how to implement a low fiber diet for intestinal healing
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how to implement a low fiber diet for intestinal healing
After much research and keeping a food journal for a couple of months I finally decided to try going gluten free. I have been gluten free for 2 1/2 weeks and have had a few days when I felt better but overall there has not been any improvement. I am a vegan and although I only eat cooked vegetables and no fruit I am still having trouble digesting my food. I want to try eating a very low fiber diet for a few days to give my intestines time to heal. My question is how long I need to follow this diet to allow for healing and whether pureeing all my food into a soup is adequate. I am concerned about getting enough protein so I thought that pureeing beans or lentils until smooth would be adequate to allow easy digestion.
Ahh, Tonya,
I can relate to your concerns. For 12 years before the MC hit, I was a vegetarian (ethical/ovo-lacto). In retrospect, I believe that all of those years of eating large amounts of whole grains, dairy, and soy facilitated the development of my MC. I can eat none of those foods now. When I realized that I have the genes that do best on a paleo (hunter-gatherer) diet, I felt like the victim of a cosmic joke. In order to regain my health, I had to change. It is not easy when it involves one of your core values. However, I am in long-term remission on diet alone and have never felt better.
I now eat fish and meat/fowl. I buy them from local farmers who raise them ethically (free-range, etc.). Same with eggs. I have heard that some vegans will eat unfertilized eggs from ethically-raised chickens. Eggs are a super protein source.
It can take up to 6 months or more to see the results of going gluten-free, so it is important to be patient. Sigh. And it can take quite a while for the gut to heal. Until enough healing occurs, it is best to avoid a lot of fiber. It will likely be longer than a few days. Beans (legumes in general) are probably not a good idea initially, even pureed. Aside from the fiber problem, they can make the gut "leakier".
Regarding protein, can you tolerate nut butters? The butter may be tolerated better than the whole nut. Some here use a rice powder for extra protein. Many MCers tolerate rice quite nicely.
Good luck. I know how difficult it is for you to find a safe diet at this time.
Polly
I can relate to your concerns. For 12 years before the MC hit, I was a vegetarian (ethical/ovo-lacto). In retrospect, I believe that all of those years of eating large amounts of whole grains, dairy, and soy facilitated the development of my MC. I can eat none of those foods now. When I realized that I have the genes that do best on a paleo (hunter-gatherer) diet, I felt like the victim of a cosmic joke. In order to regain my health, I had to change. It is not easy when it involves one of your core values. However, I am in long-term remission on diet alone and have never felt better.
I now eat fish and meat/fowl. I buy them from local farmers who raise them ethically (free-range, etc.). Same with eggs. I have heard that some vegans will eat unfertilized eggs from ethically-raised chickens. Eggs are a super protein source.
It can take up to 6 months or more to see the results of going gluten-free, so it is important to be patient. Sigh. And it can take quite a while for the gut to heal. Until enough healing occurs, it is best to avoid a lot of fiber. It will likely be longer than a few days. Beans (legumes in general) are probably not a good idea initially, even pureed. Aside from the fiber problem, they can make the gut "leakier".
Regarding protein, can you tolerate nut butters? The butter may be tolerated better than the whole nut. Some here use a rice powder for extra protein. Many MCers tolerate rice quite nicely.
Good luck. I know how difficult it is for you to find a safe diet at this time.
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Diet change
I started with abdominal pain on my right side 2 years ago. They did 2 CT scans with and without contrast. I was told there was some inflammation of my intestines. So my PCP suggested going to a anti inflammatory diet. Instead of getting better it was worse. I had cut almost all the meat out of my diet except for fish 1-3x a week and occasionally chicken. I went to whole grain everything. Then the diarrhea started. So I can completely relate to both of your experiences. It was so frustrating. My PCP referred me to a GI in Nov.
Finally in Jan I had a colonoscopy with biopsies.
I have MC.
Since I've cut out gluten, soy and diary it has been better.
I read through all the new posts almost every day and try to tackle some of past post as I go.
I've been thankful to find this group. At one point I began to think I was losing it.
Finally in Jan I had a colonoscopy with biopsies.
I have MC.
Since I've cut out gluten, soy and diary it has been better.
I read through all the new posts almost every day and try to tackle some of past post as I go.
I've been thankful to find this group. At one point I began to think I was losing it.
~Kristine
Polly,
Thanks for the information. Unfortunately it is a matter of being able to tolerate meat and eggs,the smell of meat and the thought of eating it make me nauseous. My acupuncturist got me to eat some eggs a couple of months ago but after a couple they became harder to eat until I just couldn't make myself eat another one. I do have some rice protein powder and can use that. And I do tolerate nut butters quite well. I will reformulate my diet plan and see how it goes.
Thanks for the information. Unfortunately it is a matter of being able to tolerate meat and eggs,the smell of meat and the thought of eating it make me nauseous. My acupuncturist got me to eat some eggs a couple of months ago but after a couple they became harder to eat until I just couldn't make myself eat another one. I do have some rice protein powder and can use that. And I do tolerate nut butters quite well. I will reformulate my diet plan and see how it goes.
a decent diet plan for me
Polly,
I have been eating a lot of well overcooked vegetables, butternut squash, potatoes and sweet potatoes. Buckwheat and quinoa for breakfast, well ground and soaked overnight to improve digestibility. Nut butter on gluten free bread for lunch. I made a rice congee ( soaked overnight and cooked 6 hrs or so in a crock pot), it is basically rice glue but can be thinned with broth to add flavor. I have been tolerating well cooked smashed beans in a rice tortilla. I soak my beans for 18 hours changing the soak water a couple of times before cooking. This helps the digestibility of the beans by leaching the enzymes and trisaccharides into the soak water. It also begins the sprouting process, making the nutrients more available. I have been able to tolerate red lentils by cooking them well and them pureeing them into my soup.
I have been on the new diet plan for a week and a half and I am having some relief from my symptoms. Less WD and sometimes close to normans but still not quite there and very little undigested food. I don't expect to improve overnight, I would think that the lining of the intestine would take a while to return to normal. I also started taking marshmallow root and slippery elm bark along with L-glutamine to aid in healing. I have also been feeling much better overall, more energy and focus throughout my day. Hopefully I am on the right track here.
I am still keeping a food diary and am paying close attention to possible reactions to anything I eat. The only reactions I have noticed were more stress related, that is a lot harder to control than food choices. It is an ongoing battle for me, but I am making progress in that area also.
Tonya
I have been eating a lot of well overcooked vegetables, butternut squash, potatoes and sweet potatoes. Buckwheat and quinoa for breakfast, well ground and soaked overnight to improve digestibility. Nut butter on gluten free bread for lunch. I made a rice congee ( soaked overnight and cooked 6 hrs or so in a crock pot), it is basically rice glue but can be thinned with broth to add flavor. I have been tolerating well cooked smashed beans in a rice tortilla. I soak my beans for 18 hours changing the soak water a couple of times before cooking. This helps the digestibility of the beans by leaching the enzymes and trisaccharides into the soak water. It also begins the sprouting process, making the nutrients more available. I have been able to tolerate red lentils by cooking them well and them pureeing them into my soup.
I have been on the new diet plan for a week and a half and I am having some relief from my symptoms. Less WD and sometimes close to normans but still not quite there and very little undigested food. I don't expect to improve overnight, I would think that the lining of the intestine would take a while to return to normal. I also started taking marshmallow root and slippery elm bark along with L-glutamine to aid in healing. I have also been feeling much better overall, more energy and focus throughout my day. Hopefully I am on the right track here.
I am still keeping a food diary and am paying close attention to possible reactions to anything I eat. The only reactions I have noticed were more stress related, that is a lot harder to control than food choices. It is an ongoing battle for me, but I am making progress in that area also.
Tonya
Hi Tonya,
Thanks for the update. You have obviously put a lot of thought and experimentation into your diet, and it seems to be paying off. YAY!
You are correct - GI damage can take a long time to repair. As long as you are seeing gradual improvement, you are on the right track. Just a word to the wise - be very careful of supplements. Many have found that they are sensitive to them. Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean we won't react to it. Also, studies have shown that there are often additional ingredients in herb/supplement preps that aren't listed on the bottle. There is no regulation/oversight of them.
Great idea to keep an ongoing food journal. Be sure to note things like aches/pains, fatigue, mood, sleep patterns, etc. in addition to just GI symptoms like bloating, gas, D. Also, sometimes the effects occur 24-72 hours after eating an unsafe food.
Best wishes for continued improvement!
Polly
Thanks for the update. You have obviously put a lot of thought and experimentation into your diet, and it seems to be paying off. YAY!
You are correct - GI damage can take a long time to repair. As long as you are seeing gradual improvement, you are on the right track. Just a word to the wise - be very careful of supplements. Many have found that they are sensitive to them. Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean we won't react to it. Also, studies have shown that there are often additional ingredients in herb/supplement preps that aren't listed on the bottle. There is no regulation/oversight of them.
Great idea to keep an ongoing food journal. Be sure to note things like aches/pains, fatigue, mood, sleep patterns, etc. in addition to just GI symptoms like bloating, gas, D. Also, sometimes the effects occur 24-72 hours after eating an unsafe food.
Best wishes for continued improvement!
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.