When I found these food journals, I was intrigued at what we can learn by journaling daily meals and results. I'm a newbie to the sight, but have suffered the affects of MC off and on since 2007. My last flare-up started around October 8, 2014, a week-and-a-half before a planned trip to NC to see my aging parents. I believe it was the stress of the upcoming trip that may have triggered the episode. It's been almost 5 weeks now and despite the problems/affects of traveling with the flare-up, I have finally been able to get completely off of gluten (a suspected intolerance). Since getting off the gluten, my gut has normalized. Also, I've been able to go from 4 Lomotal tabs per day to only 1 on most days. My doc had also prescribed Whelcol, but I haven't been very successful in remembering to take it before each meal. Giving up gluten has been extremely difficult, as I have always been a carb/sweets lover. However, in the last 5 weeks, I have lost 11 lbs! And I'm super ecstatic about that :)
Having been as careful with my diet as I could over these last weeks, ingesting only coffee w/ stevia & creamer (I know ... but I am an addict!), bananas, unsweetened almond milk, cheerios, rice, Earth Balance non-dairy "butter", applesauce, jello and a little shaved chicken with the rice, I am now beginning to slowly add some new foods. Last night we went to a dinner, and the only thing I allowed myself to eat was the much-over-cooked green beans. It's almost 9:00 AM and I've had only a little grumbling, but nothing else. So far, so good. I'm thinking that this would be a good time to start keeping track of my meals and reactions (starting with this past Thursday), so I can see correlations between what I'm adding to my diet and any resulting reactions. So here goes!
Thursday, 11/8/14:
B: coffee, mashed banana w/ almond milk, cheerios
L: rice w/ EB "butter", avocado
D: jello (SF), rice w/ EB, almond milk
This was the day I had my first morning non-WD in a month! But by evening, I'd had several looser movements.
Friday:
B: coffee, mashed banana w/ almond milk, cheerios
L: rice w/ chicken, broth, onion powder & coriander
D: Chicken n Stars (w/o the stars), rice
Sn: SF jello, dry cheerios
Did not note my D for this day, but I suspect it was just one or two loose movements.
Saturday:
B: coffee, banana w/ almond milk
L: popcorn & chips (what can I say ...)
D: this was hard bc we went to watch our favorite football game at my daughter's house. I brought rice and they cooked a plain chicken breast for me, but all the food that everyone brought! ... what a temptation!! But I did good resisting.
Needless to say, D visited me this morning, but only once or twice.
Sunday:
B: coffee, almond milk only (didn't want to take a chance at church)
L: rice w/ EB
D: more rice w/ EB & broth and a little chicken
Sn: Rice Crackers (yum!)
Still minimal loose BMs.
Monday:
B: coffee, banana w/ almond milk
L: rice w/ EB & broth
D: rice w/ EB & broth, green beans
Sn: Rice Crackers (yum!)
Still minimal loose BMs.
So this brings us to today. I will tell you that this past summer I attempted to go off of gluten and had very quick positive results. However, my cheating and cravings got the best of me, and what I thought was a new tolerance, probably only built up my intolerance, and resulted in a severe flare-up.
Will post tomorrow what I've eaten since my Honeys are with me today :)
Judy
Judy's Journal
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Tuesday:
B: coffee, banana w/ almond milk
L: rice w/ EB spread
D: chicken salad w/ rice crackers and green beans
Sn: SF jello
Stomach only slightly grumbled several times today (probably from either the green beans last night, or from the snacks from yesterday. This evening's movement was softly formed (albeit pencil-like ... is this unusual?). And I seem to be carrying some fluid tonight (probably from the salt in the veganaise, crackers and the little I added to the fresh green beans ... salt has always been a problem for me :(
Judy
B: coffee, banana w/ almond milk
L: rice w/ EB spread
D: chicken salad w/ rice crackers and green beans
Sn: SF jello
Stomach only slightly grumbled several times today (probably from either the green beans last night, or from the snacks from yesterday. This evening's movement was softly formed (albeit pencil-like ... is this unusual?). And I seem to be carrying some fluid tonight (probably from the salt in the veganaise, crackers and the little I added to the fresh green beans ... salt has always been a problem for me :(
Judy
Judy,
"Pencil poop" is not unusual, and it's usually a sign of progress, since it's a step up from D.
Incidentally, I hesitate to mention this, because you are probably well aware of it, but since Cheerios are available in either regular or gluten-free versions, be sure that the box says, "Gluten Free", or it's not (the regular versions of most cereals contain some form of malted barley, which is a source of gluten).
And while I realize that you're probably selecting the unsweetened almond milk for calorie considerations, IMO, the taste of the Silk Vanilla Almond Milk is so superior to the taste of the original version, that surely it is way ahead of the unsweetened version, also, when it comes to taste appeal. IMO, it will turn Corn Chex into almost a gourmet meal, it tastes so good.
With your restricted diet, you shouldn't have any problem losing weight, even if you splurge on the Vanilla Almond Milk.
Other than the question about the Cheerios, your meals seem to be safe, but they appear to be short on protein. Extra protein is helpful for healing the intestines. And more protein in the diet usually means a lower fiber intake, which is also beneficial for healing. Best of luck with your diet and your journaling.
Tex
"Pencil poop" is not unusual, and it's usually a sign of progress, since it's a step up from D.
Incidentally, I hesitate to mention this, because you are probably well aware of it, but since Cheerios are available in either regular or gluten-free versions, be sure that the box says, "Gluten Free", or it's not (the regular versions of most cereals contain some form of malted barley, which is a source of gluten).
And while I realize that you're probably selecting the unsweetened almond milk for calorie considerations, IMO, the taste of the Silk Vanilla Almond Milk is so superior to the taste of the original version, that surely it is way ahead of the unsweetened version, also, when it comes to taste appeal. IMO, it will turn Corn Chex into almost a gourmet meal, it tastes so good.
With your restricted diet, you shouldn't have any problem losing weight, even if you splurge on the Vanilla Almond Milk.Other than the question about the Cheerios, your meals seem to be safe, but they appear to be short on protein. Extra protein is helpful for healing the intestines. And more protein in the diet usually means a lower fiber intake, which is also beneficial for healing. Best of luck with your diet and your journaling.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Tex,
Thank you so much for the tips! I was aware of the gluten in Cheerios. My box doesn't say it has malted barley in the list of ingredients, however, it does say that it may contain wheat products. I guess I figured that if it wasn't on the "official" list, it would be negligible, and perhaps wouldn't cause any problems since I’d not had problems with it in the past. However, now I’m not so sure now.
During the night I was up 3-4 times with WD. Could have been the amount or one of the foods I ate, or could have been that my gut just isn’t healed enough from the recent flare-up for me to be venturing out so much, or even the ibuprofen that I broke down and took for pain in my shoulder that I've been having. In any case, today I’m back on more basic stuff....again.
I chose the unsweetened Almond Milk because I have elevated glucose levels and am considered pre-diabetic (it runs in my family). I take Metformin for it (also a compromising drug, and today I have an appt w/ my dr to request the ER version), so I try to choose sugar free when I can (which can Also be compromising!). It’s a struggle. But I’ve gotten used to the taste now, and when I make mashed potatoes, the unsweetened is better in them than the sweetened. Make sense?
Since my flare-up, I’ve been trying to add more protein as I see my symptoms decline, although I’m not much of a meat eater...chicken and fish usually, and I’ve not had much desire to include it. I was hoping the almond milk was helping with some protein. Any other suggestions would be welcome.
So here’s what today will be like :(
Wednesday:
B: coffee, banana w/ almond milk, egg w/ EB spread
L: rice w/ EB spread and maybe a little chicken
D: more rice w/ maybe some string beans? (not sure whether to keep going with them)
Sn: jello
First movement of the day (even after WD during the night) was almost normal...go figure.
Judy
Thank you so much for the tips! I was aware of the gluten in Cheerios. My box doesn't say it has malted barley in the list of ingredients, however, it does say that it may contain wheat products. I guess I figured that if it wasn't on the "official" list, it would be negligible, and perhaps wouldn't cause any problems since I’d not had problems with it in the past. However, now I’m not so sure now.
During the night I was up 3-4 times with WD. Could have been the amount or one of the foods I ate, or could have been that my gut just isn’t healed enough from the recent flare-up for me to be venturing out so much, or even the ibuprofen that I broke down and took for pain in my shoulder that I've been having. In any case, today I’m back on more basic stuff....again.
I chose the unsweetened Almond Milk because I have elevated glucose levels and am considered pre-diabetic (it runs in my family). I take Metformin for it (also a compromising drug, and today I have an appt w/ my dr to request the ER version), so I try to choose sugar free when I can (which can Also be compromising!). It’s a struggle. But I’ve gotten used to the taste now, and when I make mashed potatoes, the unsweetened is better in them than the sweetened. Make sense?
Since my flare-up, I’ve been trying to add more protein as I see my symptoms decline, although I’m not much of a meat eater...chicken and fish usually, and I’ve not had much desire to include it. I was hoping the almond milk was helping with some protein. Any other suggestions would be welcome.
So here’s what today will be like :(
Wednesday:
B: coffee, banana w/ almond milk, egg w/ EB spread
L: rice w/ EB spread and maybe a little chicken
D: more rice w/ maybe some string beans? (not sure whether to keep going with them)
Sn: jello
First movement of the day (even after WD during the night) was almost normal...go figure.
Judy
Oops! My apologies. I apparently had a major brain fart last night. 
I was thinking about Rice Krispies, which (confusingly) are sold in both versions. There is no GF version of Cheerios.
If you look at the ingredient list, you will see that Cheerios contains wheat starch, which is a potent source of gluten. Wheat starch is even worse than malted barley. But not only that, the main ingredient in Cheerios is oats. Oats are not only commonly cross-contaminated with wheat, but most of us here react even to pure oats, because the main storage protein in oats (avenin) contains peptides very similar to the peptides in wheat that cause us to react. Avenin is a weaker protein than wheat gluten, so it can take more of it to trigger a reaction. or the reactions may not be quite as severe, but no reaction is good for us, because it adds to the existing inflammation. At any rate, all of those problems causes Cheerios to be off-limits for celiacs and virtually anyone who has MC.
Another strike against oats is the relatively high fiber content. While fiber is promoted by so-called health experts, who pretend that there is no way to get too much of such a good thing, the fact of the matter is that fiber is actually not very good for anyone (I can cite supporting evidence if you want to see it), and it is definitely contraindicated for anyone who has MC. Too much fiber (and it doesn't take very much to be "too much" for some of us), can actually prevent us from reaching remission, by continually irritating our already-hypersensitive intestines.
You're quite correct about the possible reasons that might have caused your symptoms last night. If I had to choose the most likely candidate, it would be the ibuprofen, because NSAIDs seem to adversely affect a high percentage of us.
I definitely understand why you would choose the unsweetened version of almond milk because of blood sugar considerations. We have many members in that situation. And it's also true that virtually all of us have to limit our sugar intake while we are trying to recover, because it isn't completely digested when MC is active. That causes it to be fermented by bacteria in the colon, causing gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Because of that, all of us do better if we limit the sugar in our diet, especially while we are recovering.
A few members use protein powders to help boost their protein intake (and to provide a safe snack when on the job, or traveling), but it's not easy to find a safe one. I'm not familiar enough with them to be able to offer any sound advice, but if you post a question about them on the Main Message Board, I'm sure that someone who uses them can offer some helpful suggestions.
This should be a better day. Starting the day with a normal (or near-normal) BM is the goal of every MCer.
Again, I apologize for the Cheerios mistake. A little while after I woke up this morning, a "notification" flashed in my brain — You Dumb Ass! . . . Cheerios were never offered for sale in a gluten-free version!
Tex
I was thinking about Rice Krispies, which (confusingly) are sold in both versions. There is no GF version of Cheerios.If you look at the ingredient list, you will see that Cheerios contains wheat starch, which is a potent source of gluten. Wheat starch is even worse than malted barley. But not only that, the main ingredient in Cheerios is oats. Oats are not only commonly cross-contaminated with wheat, but most of us here react even to pure oats, because the main storage protein in oats (avenin) contains peptides very similar to the peptides in wheat that cause us to react. Avenin is a weaker protein than wheat gluten, so it can take more of it to trigger a reaction. or the reactions may not be quite as severe, but no reaction is good for us, because it adds to the existing inflammation. At any rate, all of those problems causes Cheerios to be off-limits for celiacs and virtually anyone who has MC.
Another strike against oats is the relatively high fiber content. While fiber is promoted by so-called health experts, who pretend that there is no way to get too much of such a good thing, the fact of the matter is that fiber is actually not very good for anyone (I can cite supporting evidence if you want to see it), and it is definitely contraindicated for anyone who has MC. Too much fiber (and it doesn't take very much to be "too much" for some of us), can actually prevent us from reaching remission, by continually irritating our already-hypersensitive intestines.
You're quite correct about the possible reasons that might have caused your symptoms last night. If I had to choose the most likely candidate, it would be the ibuprofen, because NSAIDs seem to adversely affect a high percentage of us.
I definitely understand why you would choose the unsweetened version of almond milk because of blood sugar considerations. We have many members in that situation. And it's also true that virtually all of us have to limit our sugar intake while we are trying to recover, because it isn't completely digested when MC is active. That causes it to be fermented by bacteria in the colon, causing gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Because of that, all of us do better if we limit the sugar in our diet, especially while we are recovering.
A few members use protein powders to help boost their protein intake (and to provide a safe snack when on the job, or traveling), but it's not easy to find a safe one. I'm not familiar enough with them to be able to offer any sound advice, but if you post a question about them on the Main Message Board, I'm sure that someone who uses them can offer some helpful suggestions.
This should be a better day. Starting the day with a normal (or near-normal) BM is the goal of every MCer.Again, I apologize for the Cheerios mistake. A little while after I woke up this morning, a "notification" flashed in my brain — You Dumb Ass! . . . Cheerios were never offered for sale in a gluten-free version!
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
lol ... Tex, you are so funny. Yet another reason why I love this site. Thanks for the revised info. I am learning so much that I find I have to be in the site often so that it all begins to make sense and become ingrained in my memory (at least to the point of knowing I saw it "somewhere"). I'll post the protein powder question on the main message board. Thanks again, both for the information, and the humor ;}
Yesterday I had an appointment with my Dr (a friend of ours). I shared some things I'd been learning from this website, and discussed a plan of action. Over the last 6 months I've weened myself off of Ambien for sleep, and have had trouble ever since getting to sleep. (Once I get there, I'm usually good for the night.) I also talked with him about Bupropian (Wellbutrin), hoping it would keep winter stress levels under control and also hoping it will help with getting to sleep at night. We also talked about changing my Metformin prescription (for pre-diabetes) to the ER form so that whenever I do have a flare-up maybe it wouldn't contribute to my symptoms.
So ... mid-day yesterday after picking up the Buproprion XL 150mg, I took my first tablet. And last night I took a dose of Tylenol Arthritis. As usual I had a little trouble going to sleep (which I expected since it takes weeks for the body to acclimate), but I also woke up shortly after 2:00am with mild WD and have been awake ever since. I've also had 3 more WD episodes in the 3 hours since getting up. (I did have green beans for the third night in a row and am wondering if this contributed to my reaction. I'm really hoping it wasn't the Buproprion as I am really looking forward to a winter without SAD.
Thursday's menu:
B: coffee (I really need to get off this stuff), banana and almond milk
L: rice w/ EB spread
D: rice w/ EB spread & broth
Sn: jello
So ... mid-day yesterday after picking up the Buproprion XL 150mg, I took my first tablet. And last night I took a dose of Tylenol Arthritis. As usual I had a little trouble going to sleep (which I expected since it takes weeks for the body to acclimate), but I also woke up shortly after 2:00am with mild WD and have been awake ever since. I've also had 3 more WD episodes in the 3 hours since getting up. (I did have green beans for the third night in a row and am wondering if this contributed to my reaction. I'm really hoping it wasn't the Buproprion as I am really looking forward to a winter without SAD.
Thursday's menu:
B: coffee (I really need to get off this stuff), banana and almond milk
L: rice w/ EB spread
D: rice w/ EB spread & broth
Sn: jello
Once I finally got to sleep I slept a little better last night except for the headache I woke up with. I'm attempting to reduce my coffee from 2 cups to 1 in the mornings. I suspect that might be the reason. I also woke up to several WDs, and I was quite good with my diet yesterday. However, it could have been residual affects from the green beans 3 days in a row.
Friday:
B: banana w/ almond milk
L: rice w/ Earth Balance & broth
D: sweet potato w/ EB & almond milk
Sn: jello
Friday:
B: banana w/ almond milk
L: rice w/ Earth Balance & broth
D: sweet potato w/ EB & almond milk
Sn: jello
Judy,
If you continue to have symptoms, you might consider trying a few days without the Earth Balance. If you need a replacement for the EB, take a look at clarified butter, aka ghee.
Tex
If you continue to have symptoms, you might consider trying a few days without the Earth Balance. If you need a replacement for the EB, take a look at clarified butter, aka ghee.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Judy:
You could also try a little coconut oil in the rice, instead of Earth Balance, if you think that may be a problem.
You are not eating very much, and as Tex said very little protein. If you don't have much taste for meat, maybe add some almond butter? You are eating chicken now and then, try to add more.
Hope the WD is clearing up.
Lisa
You could also try a little coconut oil in the rice, instead of Earth Balance, if you think that may be a problem.
You are not eating very much, and as Tex said very little protein. If you don't have much taste for meat, maybe add some almond butter? You are eating chicken now and then, try to add more.
Hope the WD is clearing up.
Lisa
Thanks, Lisa. I will try the coconut oil. Thanks for that suggestion, and the almond butter. Had two WDs this morning, but nothing since. Hoping I'm on the right track. And I definitely need more protein, I can feel it.
Today is my 4th day of Welbutrin - Slept pretty good last night. Didn't take too long to get to sleep, woke several times, but went right back. Am only averaging 6-7 hours right now (6 last night).
Two WDs this morning (from the sweet potato?).
Saturday:
B: banana, Chex and almond milk
L: rice w/ EB
D: sweet potato w/ chicken, rice w/ honey for dessert :)
Sn: jello, almond milk
Today is my 4th day of Welbutrin - Slept pretty good last night. Didn't take too long to get to sleep, woke several times, but went right back. Am only averaging 6-7 hours right now (6 last night).
Two WDs this morning (from the sweet potato?).
Saturday:
B: banana, Chex and almond milk
L: rice w/ EB
D: sweet potato w/ chicken, rice w/ honey for dessert :)
Sn: jello, almond milk
Several WD's this morning. Perhaps the Earth Balance is the problem. I stopped it after lunch yesterday. I've also added almond butter today for some extra protein. Will see if that helps. Hope to roast a chicken this week.
Was feeling quite lethargic and emotional today.
Sunday:
eggs cooked in coconut oil
rice cake w/ coconut oil & almond butter
jello
chicken broth w/ rice
almond butter w/ honey
banana w/ almond milk
Was feeling quite lethargic and emotional today.
Sunday:
eggs cooked in coconut oil
rice cake w/ coconut oil & almond butter
jello
chicken broth w/ rice
almond butter w/ honey
banana w/ almond milk
Was awake last night from 2-5:30. Went back to sleep for another hour.
No BM yesterday evening or during the night or today! However, yesterday and today I've felt somewhat nauseated. Not to the point of wanting to throw up, but definitely nauseated. What would cause that I wonder?
Monday:
GF toast
coconut oil
almond butter
banana
1 glass Powerade
rice
broth
peaches
roasted turkey (best meal I've had in 6 weeks!)
decaf black tea
Judy
No BM yesterday evening or during the night or today! However, yesterday and today I've felt somewhat nauseated. Not to the point of wanting to throw up, but definitely nauseated. What would cause that I wonder?
Monday:
GF toast
coconut oil
almond butter
banana
1 glass Powerade
rice
broth
peaches
roasted turkey (best meal I've had in 6 weeks!)
decaf black tea
Judy
Nausea is a listed side effect of Wellbutrin. But reduced motility (or lack of a BM) can cause that symptom, also.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.