lunch: Chicken Noodle Soup Dinner: Tilapia & Mashed Potato	Breakfast: Cream of Wheat Lunch: Baked Chicken & White Rice Dinner: Shrimp & Pasta	Breakfast: Applesauce & Toast Lunch: Turkey Meatloaf & Mashed Potato Dinner: Sole with Butter Sauce	Breakfast: Soft Scrambled Eggs & Avocado Lunch: Chicken & Rice Soup Dinner: Baked Halibut & Sweet Potato	Breakfast: Banana Smoothie Lunch: Egg Salad on Toast Dinner: Roasted Chicken Thigh & Noodles
Daily Totals	Calories: 1,500 Protein: 92g Carbs: 170g Fat: 48g	Calories: 1,440 Protein: 94g Carbs: 150g Fat: 50g	Calories: 1,420 Protein: 82g Carbs: 172g Fat: 44g	Calories: 1,460 Protein: 86g Carbs: 182g Fat: 42g	Calories: 1,440 Protein: 82g Carbs: 162g Fat: 52g	Calories: 1,440 Protein: 94g Carbs: 130g Fat: 58g	Calories: 1,460 Protein: 76g Carbs: 160g Fat: 58g

Day 1

1,500 calories · 92g protein · 170g carbs · 48g fat

Breakfast (380 calories)

Banana Oat Porridge

Well-cooked oatmeal with mashed banana, a drizzle of honey, and a pinch of cinnamon.

Lunch (540 calories)

Poached Chicken & Rice

Tender poached chicken breast with white rice and well-cooked carrots in light broth.

Dinner (580 calories)

Baked Salmon & Potato

Baked salmon fillet with mashed potato (no skin) and steamed, peeled zucchini.

Day 2

1,440 calories · 94g protein · 150g carbs · 50g fat

Breakfast (360 calories)

Scrambled Eggs & Toast

2 soft-scrambled eggs on white toast with a small glass of diluted apple juice.

Lunch (520 calories)

Turkey & Sweet Potato

Ground turkey patty with mashed sweet potato and well-cooked green beans.

Dinner (560 calories)

Cod & Jasmine Rice

Herb-baked cod fillet with jasmine rice and pureed butternut squash.

Day 3

1,420 calories · 82g protein · 172g carbs · 44g fat

Breakfast (400 calories)

Rice Pudding

Creamy rice pudding made with lactose-free milk, vanilla, and stewed peaches.

Lunch (480 calories)

Chicken Noodle Soup

Homemade chicken soup with egg noodles, soft carrots, and celery in clear broth.

Dinner (540 calories)

Tilapia & Mashed Potato

Pan-seared tilapia with creamy mashed potato and steamed, peeled asparagus tips.

This is a sample plan. Get a personalized version tailored to your calories, macros, and food preferences.

Day 4

1,460 calories · 86g protein · 182g carbs · 42g fat

Breakfast (360 calories)

Cream of Wheat

Smooth cream of wheat cereal with a pat of butter, mashed ripe banana, and a pinch of cinnamon.

Lunch (540 calories)

Baked Chicken & White Rice

Herb-baked chicken breast with fluffy white rice and well-cooked, peeled carrots.

Dinner (560 calories)

Shrimp & Pasta

Sautéed shrimp with plain white pasta in a light olive oil and garlic sauce. Steamed peeled zucchini on the side.

Day 5

1,440 calories · 82g protein · 162g carbs · 52g fat

Breakfast (380 calories)

Applesauce & Toast

Smooth applesauce with white toast, a thin spread of smooth peanut butter, and a glass of diluted pear juice.

Lunch (540 calories)

Turkey Meatloaf & Mashed Potato

Tender turkey meatloaf (no onion chunks) with creamy mashed potatoes and soft-cooked green beans.

Dinner (520 calories)

Sole with Butter Sauce

Pan-seared sole fillet in light lemon-butter sauce with white rice and steamed, peeled squash.

Day 6

1,440 calories · 94g protein · 130g carbs · 58g fat

Breakfast (400 calories)

Soft Scrambled Eggs & Avocado

2 soft-scrambled eggs with a quarter ripe avocado on white toast.

Lunch (460 calories)

Chicken & Rice Soup

Clear broth soup with shredded chicken, white rice, soft carrots, and a pinch of dill.

Dinner (580 calories)

Baked Halibut & Sweet Potato

Baked halibut fillet with mashed sweet potato (no skin) and steamed peeled asparagus tips.

Day 7

1,460 calories · 76g protein · 160g carbs · 58g fat

Breakfast (380 calories)

Banana Smoothie

Ripe banana blended with lactose-free yogurt, a tablespoon of smooth almond butter, and a splash of vanilla.

Lunch (480 calories)

Egg Salad on Toast

Mashed hard-boiled eggs with a touch of mayo on white toast. Side of canned peaches.

Dinner (600 calories)

Roasted Chicken Thigh & Noodles

Oven-roasted skinless chicken thigh with egg noodles and well-cooked butternut squash purée.

Free Tools for This Plan

Macro Calculator TDEE Calculator Calorie Deficit Calculator

Browse Recipes

High Protein Recipes Quick Meals Meal Prep Recipes

Ulcerative Colitis Diet FAQ

What should I eat with ulcerative colitis?

Focus on low-residue, easy-to-digest foods: well-cooked vegetables (carrots, squash, potatoes without skin), lean proteins (chicken, fish, eggs), white rice, bananas, applesauce, and smooth nut butters. During flares, keep fiber very low and avoid raw vegetables, seeds, and tough meats. During remission, you can gradually reintroduce more variety.

What foods trigger ulcerative colitis flares?

Common triggers include high-fiber raw vegetables, seeds and nuts, spicy foods, dairy (for lactose-intolerant individuals), alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, fatty or fried foods, and processed meats. Triggers vary by person — keeping a food diary helps identify your specific ones.

Is a low-residue diet the same as a low-fiber diet?

They're similar but not identical. A low-residue diet limits fiber to under 10-15g per day and also restricts foods that increase stool bulk, like dairy and tough connective tissue in meats. It's designed to reduce the frequency and volume of bowel movements, giving the colon time to heal during active UC flares.

Can diet cure ulcerative colitis?

Diet cannot cure UC, which is a chronic autoimmune condition requiring medical treatment. However, diet plays a crucial role in managing symptoms, reducing flare frequency, and maintaining nutritional status. Many patients find that identifying and avoiding trigger foods significantly improves their quality of life alongside medication.

Should I take supplements with ulcerative colitis?

Many UC patients benefit from supplements due to malabsorption. Common recommendations include iron (for anemia from bleeding), vitamin D and calcium (especially if on corticosteroids), B12 and folate (if the ileum is affected), and omega-3 fatty acids (for anti-inflammatory effects). Always consult your gastroenterologist before starting supplements.