On-the-go diet?

[KillJoySpaceBoy]

I'm in diagnostic limbo at the moment but I've been having a flare up since November.
I'm at work or school every day (except Sunday) from 8am-4pm/10pm. I don't have a lot of time to prepare meals so I buy a lot of deli sandwiches (I don't eat fast food though). It's expensive and I'm probably not helping any of my situations.

Any suggestions?

Foods to avoid? Foods to help sooth? I'm drinking a lot of Aloe Vera juice, which I like because it's like putting lotion on my stomach lining.

I'm on the swim team so I still need to ingest a lot of calories.

I'm still new at this whole thing. Any help is good help. Thanks.

 

[Rebecca85]

All I can suggest is when you do have the time and patience to cook, make up large batches and freeze in takeaway style containers. Then you just have to take them out the night before. If you don't have access to a microwave to reheat food, you can try making soups and casserole style dishes, and using a Thermos to keep it warm till you want it. As for foods to avoid, you have to work that bit out for yourself I'm afraid, though there's some pointers on our wiki www.crohnsforum.com/wiki/crohns-disease

 

[partlycloudy]

My husband eats a lot at his work and this is what I do. I have all his sandwich makings all ready to go Subway-style so all I have to do is assemble them. I pre-slice tomatoes, pre-tear lettuce, pre-slice cheese, make up a big batch of chicken salad or pre-slice any meat. You an make your sandwiches the night before quickly this way.

If you need breakfast you can make a week's worth of egg and sausage and cheese sandwiches on English muffins at home for a grab-n-go breakfast. I do this for myself as I need a hearty breakfast.

I spend about an hour once a week getting my breakfast sandwiches cooked and his sandwich makings sliced and ready to assemble. You can buy those roasted chickens at Walmart if you don't want to cook yourself. While it's warm tear off all the meat and put it in a container for quick assembly.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Without knowing what your safe foods and trigger foods are, it's hard to say what you should do as far as on-the-go foods. Personally, I work full-time and I like to carry "safe" snacks in my purse at all times. I usually carry a bottle of Ensure, some crackers, and a banana. My bananas were getting bruised and smashed in my purse, so for a gift my mom bought me a couple banana holders. They look silly but I haven't had a bruised banana lately! Here's a link (there are other brands of these, and I think you can find some really cheap ones on ebay too).
http://www.bananaguard.com/

If you've ever put together a bento box, that wouldn't be a bad idea either. If you google bento, you'll find a ton of blogs and ideas as to what foods keep well in a bento box. Things like hard boiled eggs and rice balls would be a good start.

 

[partlycloudy]

Those bento boxes are SO cute. I've been trying to come up with a reason to get one.

 

[Katiejohnsonwriter]

Hi I know that different things work for different people but did want to share something you might look up and see what you think about it. I'm working on the Specific Carb Diet (not for everyone, I'm sure). Within the list of "not allowed" items is Aloe Vera because "...it is associated with IBD inflammation and increased immune stimulation." Just thought I'd share. Apples are ick for me though they aren't "supposed" to be. Sometimes things hit different people differently.

I'm a runner so I too eat more cals than maybe others do. What about keeping 4-5 containers of cut up veggies, meats you can have so you can throw together a salad to bring with you? Bump up the cals with nuts if you can handle them?

I also grind up banana, peaches, almond milk and almonds in my food processor and then freeze in small containers as great ice cream. Pull one out and bring it with you for a fruity snack--if you have a fridge to set it in so it can start to melt. Sooo good and great after a workout.

 

[mizgarnet]

Aloe- only use a product similar to George's Always Active. There is a compound in allow that can cause the big D. Aloe is very beneficial to the digestive system.
You all have some wonderful to go ideas. I have been looking for breakfast grabs.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Partly: I found a really cute bento box at a thrift store for a dollar! It's a two-tiered one, very similar to the bottom one in this link:
http://www.issendai.com/bento/sakura-bento.shtml

Back before I became ill, I'd take a salad to work every day in my little bento box. I haven't used it as much lately. I really should start using it again more now that I know what I can & can't eat.

 

[partlycloudy]

That's so cute, Cat. I bet I've seen them and not even know what they were.