Tomatoes and ulcerative colitis: what should you know?

Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation in the lining of the large bowel. During a flare, acidic foods, skins, seeds or a large portion may feel harder to tolerate, but a food reaction does not prove that the food caused inflammation. Abdominal Pain and Diarrhoea can have several causes. Removing many foods may reduce energy and nutrients, so decisions should be individual and reviewed.

Keep a diary of tomato form, portion, timing and bowel symptoms. If tomatoes seem to worsen symptoms, discuss a short, structured avoidance trial with your care team and reintroduction plan. Continue prescribed ulcerative-colitis treatment unless your clinician changes it. A GP Consultation can help if symptoms are new, changing or difficult to manage.

Contact your care team promptly for frequent bloody stools, worsening pain, fever, dehydration, marked weakness or inability to keep fluids down. Seek urgent help for severe abdominal swelling, severe pain, fainting or confusion. New bowel symptoms should not be attributed to tomatoes without assessment; your clinician may consider appropriate tests, including Colorectal Cancer Screening when relevant to your age and history.

Ask whether your symptoms suggest a flare, which foods are worth adjusting, how to maintain nutrition, and when monitoring or screening should be arranged.