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.