HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Nutritional Supplements during Flare-Ups

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/16/2012 11:18 AM (GMT 0)
So I'm down 10 pounds... (which is good because I gained 60 while on Prednisone) but my Dr. doesn't want to up the pred. this time for a bad flare-up that just came out of nowhere. The only things I can handle right now are white bread w/ peanut butter, chicken noodle soup, and a couple other bland foods. I am so sick of it already and only eat about 800 calories a day. I need a protein/nutritional supplement that is lactose and milk product-free. Last time I flared, I basically lived on the chocolate Ensure. Well, this time, I finally got some chocolate Ensure, drank one, and immediately ran to the bathroom with HORRIBLE pain, cramps, gas, diarrhea, you know, the whole deal for over a half an hour. Now I am completely scared to try it and don't know what else I can try. I know they have an Ensure "clear" now but I'm still scared to try it... does anyone know of any dairy-free protein mixes that I could mix with almond milk at home? The almond milk hasn't bothered me. I'm not exactly sure what bothered me so much with the Ensure, if it was certain oils in it that I have a problem with now, or the chocolate (which I might try a little strawberry ensure tomorrow but I realllllly don't want another reaction, I'm still having reactions due to trying to add in some more foods into my diet), or the milk protein. I definitely have a problem with lactose now but I know it's lactose free. I can even eat low-fat string cheese and certain things, but I can't have milk. So I am lost and confused and would love any dairy-free recommendations on protein/nutrition mixes! Thanks! confused
Posted 8/16/2012 1:47 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Mel!  I am one of the lucky folks who can handle dairy well...so I don't have much to offer you there.  But thought I would recommend one way I put some weight back on...try a banana blended into vanila Ensure(I use choc but it sounds like you dont want that).  I also buy jars of baby food bananas to keep them handy without going bad when I can't get to the store much.

Also, can you handle eggs? They were a staple during my flare/recovery stages.  I also put cheese on them while I scrambled for a little extra oomph.  Some other thoughts to try to get you out of the food boredom rut - potatoes (mashed are a safety food for me), rice cooked well in chicken broth (adds some flavor to the boredom), toast with jelly.

Hope you get a little improvement soon!

Posted 8/16/2012 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
It's quite scary when one of your safe foods gives you such a strong reaction. It may not have been the ensure that actually caused the problem, but merely triggered that response. If you feel really hungry again (usually a good thing) perhaps take a small sip of an ensure (vanilla?) and then wait and see...take it slowly. There are alternatives for full nutrition liquid diets - some similar to ensure, but worth a try if needed.(eg. Fortisip, Boost, Absorb, Modulen...)
Good luck.
Posted 8/16/2012 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
I have been where you are. Probably when you get a little better you are going to handle ensure again. But when?

A smoothie with a banana and half a vanilla ensure (or boost, or whatever ) is a good starting point.

I also found out that tapioca is easier handled than bread, probably a gluten issue... (although I'm NOT celiac).

Hope it helps.
Posted 8/16/2012 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Djin, tapioca as in tapioca bread? I've never heard of that. The white bread doesn't seem to bother me at all. Habs, I can't handle eggs :-( I think it's the sulfur in them. Can't even handle the whites when i'm flaring. The only cheese I seem to be able to handle right now is a 50 calorie string cheese once a day. No other dairy. I can handle peanut butter and bananas, and avocado on bread but even that gives me pain & cramping. I hate all the other flavors of Ensure but I will slowly try one later today I guess... I'd rather find a dairy-free protein mix that I can mix with almond milk though. I just can't really get out to the store and it's hard to have my hubby look for something for me when I don't even know what's out there!
Posted 8/22/2012 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,

Tapioca is made of manioc powder.

http://www.google.com.br/search?q=tapioca+images&hl=pt-BR&safe=active&tbo=d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=ac40ULWBGsiJ0QG94oCIDg&ved=0CDMQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=673

I love it. It's totally ibd friendly.
Posted 8/22/2012 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
I have trouble with all the canned nutritional drinks and I've lost 7 pounds which I really need.. I make a milkshake with 1/2 cup haagan dazs ice cream (lots of calories) with 1/2 c of almond milk. I've only done this for 4 days so not much to report yet.
Posted 8/23/2012 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
I went through a nightmare winter and I can relate to what you are struggling with. After my partial obstruction, I was on a liquid diet which progressed to tiny amounts of food. I could not handle the ensure without feeling very nauseous. I then proceeded to try different protein powders in different combinations and I couldn't tolerate any of them. I finally stopped worrying so much about weight and nutrition. I had pureed soups, mashed potatoes, and I was able to tolerate yogurt, so I at least got some protein and made smoothies with the yogurt. I was able to eat eggs, some days. If you are taking peanut butter ok, that has good protein and calories. The avacado is great for you too. don't be too afraid of losing weight. Hopefully you will get this flare under control and you will fix your nutrition then. Just eat and drink whatever you can tolerate now. I was sick from last Sept-May. It seemed like forever, and I lost about 20 pounds. Now I'm in remission and heading (sadly) for my usual chubby self. I joke that I need "reserves" for my flares. I hope you feel better soon.
Posted 8/23/2012 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
I've recently been through a flare that knocked me off my feet literally so I went through all the phases of wondering what to eat? Maybe try going back to a fluid or semi fluid diet to give your bowel a rest. I know it's hard.
I didn't like being on it but hope to think that it was helpful to reduce flare symptoms.. After that introduce light foods that may help, like rice, white sauces, and easily digestible foods. I started out with mashed potato's and gravy and went on to grilled chicken breast and rice and now I am pretty much on a normal diet.
As for the Ensure products, I know exactly what you mean, for whatever reason I cannot tolerate it either. It makes me nauseous, sends me running to the can multiple times.. I told myself it must be because it's just too rich for me, or who knows maybe there is some ingredient in there that might aggravate an inflamed bowel? I would rather have a sandwich which pretty much comes out to the same calories.
I tried something new today, Lactaid, lactose free milk and I think it works, but have to test it for a couple more days. I didn't have the gas, cramps or bloat after drinking it, but I did run to the washroom with diarrhea, the first time, and the second time, but the 3 rd time was okay, so I'm not sure, the diarrhea could have been from something else I ate, but hey, does it ever feel good to drink milk again. If I'm okay with it, maybe I can buy some lactose free ice cream and make a milkshake. I haven't had one of those in years. I'm in dire need to put on some weight, so I'm excited about it.
As for the Whey protein powder, I believe I read that it is lactose free. I can look it up for you and get back on that one.
Posted 8/23/2012 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
You need to buy lactose free whey isolate, not lactose containing whey concentrate. I once bought a Whey Forumula on sale, and ran with it, only to find out that it contained other milk products and eggs. Read your ingredients carefully. All you want is lactose free whey isolate.  It's easy to find in a Health Food Store.
Posted 8/23/2012 8:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks dorri, yeah I was drinking Lactaid for awhile and loved it with my cereal, but with the flair it seems like I can't have it. I was eating Crispix, which is such a mild cereal, and had horrible reactions to that and the Lactaid when my flare started. :-( I also added brown sugar to the Crispix & milk but I didn't think any of that would hurt me.... flares are just unpredictable I guess.
Gumby44, that's what I have said about my weight gain from the prednisone - at least I have a "reserve" this time! Last time I didn't and I looked SO skinny, people were worried about me. Well, 60 pounds later I look like a different person. But now I'm down 10 pounds and I really do hope to lose more, but I'd rather lose it the normal way by having energy and exercising than having to be on a crappy diet and be extremely tired all the time and not be able to go out anywhere! I hate it...
Djin, so are you eating tapioca pudding or is there such a thing as tapioca bread? Or are you mixing some type of plain tapioca with something else to make a drink?

So I've been too scared to try the strawberry ensure that's in my fridge... but I'm able to eat enough things now that I may not really need it... I just know that I do need some extra protein and vitamins for sure, but we'll see... I tried the Ensure Clear and it was so nasty, couldn't handle it. I might try to find the whey isolate protein powder, maybe they have a flavor that I could blend w/ almond milk and banana and I could have that every once in awhile. I wish I wasn't lactose intolerant, never used to be! At least I can have cheese and ice cream, etc. when I'm not flaring... not so much when I'm flaring though. Thanks everyone for writing.
Posted 8/23/2012 10:34 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck finding foods you can tolerate. Thanks for the heads up on the Ensure Clear. I thought about buying some but think I'll wait. I'm going to add peanut butter to my almond milk and ice cream shakes instead.
Posted 8/23/2012 10:52 AM (GMT 0)
Mel, I'm eating tapioca like the images in the google images. Looks like a pancake. Just tapioca and olive oil (and eggs). It's "fried" without any fat. The fat comes from the olive oil.

But you can do a pudin too, I've tasted it and liked. Check for recipes in the net. it's easier than it seems.
Posted 8/24/2012 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
I would suggest Svelte. It's soymilk based (for those of us who are lactose intolerant). It has only 9 grams of sugar. Allot of sugar is hard on us Crohnies...and Ensure has 20(+) grams of synthetic sugars. It comes in four flavors and is available on Amazon if you have trouble finding it locally (Whole Foods-type places). It has 16 grams of protein.
Posted 8/25/2012 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
I use whey protein powder with a banana,soy milk,and since I could tolerate it,Greek yogurt which is so yummy and has tons of protein. I can't usually do milk products unless they are in some way cultured..then I'm fairly safe! I started this after I did a month detox off all processed foods,refined 'whites', and high fiber foods. It saved me!im going to start again..if you can't tolerate soy milk or yogurt,I think whey protein is a good thing with banana(which thickens it)and almond milk. I also make my own chicken soul from organic chicken broth, organic chicken thighs and. Serious vegetables cooked in a slow cooker. It's very nutritious and even though I got insanely tired of it, it was so good I would have it for breakfast!
Posted 8/31/2012 1:18 AM (GMT 0)

Hi, I'm in the same boat as you are except for I have more limitations.  I am already thin and struggeling to keep weight on.  I can not tolerate nuts, gluten and starches seem to bother me too.  I was on Metegenics Ulta InflamX (for Crohn's disease) the rice formula.  It contains lots of protien and can be mixed with your shakes 200 cals per serving and 15 g of protien.  It's also loaded with vitamins.  I would highly suggest you try this.  My system does not like the rice. 

I am eating as often as possible.  I can tolerate a little dairy especially with a digestive supplement.  I make shakes with strawberries, bananas, avacado, mangos and add walnut oil (can digest seed oils but not the seeds) to add calories.  I was thinking about Ensure too even the Pedi-Ensure but I'm pretty sure my stomach will not agree.  Chocolate seems to irratate the digestive system so I would avoid until you feel better.  As you know, all the major allergy causing foods are good to avoid too (ie soy, corn, nuts, seeds, gluten dairy).  You may also want to give processed sugar a break too.  Try honey instead.  I may give a product called "Muscle Milk" a try at the suggestion of a friend.  I did notice that it is lactose and sugar free.  It does contain soy lecthin (which is ok for me).  I'm not sure about the corn and my guess is there may be gluten in it.  It does contain 100 cals per serving (less than the Metegenics but way cheaper than the UltaInfamX).  I am still investigating.  Have you heard of Muscle Milk?  I am also taking Metegenics Probiotics.

Crohn's newbie diagnosed this year

Asacol 400 2X a day

Metegenics Probiotics

Burried Treasure Liquid Multi vitamin

Vitamin D3 2,000 IU

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply