Christmas Dinner

Having intestinal issues tarnishes get togethers based on sharing meals. As an agnostic, I deeply respect people's beliefs and indulge in numerous celebrations, the most prominent of which is Christmas. It is a time that captures our hearts and feeds our souls. Unfortunately, dietary limitations have forced many colitis sufferers away from being literally fed on Christmas. This Christmas, I am attempting to follow a strict autoimmune paleo diet that is also low-FODMAP and SCD legal. In other words, I am mainly eating salmon and spinach. My symptoms have slightly improved, but I doubt I will survive this Christmas without shedding a few tears. The endless list of foods that I adore will soon be presented in front of me, and I shall settle for a bowl of cold unseasoned spinach instead. Of course, many people have more serious problems to attend to, so do I, but the mental strength it takes to withstand such temptations is astonishing at face value. Regardless, my dream is to be healthy, no matter what, and this is merely a delicious obstacle on the road to some sort of stability. Giving in is not an option, and I would rather avoid regretting my ill decisions.

Has anybody else been through this torture? What have we done to displease the gods and bring this curse upon ourselves?

We used to go to my MIL's house every Sunday for dinner. When I was flaring badly, she usually made me separate side dishes minus the things that made me miserable. That tradition followed over to the holiday meals. So I never felt deprived of the holiday food goodness.

I avoid raw veggies and limit cooked veggies, fruits and fiber. Other than that I can eat just about anything I want. Sometimes if I indulge too much I may get temporarily worse but then I return to my previous condition fairly quickly. I feel sorry for those that have such major restrictions that there is nothing left to eat. In some of those cases I don't believe they are getting any benefit at all and in some cases they only receive a moderate benefit. There are those where it helps though and if you are one of those it is best to be as good as possible.