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Are you all really careful about what you eat?

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Posted 10/29/2009 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
I have a really hard time with this because I seem to be nauseous a lot and I eat what sounds good. I have been on Prednisone for over a week now and am starting to feel better, but am starving. I know I should probably be careful, but it's really hard. There seems to be conflicting information out about it.
Posted 10/29/2009 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Not any more than I was before I got UC. I've never been able to tolerate MSG and artificial sweetners (they give me diarrhea), so I'm still careful about avoiding them now. I've always eaten a healthy diet, though. That doesn't mean I don't have sweets and fatty food on occasion, as I also believe it's important to ENJOY your food! :)

The only thing you can really do when it comes to diet is to figure out what bothers you...a food journal is the best way to do that. I never did keep a food journal, because when I was flaring, I just stuck to easy-to-digest stuff (no raw fruits and veggies, no nuts, no popcorn, etc) and once I was in remission I was fine. However, if I'd noticed I was having little blips now and then, I would have started keeping a food journal to pinpoint problem foods. Don't think that you need to avoid gluten or dairy just because some people on here have to!

It's understandable that you're starving right now...it's a common side effect of pred. :)
Posted 10/29/2009 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
I think that it's very important to watch what you eat. Eating foods that are easy to digest (and nutritious) should make it easier for your body to rest and heal.

Also, being on prednisone can often give you the munchies...
Posted 10/29/2009 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Nope, I eat what I ate before. Diet has had very little difference for me either way.
Posted 10/29/2009 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone had success with the specific carbohydrate diet?
Posted 10/29/2009 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
I've avoided wheat and dairy since I got sick, but mostly because they are known to be irritants, not because they make me particularly sick. It's a bit ephemeral really -- I get no immediate reaction so it's hard to convince myself to stick with it sometimes.

When I first got sick and was feeling nauseous with no appetite, I ate whatever sounded or felt good. Mostly it was low-impact foods like rice, with little bits of things like salmon or a bit of chicken or some egg salad or something for protein. Even a few bites of something healthy can help your body stay nourished. And lots of water!

Nowadays it's not exactly "anything goes," but more like everything seems to have the same effect on me, which is to say, sometimes it sits well and sometimes it doesn't. It's just a raw deal, this disease.
Posted 10/29/2009 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
For a while I was on my jailhouse diet of bread and water just to get some energy and stay
hydrated. I kept a food journal but one week everything would affect me and the next week
nothing would. The only thing that really set me off regularly was dairy milk. I switched over
to soy milk and started feeling better. I did stick to soft foods for a long period of time prior
to attaining remission though. As my GI says " If it bothers you don't eat it". Kind of vague
but truthful.

Disclaimer: I have never been in jail. :-)

Good luck.

Later...
Posted 10/29/2009 10:28 PM (GMT 0)

I was told by NP when flaring to eat low fiber low residue to not irritate my UC.  So, that is what I did and do.  I tend to eat what "agrees" with me but I also have IBS so I have learned over the years what I CAN or Can't eat and I get sick, etc.  When I have a bad day I eat only what I know is going to be ok.  I like white bread w/cheese/peanut butter, jelly, honey.  I don't eat artificial sweenters any more, lowfat and low caffeine!

ElaineNY

Posted 10/29/2009 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
I eat whatever I want, whenever I want it- my usual diet is pretty boring- fiber wafers or smoothie for brkfst, fruit for snack, crackers & pnut/almond butter or sandwich for lunch, whatever for dinner- but, when I get a chance to go out & have pizza, or boneless buffalo wings, or chili, I do! It's all the same- I'm in the bathroom a lot in the AM regardless. Since you're on pred, I'd be eating anything I wanted- the first time I went on pred I was practically starving, so afraid to eat at all I was flaring so bad- & you get those pred munchies & you can eat practically anything, & it feels & tastes so good! Go to town with it, I say, if it doesn't bother you. Obviously I'm not pushing anyone to eat tons of junky fatty food, but everything in moderation is good. I don't eat artificial sweeteners either, but I never have. I'm more of a "food in its natural state" type. Unless it's buffalo wings.


Posted 10/29/2009 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
I eat virtually what I please, food has little effect on my condition. I try to keep low residue, and avoid popcorn, artificial sweeteners, raw fruit and vegetables, bran or whole grain, and mayonnaise or mayonnaise-type dressings and sauces.
Posted 10/30/2009 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
I must admit that I've started some sort of variant of SCD/low-carb diet. I was desperate. Starting to flare and really couldn't face another steroid course so was prepared to try ANYTHING, even in the face of absolutely no scientific evidence that these things work. Anyway, now eating few carbs (no starchy things, no grains, very little sucrose and lactose) and it seems to have gotten things completely and utterly under control. It didn't work overnight, but within 3/4 days all that tummy rumbling, gas, mucus, blood just disappeared. It just feels like I'm giving my colon a little rest...
Posted 10/30/2009 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
The type of food doesn't seem to affect me all that much. However, eating too much at one time seems to be my big killer. Binge eating causes immediate pain for days and starts the bloody cycle (and by that I mean blood in the stools, not just the flare!). Try to spread your meals out over time and eat a little every few hours on pred so you're not starving.

Although I eat pretty healthy (I was a vegetarian even before I got UC), having to cope with this disease has made me more keenly aware of how precious health is and thus it's making it easier to make smart food choices. Generally I eat balanced, high fruit/veggie, low fat home-cooked food. Right now I'm eating more white grains than usual because I am flaring and they're slightly easier to digest, but usually I prefer whole grains. I'm also avoiding processed foods, caffeine, and "junk" foods until the body is back to normal.

When I was in the hospital, they didn't let me eat and I swear I was craving eggplant and mushrooms and pineapples.... it was nuts.

And yeah, prednisone makes you want to eat everything in sight. I keep a lot of fruits and veggies around and just try to listen to my body without going overboard.

Food journaling is good.
Posted 10/30/2009 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Spooglesmom, I personally know people that had lots of success with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and are off meds. I know they mention autistic children in the book and some feel it might address some of the autistic behaviors as well. My son, who is the one with UC, tried it for a while but it was hard to know if it was working or not, as he has always been on prednisone since he started with his first flare He is away in college, so it is very hard to find foods for him to follow that diet and know if it works.

I would try it for a while if I were you. The author suggests trying for a month, (which is not easy), and if nothing changes, then that means it probably is not for you. The first weeks or days it is mostly chicken broth, meat patties, fish, eggs, and apple juice. Then you can add cooked vegetables, and later on beans, fresh fruits, most vegetables. You have to be extremely vigilant on any hidden sugars in your food, but since you are the one cooking, it won't be that hard. Once the D is under control you can make almonds breads at home, (they are delicious). She recommends homemade yogurt and farmer's cheese, but I know some people with autism might have problems with milk products so you might wait a little bit before using them. I know somebody who did this for six months and then added rice, (which is not allowed in the original diet), and it is working great for her. There are supports groups in the Internet as well.

Lots of luck.
Posted 10/30/2009 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Plain boiled white rice has been my "saving grace" staple during flares. I switched to lactose-fee milk early in my UC career & that immediately reduced gas/bloating issues, along with eliminating carbonated & caffeinated drinks. Many processed foods contain MSG, dyes, emulsifiers, chemical preservatives, excess black pepper or salt-- all those items can irritate the colon-- so it's best to eat simple fresh homemade meals to help the Pred work better. For me roasted chicken w/out skin, broiled fish, steamed veggies, bananas, apple or pear sauces, pound cake, organic graham crackers, natural lowfat yogurt, salt-free peanut butter, salt-free rice cakes, Cheerios or hot farina, and scrambled egg make it possible to stay nourished & feel comfortably full most of the time. If you're constantly emptying out due to multiple bms daily, it will take a while 'til you feel satisfied by normal food intake. Best wishes! / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc])
Posted 10/30/2009 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
I avoid Gluten and Dairy.. Dairy because I have too, but Gluten by my choice.. My Holistic Dr. Suggested I try that since they are inflammatory foods.. I have noticed a difference in how I feel and my poopie consistancy is better.. I make my own bread and make gluten free cookies which actually taste pretty dang good... I have never baked much before, but now I'm baking a LOT.. and finding that I like it!

What I drink instead of milk is Almond Breeze, the one with a slight vanilla flavor added..... OH - is that stuff good!! I actually like it better than milk!
Posted 10/30/2009 7:51 AM (GMT 0)
I used to eat and drink whatever I wanted. I had diarrhea all the time, but I ignored it--that was until the day I saw blood. Now I'm very careful about what I put into my body. I don't eat or drink anything that gives me diarrhea. My body is very sensitive to foods and drinks; so it's easy for me to know which ones give me diarrhea and which ones don't.
Posted 10/30/2009 3:02 PM (GMT 0)

It is definitely trial and error.  Writing down the things that "bother" you can help later on.  I was tested for gluten and found it is ok for me.  I am also not lactose intolerant although a LOT can cause me some gas!

Everything that agrees with you in moderation and spread out through the day helps!

ElaineNY

Posted 10/30/2009 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Other than things I know will give me immediate problems (mostly iceberg lettuce, gluten), I eat whatever I'm served.
I have been eating something with gluten occasionally, but notice I immediately feel bloated from it so I really try to avoid it.
I can never eat iceberg lettuce.

Otherwise, anything in moderation is best, as they say. Although if it's something really good, we tend to eat too much of it!!

(Ugh, I hope we can get rid of every bit of this Halloween candy we bought. Last year it really did me in.)
Posted 10/30/2009 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
On prednisone avoid sugars and salts. Dont have to cut them out completely but watch your intake. Itll cause bloat and acne speaking from personal experience ofcourse. Ive also been avoiding carbs lately and its helped with my moonface a lot. I generally eat 25-50 carbs a day now..
Posted 10/30/2009 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
When I'm in a flair which unfortunatly I am right now... I do NOT eat any raw fruits or vegatables, umm no dairy whatsoever, no type of nuts or other hard foods to digest or "sharp foods".... during flairs ya very careful, but when I'm in remission I go crazy eating haha... nothing has seemed to bother me and I eat everything in sight, I stay away from caffeine and thats about it just because my doc told me that.. but he told me as well as some great doctors at UNC to eat ANYTHING, just see if anything bothers you and if it does then stay away from it... can't wait to get into remission!!! so I CAN EATTTTT. I'm 6 feet tall and I'm down to 120 from 170! gotta eat!
Posted 10/31/2009 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
This thread has been very helpful to me... it seems like it's not worth tempting fate, sticking to foods you know won't irritate you. I haven't gotten to the point where I'd dive into the diet as a way to stay off prednisone, but I'd rather not be in a position to dive in, i'd rather already be there. The thing I want to feel is some dontrol through diet and exercise. After going off wheat, it just doesn't taste that great to me anymore, at least to power it down on my prednisone stint right now. I'm 20 and tapering, not very hungry, like the first taper. I just really want to eat healthy. Looking at weight gain supplement powder, but don't want to get into dairy or too much protein. Was told not to power down the shake all at once.
Posted 10/31/2009 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Diet has never affected my UC. When I was flaring I avoided things that hurt coming through - spicy or high fiber. I still limit the fat and insoluble fiber to moderate amounts.

I flared for years before I got into remission, and I think I tried (faithfully) all the diets I heard of. Even the ones that didn't let me eat anything I liked! None of them really made any difference to my condition.
Posted 10/31/2009 8:56 PM (GMT 0)

From so much I read here and other places and according to my specialist - eating mostly affects those of us like me unfortunate enough to have IBS also.  I have had that about 30 years.  We are so individual but I truly believe if you don't get sick or worse eating it - it is fine for you since it does not CAUSE UC.

ElaineNY

Posted 11/1/2009 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
I think that a healthy diet is important for a healthy body, including colon health. And I also believe that if one has a healthy colon, then there is less chance that the body will turn on itself and attack its own colon.

However, I also believe that some people are predisposed to UC; so even if they eat healthy and have a healthy colon, their body can still turn on itself and attack their own colon.

I know that if I eat certain foods, I'll be able to hear tons of digestive juices digesting the food, then I'll get diarrhea. And if I'm flaring, my flare gets worse. But if I eat foods that my body can easily digest and that are anti-inflammatory, I'll have solid food, and my flare will gradually get better until it is gone.
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