Made a big mistake!

[EvieBaby]

I recently stayed with my sister who's vegan and after following her diet I realised I actually felt really good. So when I got home I decided to cut out a lot of meat from my diet. Not completely stop, but maybe only have it a couple of times a week.

Last night, for tea I made a lovely meal of broccoli, carrots, peas, green beans and potatoes and I really enjoyed it. But this morning I am so bloated and have a lot of cramping pains which I've not had for a long time.

I know some veggies can cause problems but carrots and broccoli have always been OK with me. I'm wondering whether messing with my diet is such a good thing!,

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

I'm sorry to hear it didn't work out this time. I wouldn't give up messing with your diet altogether though. Sometimes, if you do it gradually your system will get used to it easier than doing everything all at once. Here's a hope that you find a happy medium for you. Xxxx

 

[EvieBaby]

Thank you! I've kind of stuck to the theory that if its not broke don't fix it. But I really need to try and be a bit more healthy. Exercise is painful so I really need to think about my diet a lot more!

 

[UnXmas]

A lot of the conventionally "healthy" foods are terrible for people with digestive problems. I have a lot of trouble with fibre, and now I have a stoma, it can cause it to block. So there are a lot of fruits and vegetables I can't have (except maybe in the tiniest portions), and I can't eat whole-grain cereals or nuts or seeds.

It's not worth making yourself ill over it - just remember that the standard healthy eating advice is aimed at the average person, but if you have a digestive disease, you're not an average person.

You do need to make sure you get all your vitamins etc. There are some fruits and vegetables that tend to be well-tolerated - bananas, avocados, some tinned fruits, fruit juice, smooth tomato soup. Carrots and broccoli I tend to be ok with too, but only if they are cooked very, very well. Potatoes without skin should be ok.

 

[Tuff]

I gave up meat over a year ago, and take B12 supplements. I eat egg whites and some dairy and soy products for protein. Overall I feel much better.
Did you peel the potatoes? I can't digest potato peels at all anymore, and have to make sure things are well cooked. I get bloated from soft drinks.
Low fiber veggies: asparagus, eggplant, beets, green beans, carrots, mushrooms, spinach, squash, pumpkin, potato. Fruits: apricot, banana, cantaloupe, peach, plum, honeydew, nectarine, avocado.

 

[GinnyNinjaGirl]

If you go vegan and don't supplement with B12 - expect neurological dysfunction and nerve damage in your later years. Check with any neurologist to back this claim up.