Community Forum

Hi everyone;

I am so frustrated with what I cannot eat versus can eat. I go on line to read what foods are not good for Colitis. It seems so many foods are listed that are not good for this condition.

I would appreciate any suggestions. Maybe the Jetsons know.

Marjie

 Reply posted for Mtaylor.

You just described what makes having colitiis so much "fun". It is so individualistic to drive anyone crazy.

 Reply posted for Panda.

I feel your pain!!! you have heard this before I know. i even break down and cry but I have to resist doing that because the stress of emotions causes the flare to increase. I walk into work with 5 pieces of plain white bread and some nilla cookies. Oooh yeah. Substanance there! I tell my friends I just want to smell your food. What I hate is after going and spending time in the dreading (bathroom) cell... i am so hungry but I can't hold anything down. It kills me. Sometimes I can do smoothies though which is a treat and somewhat filling. You will find your way. I have Chron's diagnosed for 10 years probably suffering for over 25 years. Find a couple good friends that don't mind being around you if you don't live around family. Find humor in it. Just hang in there, invest in good toilet paper and flushable wipes LOL. Enjoy the good days. Take care.

 Reply posted for Mtaylor.

I know exactly how you feel - I've been living on lemonade and apple sauce for about 4 days now. Having had Crohns for almost 20 years, I am pretty sure that there is no magic list of food to avoid.  You'll figure out what works for you and what doesn't - unfortunately through trial and error.  When I'm not in flare-up I can eat small amounts of salad and even some white bread and milk.  When in flare .... well, you know, it's the lemonade and apple sauce thing.  Sometimes I get so mad I want to scream - but what can you do?

I dream of wholegrain bread stuffed full of salad and a big slab of ham - or a cup full of pistachios, or popcorn, oh and real, bircher muesli.  Three weeks ago I got tired of staring into the bakery and bought a tiny little mega-grain bread roll.  Ate it slowly with butter - was so delicious - paid for it with pain, vomiting etc ... but, sometimes I just take the pain because I need to feel normal. 

Hang in there - if I'm still here after 20 years of a v v restricted diet, you will be too.  It's ok .... and at some point, apple sauce actually becomes appealing!!! 

 Reply posted for Mtaylor.

I know its frustrating, I knew someone who had UC and had the hardest time finding the rght foods to eat. But bland foods do help and if you can get your symptoms under control it makes a big difference. I have had chrons disease for the past 8 years, diet is the biggest problem. I am lactose intolerant, I cannot have dairy, but sometime depending on what I eat it with I can have some cheese. I have no fresh veggies, no nuts, grains, fats or creamy dressings, no wheat. On a bad day if I ate something that caused pain, I eat jello, broth, and campbells chicken noodle and I eat a lot of fish. There are times when it it so frustarting choosing what to eat but remember it could always be worse. I tell myself that I am ok. I would love to have a cup of coffee with milk, but I know I would pay for it afterwards so I dont.

 Reply posted for Mtaylor.

I fully understand what you are going through because I have Crohn's disease and have gone three years without treatment and I finally got insurance. When I see food all I can think about is what kind of pain is that meal going to bring me. It's so hard because I pray before every meal and ask that the food doesn't hurt my stomach, but it does anyway! It is really messing with my faith....

I

 Reply posted for Mtaylor.

Hey there,

Just have to say: I feel your pain (literally). Somedays (like today) I just wish they would put me on a feeding tube or something because ALL food is evil. I've talked to my doc about the fear of food that I've developed but there isn't much that can be done.

I don't have much in the way of advice accept to say that try eating smaller portions of bland food...seems to help a little for me. Just eat several very small portions through out the day and see if that helps.

 Reply posted for Mtaylor.

When I was first diagnosed my doctor did not put me on a specific diet. He told me about the "typical" foods that tend to cause problems but explained that everyone is SO different that it really becomes trial and error. He said if a food causes a problem once, try it again and if it does it again stay away from it for awhile. If it causes a problem everytime, avoid altogether. But he did warn me that foods I've been tolerating fine can later on cause problems.  It sounds crazy but it's been that way for me. For example: I go thru periods where I can handle lactose and then periods when I have reactions. I would suggest starting a food diary so you can keep track of what you have issues with. Even with all the "diets" etc.. out there (and don't get me wrong there is some great info available), I think ultimately you have to create your own based on your tolerances. :)