What food works best for you?

[satyrean]

For the longest time (I've been diagnosed with Crohn's when I was 11, which was 6-7 years ago now, and a year or 2 ago I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis) I ate whatever I wanted, but I'm realizing that this is irresponsible.

I feel best on the less food I eat. Almost everything makes me bloated and then I feel gross. The thing I enjoy the most is a frozen fruit smoothie along with some protein powder -- it fills me up for the entire day. I try to eat as vegan as possible, but once in a while I will give in and eat pizza or put half & half in my coffee. Greasy meats and fried food is a definite no-go for me, same with anything hard/crunchy such as doritos, pretzels, and whole nuts. I don't really digest fruits (they usual;y come out exactly as they went in), but I still love them and I think they are very gentle on my stomach (besides the bloating).

I'm curious as to what other people like me eat on a day to day basis.

 

[Saralr]

I don't eat any fruit or veggie peels or seeds. So far the only fruits I can eat raw are bananas and mangoes. I can eat a few raw veggies but I have to seed and peel them. Most meats and fish are ok as long as they aren't deep fried. And I don't do well with some dairy and gluten.

So I have eggs and/or fruit at breakfast. At lunch and supper a veggie and meat. For snacks I eat cucumbers, eggs, cooked apples, cheese...

I don't get very bloated anymore. Now I get joint pain if I eat the wrong thing and a change in my bathroom habits (it can be diarrhea or constipation. I never know)

 

[ronroush7]

I ate more than one protein bar and drank a protein shake. If you have lots of protein, can that cause problems?

2

 

[tzvia]

I second you with the smoothies. Soups and stews are also great. Bananas, yogurt, avocado, white rice, plain chicken, fish, cooked veggies. Squash. A little cheese. If I stick with these foods, I'm usually pretty comfortable.

 

[ronroush7]

I ate more than one protein bar and drank a protein shake. If you have lots of protein, can that cause problems?

2

Pertaining yo my question above, I had a bite of cajun pollok and I think that was the culprit.

2

 

[tzvia]

ugh... if i ate anything with cajun spice i'd be on the toliet for days.

 

[satyrean]

I second you with the smoothies. Soups and stews are also great. Bananas, yogurt, avocado, white rice, plain chicken, fish, cooked veggies. Squash. A little cheese. If I stick with these foods, I'm usually pretty comfortable.

In the bottom of your post, you say "NO coffee." What does coffee do to you? Of course I've seen this mentioned countless times all across the internet, but I drink coffee every morning and I don't (think I) experience any maleficent effects from it, and I've never really asked anyone why it's considered to be such a hazard to us with Crohn's and other IBDs. Is it coffee or is it the caffeine?

 

[tzvia]

Everyone is different. My Grandmom had Crohn's and drank coffee every morning and it didn't bother her. When I drink it, it gives me diarreha and cramps and also a burning sensation in my gut that lasts for days. It also irritates my bladder, making me feel as if I have a UTI. I can get away with like, one cup of coffee per month....but if i drink it two days in a row...I'm done for. I think for me it has more to do with the acidity than the caffiene.

 

[ronroush7]

In the bottom of your post, you say "NO coffee." What does coffee do to you? Of course I've seen this mentioned countless times all across the internet, but I drink coffee every morning and I don't (think I) experience any maleficent effects from it, and I've never really asked anyone why it's considered to be such a hazard to us with Crohn's and other IBDs. Is it coffee or is it the caffeine?

When I use to drink any caffeine "I would have to go to the bathroom pretty quickly. The last time I drank caffeine, I had such awful stomach cramps, I said it wasn't worth it.

2

 

[CDSk8r]

I maintain a fairly strict GF vegan diet, which seems to keep most symptoms at bay. I also avoid fatty and spicy food and popcorn. During a flare (which for me is indicated by pain, fever, weight loss and anemia), I switch to either a low residue or liquified version of the same diet (GF & vegan smoothies & soups in the vitamix) to give my system a break until the pain goes away. The few times that I've been given wheat or dairy by mistake, I experience the cramping and other bathroom-related symptoms that others equate to Crohn's. Diet is not a cure (I still take my meds), but it does help me with symptoms.