I am new to MC. Diagnosed in January and put on a nine week regiment of Entecort. Symptoms left immediately but crept back in as the dosage tapered down. I found Mr. per sky's book online while researching MC and have begun a GF, SF, DF diet. I have lost about 15+ pounds. I used to have wine and cheese just about every day and vodka on occasion. I now have eliminated alcohol as well. It is not a surprise that I have lost the weight. I have read the book and use it as a resource daily. I have an appointment with my PA for a follow up and will discuss my diet with her and get her take on my condition.
My question is if nutribullet smoothies made with frozen organic berries, cucumber, hemp protein powder, raw greens, ginger, stevia, and filtered water would be ok to try. I used to have a smoothie 3 to 4 times a week before bowel problems began. Anyone help would be appreciated.
smoothies and MC
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Lulubelle,
Welcome to our Internet family. While large amounts of alcoholic drinks may interfere with healing (alcohol is a common cause of increased intestinal permeability), small to moderate amounts may not be harmful, and may be helpful from the viewpoint that they tend to be relaxing, and anything that reduces stress is beneficial for treating MC. Some people are bothered by the sulfites in wine, but if sulfites are not a problem for you, then wine may be OK. There are also low-sulfite wines that are easier to tolerate. Beer of course should be avoided, because it contains gluten, but wine and distilled alcoholic drinks are gluten-free unless they are blended back with a product that contains gluten.
I tried smoothies for a while back when I was recovering, but I finally gave them up because they seemed to often cause problems. I have a hunch that either the sugar in the fruit, or the total amount of fiber may have been the problem. I used frozen fruit though, so maybe the thermal shock on my gut was the cause of the problem.
Raw greens, especially, would be a problem for most of us. In general, we do much better if all vegetables are peeled and overcooked to lower the fiber content and to make them more easily digestible. Some members here seem to tolerate stevia OK, but most of us have to minimize sugar and totally avoid all artificial sweeteners. Since stevia is claimed to not be synthetic, it may be safer to use than most other sugar substitutes. Unless you are trying to lose weight, using pure (undiluted, with no additives) coconut milk in place of water adds a lot of good fat and calories.
If you try those smoothies, peeling the cucumbers first will help to reduce the fiber content, and help to make them more digestible.
Good luck with your recovery. And again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome to our Internet family. While large amounts of alcoholic drinks may interfere with healing (alcohol is a common cause of increased intestinal permeability), small to moderate amounts may not be harmful, and may be helpful from the viewpoint that they tend to be relaxing, and anything that reduces stress is beneficial for treating MC. Some people are bothered by the sulfites in wine, but if sulfites are not a problem for you, then wine may be OK. There are also low-sulfite wines that are easier to tolerate. Beer of course should be avoided, because it contains gluten, but wine and distilled alcoholic drinks are gluten-free unless they are blended back with a product that contains gluten.
I tried smoothies for a while back when I was recovering, but I finally gave them up because they seemed to often cause problems. I have a hunch that either the sugar in the fruit, or the total amount of fiber may have been the problem. I used frozen fruit though, so maybe the thermal shock on my gut was the cause of the problem.
Raw greens, especially, would be a problem for most of us. In general, we do much better if all vegetables are peeled and overcooked to lower the fiber content and to make them more easily digestible. Some members here seem to tolerate stevia OK, but most of us have to minimize sugar and totally avoid all artificial sweeteners. Since stevia is claimed to not be synthetic, it may be safer to use than most other sugar substitutes. Unless you are trying to lose weight, using pure (undiluted, with no additives) coconut milk in place of water adds a lot of good fat and calories.
If you try those smoothies, peeling the cucumbers first will help to reduce the fiber content, and help to make them more digestible.
Good luck with your recovery. And again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
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.
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Greengoddess
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2014 3:30 pm
I have tried a lot of different protein powders. Enterolab showed me to react to eggs so I am egg free. To me this makes it challenging to get the protein I need in the morning. I'm just not that fond of meat in the morning. So many protein powders are either whey based or soy based so that makes it difficult if you have to be soy and dairy free. I was using a whey protein powder that I loved but I gave it up to go dairy free. That leaves hemp, pea protein and rice protein. I reacted badly to hemp and I think it may have been the fiber. I've not found a rice protein that isn't gritty and really just does not taste very good. Pea protein seems to agree with me. Although, some on here will be quick to point out that it is a legume and could be a problem for some. But honestly everything has the potential to be a problem for everyone with MC. The one I am using now is Plant Head. It has sugar and stevia but only 6 grams carbs per serving so the sugar content must not be too much. I actually am liking it very much.
I would heed the advise of Tex to watch the fiber. In fact, I would suggest you first find a protein powder you can tolerate. Once your tolerance is established I would add the individual fruits and vegetables one at a time and test for tolerance. Mixing with coconut milk or almond milk is a great way to boost the fat content and increase calories.
Good luck and let us know what happens.
Gigi
I would heed the advise of Tex to watch the fiber. In fact, I would suggest you first find a protein powder you can tolerate. Once your tolerance is established I would add the individual fruits and vegetables one at a time and test for tolerance. Mixing with coconut milk or almond milk is a great way to boost the fat content and increase calories.
Good luck and let us know what happens.
Gigi
LC diagnosed July 2014
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Go cautiously, as tex mentions peel the cucumbers.
Try small amount, ie 1/4 cup. Don't have too much at one time.
Have small serves through the day...
Gigi, yes the rice protein can be gritty.... I mix it with cacao powder and small amount of coconut sugar and some near boiling water. Let this cool, then store in fridge. When I am going out I add the coconut water and rice milk, and shake it every time I am going to drink some...
I find it mixes much better this way.
Try small amount, ie 1/4 cup. Don't have too much at one time.
Have small serves through the day...
Gigi, yes the rice protein can be gritty.... I mix it with cacao powder and small amount of coconut sugar and some near boiling water. Let this cool, then store in fridge. When I am going out I add the coconut water and rice milk, and shake it every time I am going to drink some...
I find it mixes much better this way.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
I totally agree with all the above. I can't do any of the protein powders as I am soy, dairy and pea free. From the very beginning after my diagnosis I have been making a smoothie in the morning with 1/2 c coconut milk (I also have a problem with gums in packaged and canned products) so I found that Trader Joe's sells a Light Coconut milk that is just coconut milk and water. That is what I use and then I do 1/2 c of low sugar coconut water, about 1/2 c frozen blueberries and a small fairly green banana. Very satisfying and some protein although not a lot. For me besides the soy, dairy, gums etc sugar can be a big problem. I cannot do any veggie uncooked and I don't eat any fruit other than the blueberries as everything bothers me. It does take some time to come up with what works for you. Hope this helps!
Collagenous Colitis, Benign Cramp Fasciculations in lower legs, Thyroid and High Cholesterol
Hi,
I have successfully managed to reintroduce smoothies for breakfast. I'm cautious, so I've made the same, simple smoothie every morning the last weeks.
One handful frozen blueberries
One (not ripe) banana
One scoop of Juice Plus+ Complete
One raw egg yolk (organic egg)
A little piece of ginger
One glass orange juice
So far, I can tolerate this. I will try to add in some more fruits & vegetables later on.
I recognize that this breakfast does not contain enough proteins, but I can't eat meat or fish this early in the morning :-)
Lilia
I have successfully managed to reintroduce smoothies for breakfast. I'm cautious, so I've made the same, simple smoothie every morning the last weeks.
One handful frozen blueberries
One (not ripe) banana
One scoop of Juice Plus+ Complete
One raw egg yolk (organic egg)
A little piece of ginger
One glass orange juice
So far, I can tolerate this. I will try to add in some more fruits & vegetables later on.
I recognize that this breakfast does not contain enough proteins, but I can't eat meat or fish this early in the morning :-)
Lilia
Collagenous Colitis diagnosis in 2010
Psoriasis in 1973, symptom free in 2014
GF, CF and SF free since April, 2013
Psoriasis in 1973, symptom free in 2014
GF, CF and SF free since April, 2013
Hi Lulubelle,
As I tapered off Entocort, I learned that I had a lot of learning to do! I was fortunate that my doctor allowed me to taper off very slowly so the flood of diarrhea would not entirely return while I was learning what my system would tolerate. I was aware for quite a while before MC that I had difficulty with some foods. After MC, I eliminated them completely and it helped a lot. I also found a few more intolerances, tapioca and xanthan gum. How odd. It took quite a while to add raw greens to my diet. After two years, I eat all cooked veggies but not all raw veggies. I eat baby lettuce but all my other greens are cooked. Berries were my first raw fruits. I think melons came next. I am now working my way to raw citrus. Citrus was a problem until recently. I did not eat cucumbers in my early recovery and would have only a small amount now, if any. I can eat cucumbers in the form of shelf-stable pickles because they are cooked. The last I knew, I was not yet able to eat refrigerated (uncooked) pickles.
Weaning off of Entocort is educational. Try not to stop too quickly and pay attention to the messages your gut is sending.
As I tapered off Entocort, I learned that I had a lot of learning to do! I was fortunate that my doctor allowed me to taper off very slowly so the flood of diarrhea would not entirely return while I was learning what my system would tolerate. I was aware for quite a while before MC that I had difficulty with some foods. After MC, I eliminated them completely and it helped a lot. I also found a few more intolerances, tapioca and xanthan gum. How odd. It took quite a while to add raw greens to my diet. After two years, I eat all cooked veggies but not all raw veggies. I eat baby lettuce but all my other greens are cooked. Berries were my first raw fruits. I think melons came next. I am now working my way to raw citrus. Citrus was a problem until recently. I did not eat cucumbers in my early recovery and would have only a small amount now, if any. I can eat cucumbers in the form of shelf-stable pickles because they are cooked. The last I knew, I was not yet able to eat refrigerated (uncooked) pickles.
Weaning off of Entocort is educational. Try not to stop too quickly and pay attention to the messages your gut is sending.
Thank you all for the information and suggestions. I think I will stick with the elimination diet for another week or two. I have success with it and it feels good! I have gone out to eat with friends twice this past week and found restaurants to be very helpful in giving me plain fish and meats plus a cooked vegetable. So I don't feel entirely left out of the experience. I have not started to add wine although I would like to. I will wait longer as I really don't know what the main triggers are yet.