Diet question

[dayng1016]

diet question

I have not been on any specific diet and up until about 2 weeks ago it has been working fine. I would only just have to watch the amount each time. As long as I didn't "overdue" it, then I had no pain, just the constipation. About the last couple of weeks, no matter what or how little I eat I'm hurting. My pain is still mostly upper stomach (right/center) and my main issue is constipation, bloated and sometimes gassy. I'm not nauseous or any vomitting.

I have been doing some reading on different "diets" for Crohn's and what others have tried, but I'm not sure which route to try first. I know it's a trial and error thing with having the CD. I had gotten some information on a low fiber/low residue diet, but, from what it looks like to me, that type of diet is geared for those with more of a diarrhea issue. I've also looked into a high fiber diet, since that is supposed to help "regulate" you, but from what I noticed, usually a high fiber diet is not good for someone with Crohn's.

I really need something to help with the constipation problem. It has gotten really bad lately, the only times I have somewhat of a BM is first thing in the morning, but even then I feel like I'm not "emptying" out completely or comfortably and the "urge" is always there. And then the rest of the day, no matter how bad the feeling is, absolutely nothing. And that totally sucks! I'm over it and getting really frustrated.

Any suggestions on the best diet route to possibly try first? I've gotta do something. I have an appt w/ my GI on the 15th and will also check with her.
Thanks for listening and any advice.

 

[kello82]

i think a good way to get good fiber in without all the roughage is a juicer. i researched a bit about them and finally got one. the insoluble fiber is the parts of fruits/vegs that dont get digested. so insoluble fiber is not so good for crohns. but soluble fiber can be digested easily and its what you get when you juice anything.

so you can throw and apple in the juicer and it will essentially separate the two fibers and then you have some tasty juice mm!!

just somethin too look into

 

[Jeff D.]

Let me know a few things:

How do you tolerate fruits and vegetables?
Do you take miralax? If so how much.
Do you have a stricture anywhere?

If you answer those questions I can help you better.

I hope you feel better soon.

 

[dayng1016]

I can tolerate fruits and veggies ok, the only veggie that I have problems with is broccoli. I have tried miralax, only twice so far and not a thing. I just go by the bottle, putting a capful in a glass of water. I have a stricture in the terminal ileum. On the last colonoscopy in Nov. they could not even get a pedi tube through it.

Kello- I have not tried a juice, but will definitely keep that in mind. I did not know about the soluble and insoluble fiber difference. Thanks for explaining it for me.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Jeff D.]

Okay, I would follow Kello's advice with the juicer. Also, make your own smoothies as they taste great and make it easier to digest. You may want to try ensure or boost as well as they will give you some more nutrition. For Miralax I would not suggest water instead take it in apple juice or tea, something that works as a laxative so you get a double effect. Miralax is the only laxative you should take as over the counter because it does not push the stool through, instead it coats your intestinal walls and breaks down the stool to make the stool softer. If you do not have any effects with one dose I would ask your GI about going on Miralax treatment. One cap full with applejuice every hour for five hours. This will take a day away but it will get you completely cleared out. Fiber for us with the big C is an essential. It's opposite for those with the big D though. That's why you hear many things about a low fiber diet for Crohn's as most get the big D.

Good luck, limit your red meat. Eat fish, chicken, and poultry. Don't eat pork. Eat only a little of starches; potatoes, rice, pasta. Eat lots of fruits and veggies except limit the bananas as they will constipate you.

If you want a specific plan of foods I will be more then happy to help you. I am studying to be a nurse and am enrolled in a nutrition class in college and I have been studying nutrition and Crohn's for the past four years.

Good luck and let me know how things go

 

[dayng1016]

Thanks a bunch Jeff! I will check on a juicer today and try the smoothie route. I do drink ensure now. I'm a tea drinker so using that with the Miralax will work. I had cut down on the amount of meat I eat, just curious though, why not pork? The pasta part will be tough but I will cut back on those, anything to help because this is miserable for me. I very well may take you up on the food plan. I am not very knowledgeable in that department since I have never really had to watch my diet.

I will let you know how it's going. Thanks again!

 

[Jeff D.]

Pork is not a very good meat to eat as it can be hard on the intestines. You have to cook it to the point that it is well done and anything well done is harder on the stomach. I wouldn't quit eating it all together but until you can get everything squared away I would hold off. Pork can also carry more bacteria then other meats due to how pigs eat everything and anything.

For pasta you can eat pasta you will just have to supplement that with more veggies. Cook up some angel hair and cook up in a saute or stir fry pan somce cubed chicken or ground turkey meat, onion, bell peppers, garlic, and cook all that in some extra virgin olive oil. It is a healthy meal that gives you a lot of nutrients.

Drink tea and add some Miralax to it and you should be good. Stir it in and wait about 5 minutes before drinking it.

 

[dayng1016]

Well, I went out after work today and got a juicer, lots of fruits and veggies so I can get started on making some necessary changes. I really don't eat a lot of pork, mainly because my husband doesn't like to eat it very much so that's no problem cutting it out. I was just curious about why it's not that great, but I totally understand. If my husband was a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy I really could do without meat for the most part. I do like my pastas and veggies though.

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate.