The nutritional habits of 114 patients with ulcerative colitis were investigated by means of questionnaires and compared with a control group of 114 persons matched to age, sex and social status. The differences between both groups can be explained by an adaptation of dietary habits of patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). Patients with ulcerative colitis consumed significantly more cereal products and potatoes but significantly less milk products, coffee, tea, fruit-juice, lemonade, vegetables, fruit and alcohol than the control group.