weight loss...... which I can't afford
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
weight loss...... which I can't afford
When I had my last flare up in July I lost a total of 20 lbs., and was slightly underweight to begin with. I have started the stage one diet to calm thing down, but feel like I'm not getting enough calories, at least not enough to gain/maintain any weight. I certainly can not take any supplements like Ensure or the like because of all the other things that are in those supplements. Any suggestions?
Hi Marty,
It's tough to gain weight before your gut heals. After the inflammation stops and the gut begins to heal, the weight gain will come automatically. Most newbies ask what they can eat to gain weight as if someone knows of a secret food that will put the weight on us no matter how bad our digestion might be. One can receive all kinds of suggestions, but the truth is, not much is likely to help until your digestion improves
Eat whatever safe foods are in your recovery diet. IOW eat more of your safe foods. Weight depends on calorie intake. When our digestive efficiency is down, and absorption of nutrients is a problem, the only way to gain weight is by eating more calories because more calories are going to be lost. That means eating more fattening foods, or eating larger servings of safe food.
There is no magic in adding new foods early on — that only increases the risk of having to run to the bathroom to get rid of it. That said, grains are fattening. If you know for sure that you don't react to rice or corn, for example, you might get some weight from them. But grains turn into fat. Protein helps intestinal healing and protein makes muscle. No fattening food will be likely to add healthy weight, and until your inflammation decreases and your digestion improves so that you can absorb nutrients more efficiently, protein won't add muscle very effectively — but it will help you heal.
Tex
It's tough to gain weight before your gut heals. After the inflammation stops and the gut begins to heal, the weight gain will come automatically. Most newbies ask what they can eat to gain weight as if someone knows of a secret food that will put the weight on us no matter how bad our digestion might be. One can receive all kinds of suggestions, but the truth is, not much is likely to help until your digestion improves
Eat whatever safe foods are in your recovery diet. IOW eat more of your safe foods. Weight depends on calorie intake. When our digestive efficiency is down, and absorption of nutrients is a problem, the only way to gain weight is by eating more calories because more calories are going to be lost. That means eating more fattening foods, or eating larger servings of safe food.
There is no magic in adding new foods early on — that only increases the risk of having to run to the bathroom to get rid of it. That said, grains are fattening. If you know for sure that you don't react to rice or corn, for example, you might get some weight from them. But grains turn into fat. Protein helps intestinal healing and protein makes muscle. No fattening food will be likely to add healthy weight, and until your inflammation decreases and your digestion improves so that you can absorb nutrients more efficiently, protein won't add muscle very effectively — but it will help you heal.
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.
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Tex has said pretty much everything i would say...
one option is to use an 'app' or equivalent computer program to track calories in and calories out. (food and activity etc)
there are loads of them around.
long story short - healing takes time... you cant rush it. but to optimise healing you need to stick to the gut healing low inflammation eating plan (and lifestyle plan ie avoid stress etc) AND have the right nutrients.
one option is to use an 'app' or equivalent computer program to track calories in and calories out. (food and activity etc)
there are loads of them around.
long story short - healing takes time... you cant rush it. but to optimise healing you need to stick to the gut healing low inflammation eating plan (and lifestyle plan ie avoid stress etc) AND have the right nutrients.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Eat calorie rich foods that you think you can tolerate. See what works for you, everyone is different.
Eat small portions often.
Do not burn unnecessary energy for fear of the future, stress of your current situation.
Exercise moderately.
Eat small portions often.
Do not burn unnecessary energy for fear of the future, stress of your current situation.
Exercise moderately.
Psoriasis 1989
Celiac disease 2002
Microskopisc colisis (LC) 2012
Hashimotos 2015
Celiac disease 2002
Microskopisc colisis (LC) 2012
Hashimotos 2015
Constipation on Stage One Diet
Hi Everyone,
I am starting over again with Stage One. I am eating Jasmine Rice, Bone Broth, Turkey, Canadian Bacon, eggs once or twice a week, one green banana a day, baked potato, salmon, chicken, just tried very well cooked carrots, Bread which is Gluten, Soy, Dairy and Egg free, 1/8th of an avocado, and that is about it. So now I haven't gone for 4 days. Also, I just can't get enough calories to stop losing weight.
Oh and one other thing...I seem to have start things up again if I eat too much fat (which I tried because I am now soooo thin). I am afraid to try coconut oil or any oil for that matter.
What do I add to help with constipation without returning to diarrhea?
My GI Doctor suggested Miralax and/or ground flax seed. I believe that is what started my problems over again.
Any suggestions,
Thanks for any help.
Debbie
I am starting over again with Stage One. I am eating Jasmine Rice, Bone Broth, Turkey, Canadian Bacon, eggs once or twice a week, one green banana a day, baked potato, salmon, chicken, just tried very well cooked carrots, Bread which is Gluten, Soy, Dairy and Egg free, 1/8th of an avocado, and that is about it. So now I haven't gone for 4 days. Also, I just can't get enough calories to stop losing weight.
Oh and one other thing...I seem to have start things up again if I eat too much fat (which I tried because I am now soooo thin). I am afraid to try coconut oil or any oil for that matter.
What do I add to help with constipation without returning to diarrhea?
My GI Doctor suggested Miralax and/or ground flax seed. I believe that is what started my problems over again.
Any suggestions,
Thanks for any help.
Debbie
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Debbie
hi there
sorry you are having issues...
are you taking any Vit D3 and magnesium??
small doses of magnesium will help with motility - spread the doses through the day.
the only possible issue with your eating plan is the gluten free bread. even though it is gluten free, it can still have small amounts of gluten. For some of us, MC can be C dominant rather than D dominant.
I would stick with safe proteins, rice and 1-2 well cooked veges.
hi there
sorry you are having issues...
are you taking any Vit D3 and magnesium??
small doses of magnesium will help with motility - spread the doses through the day.
the only possible issue with your eating plan is the gluten free bread. even though it is gluten free, it can still have small amounts of gluten. For some of us, MC can be C dominant rather than D dominant.
I would stick with safe proteins, rice and 1-2 well cooked veges.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Normally I would say add some fiber (such as switching to brown rice), but it sounds as though fiber triggers diarrhea. Did you actually use ground flax seed? Ground flax seed hulls are a laxative. That might be too aggressive. The Miralax shouldn't have caused a relapse, though it might cause looser stools. You might be dehydrated. Are you drinking plenty water?Debbie wrote:What do I add to help with constipation without returning to diarrhea?
Constipation is a symptom of chronic magnesium deficiency. You may need to use some magnesium citrate to get things moving again.
Grains (such as rice) are fattening. To gain weight, you may have to eat until you are full, and then eat some more. You apparently don't eat much. 1/8 of an avocado is not much. Avocados contain a lot of fat. Can you tolerate more avocado? Gaining weight will happen when your intestines heal and your digestion improves so that you can better absorb the nutrients.
Maybe someone else will have some better ideas.
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.
More details to hopefully clarify
Thank you Gabes and Tex for your quick response.
In answer to your questions, my last Vitamin D test showed that I am at 85. I was taking 5,000 IU's a day and so the doctor suggested I reduce that to 2,000 IU's a day. I have just started Ancient Minerals/Life Flow Magnesium Oil again. It was giving me terrible trouble with my skin so I stopped for awhile...guess I shouldn't have. In the past, it seemed that taking any Magnesium orally caused loose stools (even glycinate).
Yes, Tex, I did use 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed two day in a row in a serving of quinoa flakes for breakfast.
Oh and I did the testing with Enterlabs and it came back that I don't have a problem with anything but gluten. Go figure! (I have been gluten free for a very long time...years) I even did the followup test they suggest while they still have your sample and it also came back with nothing.
I am thinking of trying a small amount of Miralax today. Crossing my fingers.
I also don't really understand what is acceptable in terms of adding foods. My husband keeps telling me that mushy poop is not diarrhea but according to the Bristol scale it is. I only go once a day (when I can go), first thing in the morning but have rumbling and gas and feel like I could go on and off all day long. Very uncomfortable.
Sorry to be so descriptive!
Hope this sheds some light on my situation. Again any suggestions and help greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Debbie
In answer to your questions, my last Vitamin D test showed that I am at 85. I was taking 5,000 IU's a day and so the doctor suggested I reduce that to 2,000 IU's a day. I have just started Ancient Minerals/Life Flow Magnesium Oil again. It was giving me terrible trouble with my skin so I stopped for awhile...guess I shouldn't have. In the past, it seemed that taking any Magnesium orally caused loose stools (even glycinate).
Yes, Tex, I did use 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed two day in a row in a serving of quinoa flakes for breakfast.
Oh and I did the testing with Enterlabs and it came back that I don't have a problem with anything but gluten. Go figure! (I have been gluten free for a very long time...years) I even did the followup test they suggest while they still have your sample and it also came back with nothing.
I am thinking of trying a small amount of Miralax today. Crossing my fingers.
I also don't really understand what is acceptable in terms of adding foods. My husband keeps telling me that mushy poop is not diarrhea but according to the Bristol scale it is. I only go once a day (when I can go), first thing in the morning but have rumbling and gas and feel like I could go on and off all day long. Very uncomfortable.
Sorry to be so descriptive!
Hope this sheds some light on my situation. Again any suggestions and help greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Debbie
Your vitamin D level is obviously more than adequate so your doctor's recommendation is fine.
Be aware that non-Kosher brands of quinoa have been shown to be cross-contaminated with gluten.
Regarding the negative EnteroLab test results: have you been checked to rule out selective IgA deficiency? It's a simple blood test. If you are one of the approximately 1 in 500 who have selective IgA deficiency, you may get false negative results on all IgA-based tests. That applies to the celiac screening tests that all doctors use, and the EnteroLab tests. Gluten is such a powerful allergen that sometimes it will still show positive results at EnteroLab, but the other foods may show false-negative results if you have selective IgA deficiency.
Regarding the poop consistency, what was your stool like before the onset of MC? If it was always mushy, that may be normal for you. The consistency of stool often depends on the foods eaten. As a gauge of the amount of inflammation, once-a-day is good, but the urgency and rumbling (especially if it is loud) is a sign of intestinal inflammation.
Tex
Be aware that non-Kosher brands of quinoa have been shown to be cross-contaminated with gluten.
Regarding the negative EnteroLab test results: have you been checked to rule out selective IgA deficiency? It's a simple blood test. If you are one of the approximately 1 in 500 who have selective IgA deficiency, you may get false negative results on all IgA-based tests. That applies to the celiac screening tests that all doctors use, and the EnteroLab tests. Gluten is such a powerful allergen that sometimes it will still show positive results at EnteroLab, but the other foods may show false-negative results if you have selective IgA deficiency.
Regarding the poop consistency, what was your stool like before the onset of MC? If it was always mushy, that may be normal for you. The consistency of stool often depends on the foods eaten. As a gauge of the amount of inflammation, once-a-day is good, but the urgency and rumbling (especially if it is loud) is a sign of intestinal inflammation.
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.
Consistency
Thanks, Tex. I, like you, was constipated for my entire life or at least 45 years of it. Now this...so I guess mushy is not normal for me.
I will be more careful with the Quinoa.
I had several IgA tests done at the Mayo and all were negative. I think I am confused and starting to feel like giving up. Nothing works.
I appreciate your help.
Debbie
I will be more careful with the Quinoa.
I had several IgA tests done at the Mayo and all were negative. I think I am confused and starting to feel like giving up. Nothing works.
I appreciate your help.
Debbie
Debbie,
A number of years ago, a certified gluten-free label on Quinoa meant nothing, because many brands were cross-contaminated at the source, and labeled apparently without testing. You had to buy a Kosher brand, because it was actually tested for gluten content.
IgA tests in general mean nothing unless one of them is a test to rule out selective IgA deficiency. I assume that you're saying that you did have a test that ruled out selective IdA deficiency. IgA tests are very specific. They only test for antibodies to a specific protein. Most common foods contain many different types of protein. However most people who have food sensitivity issues to a given food are sensitive to the primary protein in that food, so this is usually the one tested. It's possible (though not common) to not be sensitive to the main protein, but sensitive to another protein in the food. For example, the egg test at EnterpLab is done on the albumin (which is the primary protein in the egg white). It's possible (but not common) to not be sensitive to the egg white, but be sensitive to a protein in the yellow.
But whatever you do, please don't ever give up. Rome wasn't built in a day, and no case of MC was resolved in a day. Resolving some cases can be very tricky, but if you keep searching, you will eventually find the last piece of the puzzle that's preventing you from reaching complete remission. When you're this close, you're almost there. Discovering the last piece of the puzzle can be a real challenge, but you can do it.
You're very welcome.
Tex
A number of years ago, a certified gluten-free label on Quinoa meant nothing, because many brands were cross-contaminated at the source, and labeled apparently without testing. You had to buy a Kosher brand, because it was actually tested for gluten content.
IgA tests in general mean nothing unless one of them is a test to rule out selective IgA deficiency. I assume that you're saying that you did have a test that ruled out selective IdA deficiency. IgA tests are very specific. They only test for antibodies to a specific protein. Most common foods contain many different types of protein. However most people who have food sensitivity issues to a given food are sensitive to the primary protein in that food, so this is usually the one tested. It's possible (though not common) to not be sensitive to the main protein, but sensitive to another protein in the food. For example, the egg test at EnterpLab is done on the albumin (which is the primary protein in the egg white). It's possible (but not common) to not be sensitive to the egg white, but be sensitive to a protein in the yellow.
But whatever you do, please don't ever give up. Rome wasn't built in a day, and no case of MC was resolved in a day. Resolving some cases can be very tricky, but if you keep searching, you will eventually find the last piece of the puzzle that's preventing you from reaching complete remission. When you're this close, you're almost there. Discovering the last piece of the puzzle can be a real challenge, but you can do it.
You're very welcome.
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.
Chiming in with my experience with Quinoa.....I've been gluten free since 2008, and every time I have had Quinoa over the past 5 years...in several forms, I would react...it seems my body thinks its gluten and always reacted strongly and that reaction would last many days....
I'm not saying that's true for you...just an example again of how we are all different and react to foods that may not troubl eothers or even be suspect...
Sunny
I'm not saying that's true for you...just an example again of how we are all different and react to foods that may not troubl eothers or even be suspect...
Sunny
"It is very difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it. "
Upton Sinclair
Upton Sinclair