Questions about remission and food

[Jer's Girl]

So after almost 15 year with this disease, I am finally in a real remission (I hope at least!).

So for those of you that have been in remission before or are doing well now, I have a question.

When you are in remission, do you eat whatever your body can tolerate, or do you still eat for your Crohns?

I can eat pretty much what I want right now, including nuts and seeds without pain (sorry if that sounds like bragging). Lettuce is not so good, so I avoid that. I haven’t even been willing to try beef yet. Do you think it is okay to eat what you want while you can and just listen to your body, or do you think it is safer to just try to stick to a Crohn’s specific diet just as a precaution? What do the rest of you do?

Also, can dairy be the cause of belly bloat? Even if it does not go along with pain or gas? I might just be gaining weight differently now that I am getting close to 30, but I keep getting a hard bloated stomach that comes and goes, so that doesn’t sound like normal weight gain.

Being in Remission is fun! My path to remission was a temporary ostomy. It changed/saved my life. I hope that you all find your paths too!

My only problem now is gaining weight since my body is now able to tolerate food/ absorb nutrients properly for the first time since I was 14.

Thanks everyone for your help and advice! Hope you are all well!

 

[ameslouise]

I don't have any advice, but I just wanted to say how happy I am for you that you are feeling so great!

Take care and take it EASY! Don't push yourself (or your new eating habits) too far too quickly!

- Amy

 

[Jer's Girl]

Thank you so much Amy! It has been a long road, but what a beautiful place it led to! I know surgery isn't for everyone, but I just really want people to know that an ostomy isn't the end of the world! It really was the answer for me.

 

[sawdust]

Firstly, congratulations! This is fantastic news, no one more ready than you are, I'll bet.

As I mentioned in some other thread around here, I've really started to depend on my body to tell me what it needs, both in flare and in remission. I wish I could better explain it, but the difference between food cravings from my body and "unwise" food cravings from my tastebuds has become apparent to me. Maybe I tend toward being overly cautious, but going into flare isn't worth it to me. For any food I might miss or crave, ten minutes of yum never outweighs these downsides for me personally.

I keep a food diary, which has helped me figure out the things that I respond well to. And, when I'm feeling well, I definitely try to keep things in moderation. I learned a big lesson ahead of my most recent flare by changing my diet entirely. I didn't eat anything I wouldn't have here or there when feeling well, but the difference was that I ate only these "risky" items as part of that diet. Lesson learned.

Hopefully you get some other good advice here. I really just wanted to cheer your freedom from 15 years! woot!

EDIT: I haven't had surgery, so I guess my reply was anecdotal at best. I realized I hadn't mentioned that. Also, the low fiber/residue diet, while exactly what I need when flaring, isn't what I want long term, so I'm always looking to add to it. It's the comfort zone I have when things aren't going well, but there isn't alot of varied nutrition in it, so I'm always anxious to get some other foods in the mix.

 

[Astra]

Aw Well Done Nicole, HURRAH!

My gastro man gave me the R word back in November! I'm doing really well and eating whatever takes my fancy with no symptoms. But I didn't have surgery etc
So I haven't got any advice neither but
I bet you'll be ok eating what you want cos food doesn't cause inflammation, only symptoms. Just introduce them back into your diet slowly.
Good Luck
xxx

 

[Jer's Girl]

Thanks Sawdust! I completely understand what you mean about listening to your body. Sometimes I look at something and know that it would be wrong for my body that day, but it might be perfectly fine (pain wise) another. I totally believe that our bodies are telling us what we need, we just have to learn how to listen. That is a good diet secret too actually.
Thank you Joan! I am so glad that you are doing well too! All of our paths to health are different, just as our diseases present themselves differently. I’m glad you got to the promise land without needing surgery.

 

[MADiMarc]

No advice as I have never achieved true remission either but wanted to say "go you!". I am so happy you are feeling better and hope it continues forever.
Michele

 

[maxibear]

glad your doing well. have been in remission for 9 months, but i never deviate from my prison camp diet, no eating out ever, do all my own cooking and the blander and softer, the better. at least for me

 

[Jer's Girl]

Thanks for the advice and kind words every one!

 

[My Butt Hurts]

I've been in remission for two years now on Remicade, and I am still careful what I eat. I will never eat popcorn again as long as I live.
I still skip raw onions, and apple cider.
I can eat most other things in moderation. I can eat a handful of blueberries, but I ate a 1/2 pint the a week ago and had belly problems the next day. I still eat a somewhat low fiber/low residue diet.
I wouldn't overdose on things that have bothered you in the past, but keep it in moderation, and introduce things slowly and you should be fine.
Enjoy your remission!

 

[chrisnsteph1022]

I was in a med-free remission for 7 years and could eat anything. A few things would give me diarrhea the next day, but no pain or blood or anything. I attributed it to IBS.

 

[dreamintwilight]

I would agree with MBH's advice. I am not yet certain I am in remission (but just had a successful scope!) and haven't had surgery, but I would moderate the foods that have been on your no-no list for a while or that tend to bother people with Crohn's. I've recently added some foods back into my diet that have skins including beans, but I limit them to small amounts. I also notice, like MBH, that I can be okay with certain foods like spinach, but if I eat too much or eat it several days in a row I pay the price for it. So, take things slowly and listen to your body. Enjoy your remission! You've had a long journey getting there!

 

[Jennjenn]

I am sooooo happy for you that you are feeling well !!!

As far as eating what you would like, I would go with what MBH and Marisa said. I would eat things in moderation that once bothered you before. I would not over do it. In my opinion I would still try to avoid certain things just to be on the safe side. I would teak your diet to how you know your body best of what you can and cannot handle.

But again I am sooooo happy for you that you are doing well !!

 

[Lydia]

I try to eat healthy but if there something I really want I eat with little consequence. There are things that people without crohns cant handle eating, so I dont think it means anything crohns related necessarily. I say eat what you want, but listen to your body.

 

[mario]

Hi. Soooooo pleased for you!! And i know exactly how you feel. A tempory ostomy saved my life too. Two years on and have had no flares at all. I eat what i like but avoid too much dairy. I don't know whether it would do any harm, but for some reason i find it icky!
I also believe in the 'listen to your body' regime.
My problem for a long time was fatigue. It took me a year to feel energetic again!! My doc said that when you have been so ill (down to not much more than 5 stone) it can take a very long time to rebuild muscle etc. Anyway that's not a problem now either!! I sincerely hope you are as lucky as i have been. Yup remission is fun. Enjoy!!!

 

[Hope]

Thank you so much Amy! It has been a long road, but what a beautiful place it led to! I know surgery isn't for everyone, but I just really want people to know that an ostomy isn't the end of the world! It really was the answer for me.

That is wonderful!!! I am so happy that you feel great! I agree with you!! An ostomy is not the end of the world...not having one for me would have been!!
It was def the answer for me as well!!

I do avoid seeds, skins and nuts still. I also follow a "crohns friendly" diet.
I steer away from it from time to time, but generally--I try to stick to it.
However, if you can eat all of those items without any bother--good for you! Just take it slow! Good luck and I'm glad you're feeling great!

 

[acg101]

Hi Nicole - its so great hearing that you are doing so well. I understand the weight gain as I too gained lots of weight for the first time in 15 years as I too absorb food without pain.
From my experimenting with foods, I avoid cow milk products (goat/sheep is ok) as it causes gas and gets absorbed into bad cholesterol. I limit my beef intake to twice a month (as I love beef) and try not to eat any breads.

Keep up the wonderful news!
From your fan club and friend
Dan