Whats left for me to eat?

[alin815]

Hi,
For the past couple weeks my flare has just gotten so much worse, I am just not sure what to eat anymore? I am allergic to fruits, vegetables, nuts, peanuts, soy, cinnamon, (probably forgot a few things), plus I don't eat meat unless kosher and still rare because it is extremely expensive, basically everything except wheat and milk. Recently I have been reduced to oyster crackers, basically saltines without the sharp corners that hurt, however I eat a box that is supposed to have 26 servings in about 1-2 days, considering that I eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I occasionally eat dinner, tonight I had pizza from a place I can usually eat during flares. The problem is that I am reduced to Milk which we keep running out of too, oyster crackers, and sometimes water however that can make me nauseous sometimes. I tried having rice tonight and I was basically shoving it down, I just have no appetite. Currently I am sitting in bed my stomach on fire and also exploding. I am starving but there is nothing to eat and I just don't have any appetite to. The problem is that I have to eat, because the meds I am currently taking need to be with food. The last time I was in a bad flare I didn't eat, and although I was hungry I was better, however that led me into the ER to get nutrients. I am on Entocort (no idea how to spell) currently weening off at 2 pills a day to take Mexatrexate (still don't know how to spell) and Flintstones kids iron tablets, considering I am already dangerously low on iron. So really what in the world can I eat? :sign0085:

 

[Axelfl3333]

Fish,chicken,homemade soup with veggies well blended use stock cubes,ice cream,yoghurt and did I mention get to the doctors

 

[UnXmas]

You'd need to be eating consistently even if you weren't on meds that have to be taken with food.

Have you asked your doctor about getting meal replacement supplements like Fortisip and Ensure? These contain all the vitamins and minerals you need, so will help if you have deficiencies and they are like milkshakes, but not too thick, and are easy to get down.

Crackers are good. Can you manage other plain/bland foods like white bread/toast, rice (I know you said you tried it, but even if it's an effort to get it down, it's less likely than many foods to give you problems later), mashed potato? Semi-liquid puddings like icecream and custard are often easy.

What type of allergy do you have to fruits and vegetables? Can you not eat any at all, or is it just that they make your symptoms worse? Bananas and avocados are the easiest fruits to digest.

Low fibre breakfast cereals like Cornflakes and Rice Krispies are easy too.

 

[alin815]

UnXmas, I have had the meal supplement milkshakes before, the problem is that they have soy and most taste bad. I have been eating vanilla pudding and that is working. My allergies to fruits, vegetables and everything else has been since I was little and is getting worse, It is not in any connection to the Crohn's other than the fact that I cant eat that and basically I cant eat much. I can have just an itching throat all day to as severe as Anaphylaxis (peanuts and nuts). I tried cereals, I was eating plain special K because that has some fiber, however now it is bugging my stomach.

 

[Clash]

There are elemental formulas that do not have soy, if you are concerened about taste you could do over night feeds by NG tube. It might be something to discuss with your GI since you are having trouble getting the needed nutrients.

 

[Volcano]

MCT oil, or coconut oil requires only saliva to digest and is readily absorbed to be transferred to the liver immediately for energy. I also recommend flax seed oil 15mL twice daily. If you can afford cod liver oil that is a good one to include.

 

[alin815]

Clash- I had an NG tube for a week in the hospital when I had a small bowel resection, and I am not going to have that again!
Volcano-I am not sure what MCT oil is, but I am very allergic to coconut near Anaphylaxis , also I am not sure about flax seed and cod liver.

 

[AJC - Australia]

hi Alin - when i am flaring i cannot really eat at all. It just becomes really really really really really bland. Hopefully there are a few foods, soups you can eat and not cause you pain. I think if you can eat something and it doesnt cause you pain, eat a bit of it. just a little bit.

good luck.

when you get well again you will be able to eat all kinds of things with no pain!!!

 

[Volcano]

Clash- I had an NG tube for a week in the hospital when I had a small bowel resection, and I am not going to have that again!
Volcano-I am not sure what MCT oil is, but I am very allergic to coconut near Anaphylaxis , also I am not sure about flax seed and cod liver.

MCT oil is known as medium chain triglyceride oil. It is a concentrated dose of MCT's that requires only saliva to digest. Once absorbed it goes straight to the liver unlike long chain fatty acids.

I forgot to mention another gem. Hemp oil. The omega 3-6 ratio is astounding (1:3) although not as easy to assimilate as MCT oil.

 

[PsychoJane]

Hi Alin,
Are you allergic to all and every fruit and vegetable? Just trying to understand, I have what is called oral allergy syndrome which is a concommitant allergy between certain pollens and fruits. In my case, I have oral reaction to fresh hazelnut, peach, plum, apricot, nectarine, cherry, certain types of apples. Once these are cooked (sometimes just peeling is fine), I don't react to the allergen protein. Is there any fruit or vegetable that you can have in their cooked form as it breaks down the allergens in them?

I'll agree with others, there are meal substitute drinks that do not contain any soy or, you could go to a natural store and buy yourself some protein such as whey protein that you could shake with milk or water... just don't over-do protein either as this can be harmful to your body in excess.

 

[mickey]

Graham crackers, I was told, were actually invented for upset bellies. They are probably better for your stomach than regular saltines. Try drinking ginger water (take small piece of ginger, peel it and drop in tea kettle). You can drink warm or room temp. Cool drinks may cause some stomach cramping, so avoid that. Grains are usually tough on stomachs, so surprised you are able to eat that. I would suggest that perhaps certain types of veggies cause trouble (i.e., rooted plants, shade ...), instead of all of them? May try to juice some and see if a mingling of sweet peppers can work for you? I am not great with fruit, but found pears to be acceptable, if softer (or juiced). That will sweeten the veggie juice, so perhaps try that? Fish is easy to make and healthier for you than meat, so perhaps worth a try? You can try hemp milk, instead of dairy milk and see if that helps reduce symptoms a well. Good luck!
I would also suggest hemp cereal as an option.

 

[Essieluv]

Maybe someone already mentioned this, but protein or nutrition shakes without soy? Or what about rice pudding? Can you have sunflower seed butter? That could be good on crackers, if you can tolerate it. Vanilla milkshakes might be nice, too. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time! Hang in there, and I pray that things get better.