Help with food suggestions

[ravensfan88]

I know everyone is different, but I'm just looking for some suggestions from others with Crohn's since we all know there are some foods we just have to avoid or suffer later.

I was diagnosed in March with moderate to severe CD and didn't respond to treatment, recently had my 3rd Remicade infusion and things seem to be getting a bit better. I was told I had a pretty severe case (I've went from 140 lbs to barely over 100 in the past few months and even though I am eating more now, weight gain and malnutrition seems to be a problem).

I'm 23 years old and live with my Dad... we're your typical guys who can't really cook. I can make relatively simple things in the NuWave (chicken, fish, etc) but we're not savvy enough to go beyond that so outside of the select few we rely on store bought products. I haven't noticed any issues with lactose or gluten, fortunately.

Anyway, I'm just curious on people's opinions on some food items and maybe have some suggestions of something I can buy in a grocery store.

Thanks!

FOODS:
Any frozen pizza that agrees with you?
Mozzarella Sticks? (I don't feel as if I have issues with lactose)
Chicken Nuggets or breaded chicken? (not sure if the coating matters)
French Fries (baked in the oven?)
Chinese food? fried rice?
Desserts?
Cakes?
Cookies? (oreos? or a non-chocolate version?)
Any type of taco?

Open to any and all suggestions.

 

[Steven]

I would recommed you start a food diary (make three categoeries safe,questionable,bad). Try starting with a food the agrees with you. For me it's chicken and rice.. Then slowly add items to your diet. Then when something bothers you. Put it on your questionable food items.Then take that food out of your diet.Then try it again in a few weeks.If it bothers you again then it goes in your bad list. Its a lengthy process.But aleast you'll find the foods that agree with you.Welcome to the Forum. There's lots of good info on here with many people who are dealing with same things you are.

 

[ravensfan88]

I do have a food diary somewhat but to be honest, I never thought of actually making categories to list the foods in... I just kind of have a timeline of each day, when / what I eat and when I take my medication and have just figured things out with that.

You make a good suggestion though and thanks for the welcome.

 

[mizgarnet]

Ravensfan88- Beware of the Oreo! Oreos cause me to have some very dark bms. I have no pain with them just the "oh no I am bleeding internally" scare in the bathroom.

The "traditional" rotisserie chickens in the grocery store are safe for me. Tacos or fajitas are okay depending on what is in the seasoning. There are some chemicals that I just don't eat any more. Stay as close to natural as possible. A potato baked in the microwave is a good go to side dish.

Think about getting a slow cooker. There are some great, healthy and easy to digest recipes for them. You toss it in and dinner is ready when you get home.

Wendy

 

[SarahAnne]

I second what Wendy said. A slow cooker is a must, you can get a decent one for under $30. Everything goes in and it's done for you.

Great for those times you are flaring and too tired to cook. I throw a beef roast and some potatoes and carrots in there, or a pork roast with gut friendly bbq sauce.

Not sure what your gut situation is, for me anything you mentioned that is fried (mozzerella sticks, chinese food, fried rice, etc.) is a big fat NO. I had my gallbladder removed which is partly the reason, but if you have diarrhea often, fried foods will not be your friend.

I have found that since I have gone into remission, I can occasionally eat things I once couldn't like pizza. It really depends on how much inflammation and whatnot you've got going on.

Good luck, hope you can find something easy and tummy friendly!

 

[ravensfan88]

I have been avoiding fried foods and buying things like Sweet Potato Fries to bake in my oven (or Nuwave) and they turn out well.

I also found some all natural/organic mozzarella sticks that I could bake, not fry.

It seems to me that I can handle all dairy and gluten products as I recently had a couple slices of White Pizza with mozzarella and ricotta cheese. I've also found I can enjoy a nice glass of strawberry flavored milk! I had nothing out of the ordinary as far as bathroom trips!

As for the slow cooker, we have a NuWave oven which seems to make things very well. Just had a small steak filet last night and it turned out amazing.

 

[Ready2FeelBetter]

Hi RavensFan88, I just saw came across this and thought I'd make you aware of it also:

"Gluten Free Fast Food: The Gluten-Free Guide to Fast Food Restaurants"

Not that it would necessarily solve all of your dietary problems / restrictions, but IBD patients tend to stay away from gluten. Might be a good resource to use to help you "fine tune" your eating habits when you go to fast food places.

Hope it helps and hopefully you start putting on some healthy pounds!