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low residue diet anyone?

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Posted 2/21/2008 6:03 AM (GMT 0)

I was diagnosed in 2006 with very serious UC, i was hospitilized for 10 days and recieved 3 blood transfusions.  I have since been rehospitlized twice, both time recieving more blood transfusions, the most recent just last month becuase of a horriable flare.

I have been monitoring my diet since my first hospitlization.  I have read mixed things about what to eat and what not to eat on this forum with your UC and i was just wondering what everyone is eating, during flares.  I am on a very strict diet right now, that is starting to get me very frusturated (i'm a college student).  it is called a low residue diet, basicly i don't eat any fresh fruits, veggies, or nuts and no dairy products (only small amount of skim milk), no wheat or grain, no red meat, nothing deep fried and no caffinee (the list goes more in depth but you get the idea) i'm not even eating egg yokes or chocolate!  Is anyone else on a similar diet?  Or do you think this is over kill?  I mean i watch it so much it is out of control, and some times when I am out to eat with friends i just want to break down in tears while staring at a menu or watching them eat the foods that i can't.  It just seems intense when I think about how it has been over a year since i have eaten things like ice cream, pop, fruit and veggies, and i miss them!  I just want to eat a salad and have a big bowl of cookies and cream ice cream!  I know that everyone is diffrent with what their bodies can handle, i just want to know i'm not driving my self crazy watching what i'm eating if it is not really making a diffrence.  Any thoughts/suggestions/comments/help ANYTHING?

Posted 2/21/2008 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
I would talk to your Doc again, maybe now you can start to add things in again, very slowly (since your body is not used to it)? I can't have caffeine or coffee (even decaf) or maybe it's just coffee, but I avoid both.

I'm on a low carb/sugar/salt diet and yeah, it blows, though the no residue sounds a lot more restrictive.

Sorry you are going thru all this. btw, I did break down in a restaurant w/my friends this Monday, I actually had to leave the restaurant, they asked how I was doing and I just broke down........but they were super supportive and well I guess it happens (pred makes me loco!).
Posted 2/21/2008 2:35 PM (GMT 0)

Hi lizzielu,

I'm on a similar diet and think that you're doing the right thing by watching what you eat.  It can be quite an ordeal when you're eating out with friends but I'd rather deal with that than have a flare-up.  That being said, has being on this strict diet helped you control your symptoms/flare-ups?

Since you're not eating fresh fruits and veggies, are you making sure that you're getting enough nutrients?  I've been having fresh vegetable juices instead that are filling and healthy too.  Also, if you're in the mood for a choc flavored treat then you could try chocolate flavored 'ensure' (which is lactose and gluten free).  The sugar content is high so I dilute it with a lot of water and drink it slowly during the course of a few hours or so.

However, so that I don't go too crazy watching my diet, I treat myself occassionally, but make sure that whatever I have is a very small portion, so that it's not going to overload the system.

Posted 2/21/2008 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Lizzielu
Are you also lactose intolerant?
I did not think the low residue diet restricted dairy............. I do agree with the veg juices recommended esp low sodium V8 ( look at the label to see the difference in sodium between low sod and regular... ... astounding).. but white bread and butter and ice-cream and/or hagen daz yoghurt is good..... pancakes, syrup, mashed potato and lots of fish..... It seems tome that if you can get to a stage where diet and drugs make a difference then that is the time to add foods but have to find what works first..... Have you lost weight too? good luck
Cheers, Chloe
Posted 2/21/2008 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
When you're in a serious flare - particularly one where you've been hospitalized three times - you're not going to be able to do the things "healthy" people do or eat the standard American diet. There are alot of folks with serious illnesses, food allergies, diabetes, etc. whose health force them to make modifications to lifestyle and diet. It's a tough adjustment at first, but it can pay off in the long run. A low residue diet or a predigested liquid diet are easier on a compromised digestion, making it more likely you'll be able to heal.

With time, you get to where you don't miss alot of the things you used to feel you couldn't live without. And as you get to feeling better and achieve remission, you'll be able to enjoy a wider variety of foods and add some things back in.

On the other hand, there's nothing that says you HAVE to follow a restrictive diet. Have your ice cream and salad and track how you feel afterwards. If something makes you sicker, increases pain and/or bleeding, then it's up to you to decide if a few minutes enjoyment is worth paying for it for hours or days afterwards.
Posted 2/21/2008 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Low residue does not mean that you have to restrict dairy-- unless you are lactose intolerant or allergic. If lactose intolerant, try using non-fat or 1% milkfat Lactaid or other lactose-free milk. You need good sources of protein, like skinless poultry and/or broiled or steamed fish. Basically you should avoid roughage like nuts, seeds, & raw produce, plus heavy fats & spices, & overly salted/sugared processed foods that may also contain artificial colors or dyes. (Read labels to see what really are the ingredients!) Carbonated drinks are best avoided when flaring, too. That still gives you many choices, such as farina, puffed wheat or rice cereal, bananas, rice, applesauce, plain steamed or frozen veggies, bread that does not contain seeds or wheatberries, graham crackers, pita, noodles. Eggs in moderation are a good protein source & easy to digest. Definitely look into a good multivitamin to take daily; many members here write positively about Forvia, which is especially formulated for IBD patients. Take care & let us know how you're doing. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily for maintenance of remission)

Posted 2/21/2008 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
thank you everyone so much! I will try to go through and answer everyones questions. I really am so greatful for all of your in put and support!

I am in the middle of my prednisone tapper (25mg!) and generaly around 20-15mg is when i start having problems (its happened the last 3 times) But last summer I was able to start adding things in and was doing really well until Decemeber. I just was in the Docs office and if i can not get past my prednisone hump of 20-15 and start having problems again we are going to start Remicade (another thing I am very nervous about).
Beth- I am sorry about your break down, i feel that way constantly as well. If someone asks how I am doing at the wrong moment i'm toast! And i'll even just start crying and have no idea why! I feel bad for my boyfriend, he trys to comfort me but not even i know whats always wrong --dang prednisone!
Rio- the diet i guess has really helped control my symtoms, its hard with all the medications and everything to pin-point what is helping and being the most effect i feel. I drink plunty of Juice (which says its got a full servering of fruit in ever 8 oz. 100% Juice) and i also take my daily muilti-vitimanes.
Chole- thanks for the V8 low sodium suggestion I will for sure give that a try! I am not diagnosed as being lactose intolerant, however when I was first diagnosed with UC thats all I thought it was becuase for me it seems that dairy is a kicker, but it is the first thing i welcome back into my deit when I am at a good place. I love cheese! I have lost weight (around 5 pounds), which is better then the near 30 pounds i put on last year at this time due to prednisone so now I am really watching.
You all are so encouraging! I find my self wondering around the supper market reading the backs of lables of everything in search of new foods and snacks becuase i just get so tired/bored with eatting the same thing every day! I know i just have to keep in mind that it is better then that horrible feeling of seeing blood and the cramps! But sometimes i just want to throw in the towel and give up. I will try to get lower on the pred. and then see if maybe i can start adding in some of my foods. Thanks to you all again!!
Posted 2/21/2008 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
You may want to ask your doctor about Remicade - if the other meds aren't working. That was the only way i was able to get off Prednisone .... couldn't get lower than about 20 mg. Re. your diet - you get to know yourself and what agrees with you or not. Generally raw veggies are difficult to digest ... steamed or cooked might be easier. Try adding things one at a time to see how you feel. I can't eat pancakes, as one person suggested, i know i can't eat citris (and i LOVE oranges), NOTHING fried, nothing with garlic in it, no salt, etc...

I agree - it is SO frustrating to go to restaurants and not be able to eat anything. I can't eat anything with spices in it .... and interestingly enough anisee (sp?) is a common ingreedient / spice found in Pitzelle (sp?) cookies that you get at x-mas time. I can't have that ... one bite and i'm in the bathroom for hours. Its horrible. Its all a process of elimination. Ooh, caffine and coffee is bad, as is soda.

Things you might want to try adding slowly: plain tuna (low fat - in water), rice-based products (like crackers, etc.), v8 is good (though i can't stand the taste). Anything plain should be ok ... try adding one thing at a time ... and see how you feel. I love my ice cream ... at least i can have that. If you can't tolerate lactose - go to a store like Trader Joes or Whole Foods and look for dairy-free ice cream ... its not too bad. Ooh and watch the citris fruits - i can't do them, either.

I know everyone is different - just sharing my experiences. When i go out i usually get ice water with lemon (i've grown to like that), plain rice, and i can eat quesidillas or fajitas ... that's pretty much it. Salmon is supposed to be easy to digest but i don't like fish that much - except for sushi. I don't have much trouble wtih sushi.

Good Luck. Let us know what you find.
Posted 2/21/2008 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Someone here suggested the book "What to eat with IBD, a Comprehensive Nutrition and Recipe Guide for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis," by Tracie M. Dalessandro and I found it extremely helpful and it made a lot of sense.  It's pretty basic, short and to the point without having to weed through too much unnecessary information that we already know.  There are lists of safe and unsafe foods and there are even some safe fruits and vegetables.  She even suggests what brands cereal you can eat.  You can check it out on Amazon.

Posted 2/21/2008 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
thanks gdfairy! I will for sure check it out! I have the cook book "eating for IBS" but i find that so much of it is food that i am trying to avoid so when i make something i have to do alot of modifications. My boyfriend is an amazing cook and has come up with many meals designed for my diet needs and it has been wonderful but new things are always exciting and welcome! thanks again.
Posted 2/21/2008 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
i'm on  the scd diet but i can have most veggies and fruits.  i just can't have complex sugars like pastas, rice, or bread.  otherwise it's great and has put me into remission!!!

Posted 2/21/2008 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
what is the SCD diet? i have not heard of it before? I don't eat pastas becuase of high egg yoke, but i eat all the rice and bread i want (white of course)
Posted 2/21/2008 6:08 PM (GMT 0)

Look up 'SCD diet' on your search engine and you'll find the relevant websites on it.  Basically, you only eat simple carbohydrates and strictly avoid lactose, grains and sucrose.  The reasoning behind the diet makes sense to me and it's worked for some people.

Also, if you're not eating wheat as a part of a low-residue diet then I would think that bread would be out.

Posted 2/22/2008 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
I second the What to Eat with IBD suggestion. It's written by a nutritionist who has IBD herself (first diagnosed w/UC, then Crohn's). It's a quick read and she also gives some recipes at the end.
Posted 2/22/2008 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
The New Eating Right for a Bad Gut and Listen to Your Gut are also good resources for UC diet recommendations.
Posted 2/24/2008 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
I can't offer too many words of wisdom as my diet is pretty strict when I am in a flare too - seems I tolerate lamost nothing.  I do remember very vividly being diagnosed around college age and boy was that the pits.  The hardest part for me was to not even be able to drink socially with friends anymore.  Being 22 at the time, it was almost impossible to think that my life as I knew it was changed drastically.  Ten years later I will say that it has gotten so much better!!  Now that I am married with two kids and we are on one income, there is hardly time or money to go out to eat anymore.  We usually eat in and the menu is always according to what I can and can't have.  Most of the foods in my house are me-friendly and I don't even notice what I can and can't have anymore.  I have gotten so used to it by now.  So, take heart in knowing that this is the hardest part in terms of mourning your old ways. 
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