Colitis Compass · Demo version

Please read. Colitis Compass is an educational tool built by a patient, not medical advice, and not a substitute for care from your gastroenterologist or registered dietitian. No study shows that diet alone keeps ulcerative colitis inflammation under control in adults: food is a comfort lever and probably a helpful add-on, never a replacement for treatment. Never start, stop, or change a medication because of anything you read here. If you have more than 6 bloody stools a day, a fever above 100.4°F (38°C), a racing heart, or severe abdominal pain, contact your doctor today or go to the emergency room. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911.

Recent advances

Sources: PubMed-indexed journals and clinical trial announcements. Every entry links to the original publication.

Same mechanism as the lab tracker: you download an identical file with your stars and your values written inside it. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Food guide

Demo version: 40 of the 238 foods, picked across every category. The full version rates all 238.

Green — well tolerated, lean on these Yellow — caution, small amounts, depends on you Red — avoid in this phase Research trials & meta-analyses Clinical dietitian consensus Anecdotal patient reports & elimination protocols

Meal planner

Full version only.

Not included in the demo. In the full version, you check what you have on hand and the planner builds 7 days of breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners from it. Only foods compatible with the selected phase are offered, red foods are hidden automatically, and the week prints on one page. Get the full version

Blood work and stool tests

What each marker measures, its typical reference range, how often it is checked — and the interpretation trap that comes with it. Enter your results to follow them over time.

These numbers are never read in isolation. The ranges shown are typical adult reference ranges in conventional U.S. units; your lab's own range, printed on your report, takes precedence. A marker flagged "outside range" here is not a diagnosis — it is a question to bring to your gastroenterologist. Always check the unit on your report before typing a value: some labs report CRP in mg/L, others in mg/dL, a tenfold difference.

How your data is kept. Everything stays in your browser: nothing is sent anywhere, no account, no server, no cloud. HIPAA does not apply here because no one but you ever handles your data. To keep what you entered, click "Save my values into a copy of this page": you download an identical HTML file with your values written inside it. Replace your current file with that one.

What your doctor may prescribe

The classes of medication used for ulcerative colitis in the United States, explained in plain English: how they work, when they tend to be used, what they mean for your insurance, and what gets monitored. No doses, no rankings.

None of this tells you what to take. The choice of a medication depends on how much of your colon is involved, how severe it is, your history, what has already failed, your insurance, and your own preferences. These cards exist so you understand what is being offered and ask better questions — not so you decide alone.

Ground rules

What to keep in mind before applying anything in this document.

How to read the three levels of evidence

The three levels are not interchangeable. They are kept apart on purpose.

Research Clinical trials and meta-analysesData from controlled, published, indexed studies. Highest confidence, but often small samples in nutrition — randomized diet trials in ulcerative colitis rarely exceed 60 patients.

Clinical Dietitian consensusEstablished practice in gastroenterology and inpatient dietetics: low-residue eating, gentle cooking, no raw vegetables during a flare. Few dedicated trials, a lot of accumulated bedside experience.

Anecdotal Patient reports and elimination protocolsWhat patients report on forums and in support groups, plus elimination approaches that have never been tested in a trial: histamine load, avoiding heated fats, no hot drinks on an empty stomach. Mechanistically plausible, not demonstrated. Treat them as hypotheses to test on yourself, one variable at a time.

Personal testing protocolOne food at a time, reintroduced over 3 days, writing symptoms down. Testing everything at once produces no usable information. And a failed reintroduction during a flare proves nothing about tolerance in remission.

Terms of use and disclaimer

The long version. It matters.

Educational purpose only. Colitis Compass is an educational and organizational tool. It is not medical advice, medical care, or a clinical service, and it does not create a patient–provider relationship of any kind. The content reflects the author's reading of published research and dietetic practice as of the version date, and may be incomplete, outdated, or wrong for your situation.

Not a medical device. This file has not been reviewed, cleared, or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition. The lab tracker only records the values you type and compares them with typical published reference ranges; it does not interpret them.

Talk to your care team. Always seek the advice of your gastroenterologist, physician, registered dietitian, or other qualified health provider with any question about your condition, your diet, your supplements, or your medications. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. Never start, stop, or change a prescription medication on your own.

Emergencies. If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Your data. This file does not collect, transmit, or store any information outside your own device. There is no account, no server, and no analytics. When you save a copy, your values are written into that file on your computer and nowhere else. You are responsible for keeping that file safe.

No warranty, limitation of liability. This file is provided "as is," without warranty of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the author disclaims all liability for any loss, injury, or damage arising from its use or reliance on its content. See LICENSE.md for the complete license terms.