Can I eat almonds with ulcerative colitis?
During a flare: Usually avoidIn remission: Caution
Almonds have a fibrous skin and dense, hard texture typical of tree nuts, placing them among the high-fiber foods that guidance for active IBD symptoms suggests limiting. Blanching or grinding removes some of the skin and roughage, which can make almonds easier to manage than whole almonds with skins on.
During a flare
Whole almonds, especially with skins on, are commonly set aside during flares along with other whole nuts on low-residue diet lists.
In remission
In remission, many people reintroduce almonds gradually, starting with almond butter or finely ground blanched almonds before whole nuts.
Ways to make it gentler
- blanch to remove the skin
- try almond butter or almond flour before whole almonds
Safer swaps
almond butter · smooth nut butter on toast
Sources
- Low-residue diet — The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Low residue diet — University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Last checked 2026-08-12
