9 of the best foods to eat with ulcerative colitis

“Adding squash to your diet can be a great way to make sure you get the necessary vitamins and minerals that your body needs,” says Bragagnini. “Many people with ulcerative colitis can avoid squash, as they have heard that they should eliminate the fibers, but this is generally not the case.”

You may have to experiment with different vegetables to see what you can tolerate best, she adds. You can also adjust their textures, which can help make certain vegetables easier to digest. “Try to peel it and cook it, which can help it soften and increase digestibility,” recommends Bragagnini.

The squash is very versatile in the way it can be cooked: you can roast the winter squash, then crush the flesh for an accompanying dish or the puree for the soup. Return the cooked spaghetti squash with a fork and use the strands as noodle substitute, or use a vegetable spiralizer to do them.

However, you may want to avoid raw squash during a push, because it can be more difficult on the digestive tract, says Bragagnini.