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what to eat when flaring????

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/30/2014 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
I'm trying to figure out what to feed my son while he is flaring. The info out there is so conflicting - at least i think so - and this may be because what works for one person doesn't for the other. That said - do you guys have a go to list of what you eat when u are flaring? and what to avoid?? Or maybe food - you avoid always??
All we've done so far is restrict his intake of raw dairy - mainly milk.

He's a typical kid - and loves junk food - its becoming a daily battle..
nono

Thanks again for any feedback.
Posted 8/30/2014 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
I would start with a few single ingredient low residue items first. For example, white rice, chicken, bananas, zucchini. Whatever you feel he might tolerate best. Then I would continue adding a new item every day or so and see how he reacts. Do however try to stick to low residue foods first, they tend to be easier on the digestive system.
Posted 8/30/2014 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
I personally don't believe in foods that help UC. I do believe many foods contribute to our symptoms and by figuring out what those are and avoiding them we can do much better. I would cut out all dairy as a starter.
Posted 8/30/2014 8:30 PM (GMT 0)

garylouisville said...
I would cut out all dairy as a starter.

covered:

"All we've done so far is restrict his intake of raw dairy - mainly milk. "




so my question is ...... why the raw dairy ?
Posted 8/30/2014 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
It's so different for everyone, but I'll tell you what works for me in case it may help.

I personally try to eat as much variety as I can tolerate with my condition. For me, the foods that I have found to make my symptoms worse:

- high fibre, raw fruits and veggies
- whole grain/whole wheat breads and cereals
- most dairy products, though I fare better with goat cheese
- high fat foods like pizza and chocolate
- eating a few nuts and chewing very well is okay, but too many and there's a problem
- I also find that if I eat too much sugar I bleed more

Sounds pretty limiting, I know. But I hope this helps and you can find what works best for your son.
Posted 8/30/2014 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys tell me what low residue is? For me I honestly have never figured this one out. I do know raw veggie and fruit is not good when a flare is happening. Or a lot of sugar etc. Just gotta see what he tolerates
Posted 8/30/2014 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
For me, low residue means not a lot of fibre. I eat white bread, rice, potatoes, fish, chicken, turkey, apple sauce, canned fruit, bananas, soup broths, crackers, steamed spinach, carrots. I also drink lots of rice milk for calcium. I used to eat lots zucchini too but I never really liked it, so after eating a lot of it from January to June I now CANNOT STAND zucchini, ugh. Just thinking of it makes me feel like gagging. :p
Posted 8/30/2014 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, and I find that once in a blue moon when my boyfriend and I decide to go out to eat at a restaurant, Japanese is fairly safe. I went with my boyfriend's family to celebrate his birthday on Thursday and I ordered a california roll and with smoked salmon on top and I felt fine afterwards. The negligible amount of seaweed wrap and cucumber didn't do any harm. I was happy to find out that I can indulge in a little something on occasion because I really love Japanese food...
Posted 8/30/2014 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
My list may not be your son's list. You need for him to start a food journal and see what agrees and disagrees with his gut. Some foods/drinks have an immediate reaction for me (chocolate, caffeine are immediate) and others make my gut unhappy the next morning (tomatoes, fruit, alcohol, raw veggies, seafood, too much fiber) and others that are undetectable until removed (wheat and gluten).

I heartily agree with annadee's suggestions as a start.
Diet modification is not easy because it means changing the way he eats and the way you cook but you'll be able to see if it helps him or not if you keep good notes.

Good luck.
Posted 8/31/2014 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
I personally eat low quantity and items that are easy for me to make. I have to cook for myself so I can't go crazy, especially if i am flaring and tired. I might make a PBJ or a grilled cheese. Sometimes I will eat chicken broth (imagine brand organic). I am just too tired to make anything exciting and the more I eat, the more unbearable the symptoms. I don't think it's the particular type of food that bothers me but the amount.
Posted 8/31/2014 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
usually nothing - or at least not much - what's the point when it hits the exit within 5 minutes of eating - just a ridiculous waste of energy, time, and of course, food !
Posted 8/31/2014 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Soystud- I do that. I tend to be anorexic when I'm flaring, I just don't like to eat when I'm sick. Usually I have to force myself
Posted 8/31/2014 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
I used to not eat a lot when flaring. But I lost too much weight doing that, now I'm a bit hooped because the doc says I have to gain weight before I can have surgery. I was down to 84lbs, luckily while at the hospital I gained 6lbs, though it may be mostly water weight because I had 30 litres of saline solution pumped into me for my pancreatitis.
Posted 9/4/2014 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks again everyone for all your feedback.

UCandme: i guess if i think about it - we are basically following the low-residue diet: white bread, white rice, pasta etc

soystud: my son was a big milk drinker - so the quickest way to cut out the bulk of diary in his diet was to eliminate his milk intake. He still has diary in certain foods he eats: waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, pasta, pizza, etc. If i start cutting milk in that form (i.e. cooked) there wouldn't be much left that he eats.

imagardener2: i kept a food journal for him for almost the past year - but have yet to detect a pattern - the tricky part seems to be how do i know what is it that bothered him - something he just ate or something he ate yesterday - very frustrating!

how about protein shakes - anyone have any experience? good or bad ??

thanks again
Posted 9/4/2014 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
Well I Can tell you what does not work: bread, marmelade, oboy, cheese, milk, cornflakes, oats... Cuz thats basically what ive been living on the past few months and i am flaring horribly!
Posted 9/4/2014 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Google low residue diet to get an idea of what that means.

As you can see from the above, everyone is different! That means you have to experiment. For example, rice is on most lists but it kills my gut when I'm flaring. Watch your son's reactions to figure out what is best for him.

To give you ideas, this is what I eat when I'm flaring:

-scrambled eggs made without butter
-chicken broth
-white bread with butter
-applesauce
-Sprite
-egg noodles cooked really soft
-plain broiled/rotisserie chicken, white meat only, no skin
-ripe bananas

Not exciting but it gives the gut some rest. Definitely avoid milk and anything high in fiber.
Posted 9/5/2014 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I am Indian, diagnosed with UC in June 2014 was in remission for two weeks. But later on started with symptoms. As an Indian not sure what should I be eating. If anyone knows about Indian food please do let me know.

Thank You.
Posted 9/5/2014 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
What put you into remission for two weeks?
Posted 9/5/2014 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
I am eating pretty much same. Also, am eating only home cook. Have altered nothing much.
Posted 9/5/2014 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
When flaring all bland foods are your best friend, eat lots of them. Things that will not agree with you when flaring: high fiber intake, spicey foods, caffeine, alcohol (probably not an issue for your son). Big meals can also be uncomfortable. You are best to eat less at any one time, but instead eat more frequently throughout the day. Good luck, and I hope your son's flareup doesn't last long. As flareups can be hell.
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