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How to politely decline trigger foods?

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Posted 8/13/2011 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,

Does anyone have any good ideas about what to say when you have to turn down food? I'm at my husband's grandparent's house with a lot of family, some who know I'm having trouble and some who don't. I don't like going into it, so does anyone have any suggestions? We're having chocolate cake for dessert and spaghetti for dinner :(

Thanks,
Ashley
Posted 8/13/2011 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Ashley

The best way to attack these situations is delicately but, honestly... let them know that chocolate cake and spaghetti are 2 of your most favorite foods but, at this point in time neither of them like you.. they make you very ill and uncomfortable when you eat them... I know it is difficult to approach the subject, but if they are family, eventually they will be aware of the issues at hand.. why put it off and eat food that you know is going to make you ill???

I am sorry if this is not helpful to you.. I have always been one to take the 'bull by the horns' so to speak...

Good luck...
Reach for the Sunshine... rainbows will follow...
Sandi
Posted 8/13/2011 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Ashley,

I don't really like discussing it either but it's hard to avoid food like that in a public/party type of setting without saying something. I've been speaking up but trying to keep it short to avoid getting into all of the details. Usually, I just say that I'm having some stomach problems and need to eat really bland food right now. Then I'll kind of change the subject by asking the person I'm talking to something else, like hey when is so and so going to get here, you get the idea.

Can you still eat the spaghetti plain? That's easy for your host, they can just set some aside for you without sauce in it, boring I know. If there are some reflux friendly veggies they can steam up you can eat those with the spaghetti?

I've had to go to a few cookouts recently and I've brought my own food, just plain chicken for the grill, already cooked broccoli, bottled water, and any little snacks that I can handle such as crackers.

Good Luck!
Posted 8/13/2011 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning,

When you have a medical reason for being on a restricted diet I feel it is polite to reply by simply saying " no thank you" when offered a food that will cause us harm.  Not only do  I have GERD but I also have high  cholesterol so I must say no to certain foods.  If the hostess insists I may politely say " I would love to as the food looks delicious but due to a health problem I am on a very restricted diet." and that would be the truth.  smhair

Good luck,

Kitt

Posted 8/14/2011 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much ladies! I rolled all of your advice into one and it seemed to go over well.

Hope everyone is feeling well today!
Ashley
Posted 8/17/2011 10:12 AM (GMT 0)
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2153025

You might like to read through my comments on this thread; I have food allergies as well as GERD so socialising has always had it's challenges!
Posted 8/17/2011 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, my somewhat close neighbor MMM :)

Thank you for suggesting that post! It was very informative and I appreciate your words of wisdom.

Small side note - I could have cried reading your posts about how water is a trigger for you, as it is for me also. I, too, have interstitial cystitis, which is fortunately controlled with - you guessed it - adequate water consumption. What a horrible cycle that is.

Thanks again for your suggestions, I will use them in the future. I hope you're feeling well!

Greetings and healing thoughts from Finland,
Ashley
Posted 8/17/2011 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ashley,

Yes, IC is no more fun than GERD! We're just back from France, also known as The Land of no Toilets! (luckily my IC was ok but it was tricky drink wise as bottled water tends not to suit my bladder and the hard tap water in the Dordogne doesn't suit my guts, but I managed OK by sort of alternating).

I have another thread somewhere about filtered water; I discovered our jug filter makes our neutral tap water into acid with a pH of 5. I stopped drinking that and now drink boiled tap water or just tap water (boiling gives it a pH of 8, not boiled it is around neutral). Once I changed that my tolerance to drinks of water improved quite a bit!

I'm also taking marshmallow capsules for my bladder, well I stopped whilst away, but will get going again. It's supposed to be soothing for stomach and bladder.

With greetings from England!

MMM x
Posted 8/17/2011 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
MMM,

How funny, we just got back from Paris in February and it was HORRIBLE. I mean, of course the city was breathtaking, but you are completely right in that there are no toilets to be found anywhere! Once, I had to go so bad that I went to a (female) waitress and BEGGED to be allowed to use the restroom. Luckily, she was very sweet and pointed the way with a friendly smile.

I will try boiling my water today to see how it works for me. Thanks for sharing your experience! I will also look into marshmallow tablets.

Cheers,
Ashley
Posted 8/17/2011 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Ashley, I got a simple pH testing kit, the type used for ponds etc! Bought it from a garden centre. Britta's website does say their system makes the water acidic, but how much it changes depends on the starting pH. Might be worth testing your tap water. I posted the same info on an IC forum (The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation forum) - I tried to copy the link but it's not working.

I've been to France 3 times now. My OH and my two little boys just end up using a tree when we're out and about!! I did post on COBF about "how to wee in France" - if you want to search for that! Basically the big supermarkets are a safe bet but I did discover this time that the museum type places often have loos in the foyer, so you can go in and mull around as if considering whether to go in, and slip off to the loo smilewinkgrin


MMM
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