what can she eat? always hungry not long after her meals

my daughter is always hungry-she is thin so weight is not an issue-i'm managing meals with chicken-turkey -turkey patties-potatoes carrots...,i would like to cut out sugar so trying to cut out bread and pasta- we have eliminated dairy ,at least the kind you can see like milk and cheese,and she is using soy milk for cheerios probably not good but right now she wants them - it's the snacking i don't know what to give her, if we do all the gluten free and sugar free-i'd like to- i don't know what there is to snack on-like i would with chips or pretzels or nuts... any suggestions?

How about fruit for a snack? A banana or peeled apple with peanut butter on it or applesauce would be easy to digest. Yogurt would be another good snack. She could munch on Cheerios/cereal for a snack, too. It's something crunchy.

I agree with quincy... usually if I feel like eating something I'll be ok. A lot of people find oatmeal to be a good snack. Also applesauce. I don't like either of those so I stick with peanut butter. (pun intended) I also like rice, soup, and toast when I feel lousy.

I have to agree with quincy - from my own personal experience, let her eat what ever she wants, when ever she wants. She will work out for herself soon enough which foods make her symptoms worse and she will learn to avoid them.

Keep a food diary (as best you can) as it can help work out intolerences. The faster way as Judilyn suggested is to just get the GI to test.

Also with regard to pasta - its a great source of carbs and even the bigger companies are now producing gluten free versions of their pasta which you can find in the health food section of the bigger super markets.

In said health food section you can also find gluten/wheat/sugar free chocholate, cerials, chips, biscuts, snacks etc. Just read the ingredient lists on the back of everything.

Learn about fibre as its important to keep up the Soluble fibres and reduce the Insoluble. Soluble makes things more comfortable, insoluble makes things less comfortable - especially when in a colitis flare.

Final suggestion is not to cut everything out eg. bread etc. Just try to keep it to a minimum unless you know there is an intolerance to it. My take is that what you eat doesn't affect the colitis itself at all. It only increases or decreases the colitis related symptoms such as gas and D.

Nut butters are filling and are not as hard on the digestive tract as whole nuts. Baked or canned fruits or well-ripened bananas are all good. Larabar and Cliff nectar bars make good fruit/nut snacks and they are gluten and dairy free. Other ideas might include Pirate's Booty and Veggie Booty, veggie or rice chips, gluten-free cookies. I'd also suggest supplementing her food with Absorb Plus shakes. Also make sure she's getting enough healthy fats. They'll help her feel full longer and omega-3s help reduce inflammation.

Just keep in mind some foods can cause gas or discomfort....it's not necessarily a UC thing.

If one restricts too much, the emotional feeling of hopelessness and depression can take over because of not enough options.

But, some people thrive on restrictions. I for one do not....leave her choices, but do suggest she eat as well as possible to keep energy levels up..that does include proteins and not to always fill up on crappy foods.

She will instinctively learn eating what will have her feeling best or worst.

quincy