Eating Problems

[abbyin]

Who are these people on the internet who write articles about Crohn's, and IBD and tell you that a high fiber diet is the best for those deseases? I've been haveing some real problems lately and suspect it is the whole wheat bread with the 14 grains i've been eating the last couple of weeks. These people are health nuts (not that there is anything wrong with that) but they have never experienced Crohn's. Sorry for ranting, but I'm looking for help with my diet. Not people who have no clue.

Oh, by the way, I'm new here. I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2005 (although I suspect I had it many years before). My older brother had crohn's and ended up looking like a skeleton and had several surgeries to remove parts of his bowels. I consider myself with "Mild to Medium" crohn's. I have many bathroom trips per day, and some days are just down right rediculous. I'm not on any medication right now (unless you consider Imodium AD which I take 4 - 6 days a week to be able to work). I don't have insurance, and even when I did I didn't want to be on medicine the rest of my life so I deal with it the best I can. I try to watch what I eat and rest when I'm exausted.

Anyway, does anyone else have trouble eating so called "healthy food"?

I'd like some opinions of people like me who have real experience with crohn's.

Thanks,

 

[akanderson]

Fiber really messes me up. I try not to go over board with it, honestly. Lately, I haven't had a lot of fiber b/c I've been nauseous. I drink a lot of ensures, smooties. But I totally get where you are coming from. I'm in the same shoes as you, no insurance, trying to eat right to control it. I hope someone answers you too.

 

[Lydia]

Low residue(fiber) diets can help a flare. It takes some experimenting to figure it out. Certain kinds of fiber are better than others. Some people find that metamucil actually slows the D down because it gives some form to the stool. I can handle fibrous food with out a problem unless I am really really flaring. Crohns is so individual that way.

 

[Mountaingem]

I have a Love/Hate relationship with fiber. I can handle steel cut oatmeal, psyllium, ground flax, but ONLY if I'm not inflammed or flaring. I can hanle most fruits and vegetables, but if I'm flaring, ONLY canned pumpkin and applesauce, pinapple works OK, too.

I can absolutely NEVER tolerate cabbage, brussel sprouts, hi-fiber breads, whole grain wheat breads or cereals, or seeds of any kind, and NO nuts, either. These things will actually trigger a minor flare.

 

[amssgirl]

As far as we've found, generally my bf avoids things like nuts and deep fried foods (to some extent), and popcorn in his daily life diets. (Sad for him, he loves popcorn).

When he's going through a worse flare up, he has to switch to a low fibre diet to keep his gut sane. (Honestly, I don't know who those people are either, saying a high fibre diet is good in this case). He's managing right now with a diet composed of lots of white bread, pasta, and amazingly enough one of his snacks of choice is fried chicken strips. He's switched from coffee to tea (haven't figured out how that one works yet). I guess approach each food with caution, different foods work with different people but I would have to agree: sounds so counter-intuitive, but I would approach fibre with caution.

He keeps a nice supply of Gatorade too, so that might also help? I've heard of Ensure for some people to keep up their nutrients, but I've never tried it so I wouldn't have great info on that.

All the best!

 

[abbyin]

I've found that pasta, tuna, chicken, cheese (and I've switched to tea from coffee too) is tolerable. I know we're all different in what we can eat and I'm just trying to figure out if some of the more "taboo" food is something we all have in common. Maybe we can warn each other

Anyway, thanks for your responses. Sometimes I just feel very frustrated when I'm doing really well for a week or two and then something I eat blows it out of the water.

You all have a great evening!

 

[rygon]

This thread may be of some help http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=17707

I know how you feel. Ive always tried to eat healthy and now im finding a lot of foods just dont agree with me anymore. Virtually all cereals are out except coco pops, rice crispies and porridge. Any whole wheat foods play up hell, and caffine (so no tea, coffee, coke etc)

As said above its very annoying when you start getting better then eat the wrong food, sets you back another3+ days I find

 

[outlier]

Going overboard with anything is bad news in general. the reason why fiber is "good" is because it's hard to digest so it moves everything through. However if you have digestion issues things that are hard to digest may not be the way to go.
I avoid anything with extra fiber, but do not avoid it. I am a big fan of leafy green veggies and would list salad as my favorite food (i know that's odd) but now I only eat a half a portion.

 

[Mountaingem]

LOL Misty-great idea, let them drink prep! I can have some fiber, but usually in small doses, and specific kinds. I'm the same as rygon about most cereals, but Steel cut oatmeal is OK for me.

I make my own applesauce too-more fiber, less sugar. I also eat canned pumpkin for the fiber-either doctored up like pumpkin pie, or as a side dish with a little I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray (too much oil upsets my bowel, too) and a little salt. Libby's brand is best. Three bean salad and white bean soup also agree with me. But all bets are off if I'm flaring; I stick to no fiber in anything then.

But whole grain breads, nuts, seeds, fruits with skin on them, green drinks/juices, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, most cereals and anything whole wheat are a big no-no, anytime for me.

 

[scottmyster]

HI Abbyin, like the others said stay away from anything that says high in fibre, especially whole wheat products. some people do go with the SCD diet. and can google it on the web and give that try. best wishes.

scott

 

[Tyra]

Brussels sprouts and spinach

I can't eat Brussels sprouts too. Interestingly, spinach has similar levels of fiber but I tolerate it better

I can absolutely NEVER tolerate cabbage, brussel sprouts, hi-fiber breads, whole grain wheat breads or cereals, or seeds of any kind, and NO nuts, either. These things will actually trigger a minor flare.

 

[abbyin]

Terrienut - you are right on

Thanks everyone for your responses. Good to know that the things that bother me are pretty common. I just get so tired of hearing all about this healthy eating (my kids preach to me all the time). I think they are finally getting that my body is different. And I don't think they should let writters write about things they know nothing about. I'm in the process now of trying to really figure out my trigers. So far I know that wheat bread and high fiber foods are not my friend oo:

 

[Mountaingem]

Healthy eating is great for already healthy bodies-when your digestive tract is like ours, you gotta find a new healthy eating-one that's good for you AND doesn't cause your colon any issues.