I've been a vegetarian for about 15 years, and that's been pretty easy. I periodically adopt a really strict whole, raw, plant-based diet, for a few months at a time. It's difficult to maintain, though, largely because eating so many apples, oranges, and bananas day after day gets to be really tedious (and it's rather expensive to get more variety in my diet). Still, I feel so much better overall when I eat this way: more alert, higher energy, fewer aches and pains, better sleep, etc. So, I'm a proponent of a plant-based diet in general. I don't know specifically how difficult it is to change your diet when you have ulcerative colitis, though.

Because of your medical condition, I recommend being cautious and getting the help of a physician or a dietitian (not a nutritionist — anyone can call themselves a nutritionist without any credentials) to transition to a vegan diet. I don't think jumping in with both feet is going to be wise, because I'm concerned it could exacerbate your UC. I searched online and found some resources for people with UC who want to adopt a plant-based diet. (I found one testimonial that claims a whole-foods, plant-based diet put her UC into remission, but I'm skeptical of such anecdotes.)

Here's one site that seems to be practical about requirements, foods to avoid or limit, etc.:

[onegreenplanet.org]

Good luck to you. And, please, let us know how it goes if you do make the transition. I'd be interested to know whether you see any difference in your UC symptoms and what challenges you encounter along the way.

I'm vegetarian and have been for over 30years. I've tried being vegan and the food can be very good. It requires a lot more effort and eating out can be difficult though that's much easier now than it used to be. Lots of people claim health benefits like increased vitality
I think there's some good arguments morally and environmentally for veganism but those are for you to decide.
Why not try it for a month and see how you get on with it. It's unlikely to do you any harm

If you have a duly diagnosed medical condition which is exacerbated by eating vegetables, it makes no sense to go vegan. What good is "morality" if it puts your health at risk? You won't be able to enjoy your moral superiority if you're suffering from your illness.

My stepfather was a committed carnivore. Never ate a salad--called it rabbit food. Rarely ate a vegetable. He was lean and strong and never had a health problem until he was 87, when he had a stroke. The doctor told him that he had to stop smoking and that he was pre-diabetic. He stopped smoking cold-turkey. I told him there was no need to give up sweets. His BP was perfect and he took zero meds. He died a year later from the lung cancer that should have killed him decades sooner. My point? Every body is different.

There's no rational argument to be made that a properly managed Vegan diet isn't "better" for you in the vast majority of cases than a typical American diet.

Vegetarianism is also much better for you, and easier to manage.

It kind of comes down to these questions

1. Do you believe animals suffer in the farming industry.
2. Is suffering while alive less moral than not being born in the first place.
3. Do you want to give up delicious delicious meat.
4. Can you commit to following a difficult diet,
5. Are you alright dealing with certain presumptuous snobs.
6. Are you alright with people judging you for being Vegan, and assuming you're doing it for reasons other than health.
7. Are you sure you're okay with giving up delicious delicious meat?

I have never understood the moral argument for veganism.

I wouldn't, especially since you've found your condition to be more manageable when you consume fewer veggies.

You might find this testimony of interest: [forksoverknives.com] I've been vegan for about 16 years and it's been wonderful. I eat mostly raw. Before that I was vegetarian for 16 years. Once I learned about the cruelty on dairy farms (arguably far worse than beef farms), I realized it was kinder to be vegan. There are so many meat and dairy substitutes today, it makes it really easy to be vegan. My favorite science-based site for vegan information about health is Nutrition Facts; here's what they have to say about U.C. [nutritionfacts.org]

It's up to you I guess. I just think humans as a whole are the problem ie way too many demanding way too much wild habitat.

Is there a morality issue with deer partaking in eating carrion? Then it's not for you.
You could cut down on your meat intake, but i really don't think it's natural for humans to go completely meatless.
Do what works best for your body. Ulcerative colitis is no joke. I've a dear friend who's still struggling with having lost 2/3 of their bowel.

Human beings are omnivores. There are enzymes and proteins only found in red meat. Trying to find them in other non-flesh food sources is futile. Eliminate soy. Period. Man-boobs are the result.

A formal rancher, Howard Lyman, had health problems and ended up in the hospital. During his stay he looked into vegetarianism and decided to try it. Many of his problems subsided. Later he went vegan and has since been a big advocate of this lifestyle "Mad Cowboy".

I did this but took a long time. It is best to substitute different foods for the meat but it takes time to learn what is available. I discovered several things: There was a big increase in energy and there are a lot more foods out there than one can imagine. One closes some doors on meats but opens up even more on other items. Going cold tofurkey is difficult.

Yes you should go whole food plant based. It is healthy as fuck and more ethically consistent with our beliefs.

If eating some vegetables disagrees with your medical condition, I would try as many as possible to pin point which ones seem to be more beneficial. Morally, environmentally, and health-wise (if done correctly), my opinion is that veganism is the way to go. I would personally go all in...but that's my style, and I'm a scientist, so I would research the heck out of it, prod it from every angle, until I've beat a dead horse real dead 20 times. Read research papers (there are quite a few about the human microbiome and different diets), books, join forums, purchase the appliances (juicer, vitamix, etc.) and gather several recipes that sound easy and appetizing.

I was a vegan for several years, including throughout one pregnancy. I'm now getting back into it. If for nothing else, I feel like being vegan is an easy way to decrease my direct and indirect impact on the environment and climate change, as small and seemingly negligible as that may me.

go slowly to allow your body and mind to adapt. cut out the bacon and processed meats first. Eat as close to the state it is found in nature. I usually eat mostly a vegetarian diet. I do have eggs fairly often, and fish sometimes. Rarely ever pork products and I avoid all highly processed foods. You might also consult a dietitian.

No

I was raised carnivorous. I can't go against my nature. I am healthy beyond the norm. Don't get sick. Take no vaccines. Not worried about what goes on my body. Use no medications. In the other side of the expectrum I had refused ever receive any transplant. I just eat what I like to eat. That's my final answer.

Proper diets are highly problematic because it is very much dependent upon the individual -- and I don't mean food preferences. It has been discovered that there are genetic and microbiome components that determine how the body reacts to various food types. I'll try to find the video on this subject and post it with this comment when I locate it.

Okay, I found it. This is important new information that everyone should be aware of when considering anything about their diet such as you are. You should also discuss this with your doctor before you do anything.

Do what it takes to stay healthy...but there is nothing better than dead animal flesh...in my opinion.

I am a salad dodger extreme. It hasn't damaged my health, so far.

I have been vegetarian for last 10 years since my cancer diagnose. I have been farting so much ever since that my personal life is out of existance.

I have a friend who lost her large intestine and now has a colostomy bag due to UC. It's not the end of the world, but it is a permanent change. Manage your disease first.

First, I am not vegan and not, at my age, likely to change: I'm too set in my ways. But there are some good reasons for going vegan, and ultimately humans will have to reduce their dependence on meat-eating. But if you're going vegan, you must be very careful to maintain a good balance. There is an excellent article about this in a recent issue of New Scientist (January 27), but I'm not sure if it's available online to non-subscribers. And if you are going vegan, don't try to force it on your carnivorous pets, especially cats.