I have an atrial ablation done about 9 years ago. I have been in sinus rhythm since. When I got MC, I stopped my supplements with the ok from my 2 Cardiologists. My enterolab results were a lot like yours. I stayed on my heart meds and ate minimum foods. Turkey, elk venison and lamb with shanks bone broth from the lamb. I take the magnesium and vit d. I still eat plain, sweet potatoes with coconut oil on them and underripe bananas. I am in remission since the end of 2016. In 2018 I had a relapse due to a nasty cold. But it stopped with Budesnide and Immodium.
I hope this gives you encouragement.
Newbie with questions on recovery diet
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Brandy – Thanks for the tips. I’ll try the rose hip tea. Never heard of it before. Not sure about yellow bell peppers right now. I think I’ll hold off and try them a little later down the road. Dark meat turkey is one of my favourites, so it’s good to know it’s a source of taurine. I don’t eat shellfish of any kind (personal preference). And good to know that I might be able to pick up some coconut water minus the C at an Asian market.
Tex – Thanks for the background on Dr Fine. Interesting to know that he did not use these products on himself. He advertises that they were developed to solve his intestinal issues. I would call that false advertising. However, as you say, since I’ve already started on them, I might as well see how it goes. I'll be the guinea pig for the forum.
I’ll keep a journal as you suggest and be careful to keep my food intake to a small variety.
Laine provided me with her recipe for lamb broth which I would love to make as chicken 3+ and beef 2+ are on my immunologic list. However, I haven’t been able to find a supplier yet of lamb bones. In case I can't find them, just want to confirm that I need to stay away from chicken and beef broths too.
I’m on Day 2 of my supplements and recovery diet and so far, so good (I think!). Yesterday I did not have any BMs at all. Today, I had one this morning, which I think was a Bristol 6, but can’t say for sure because it sunk to the bottom and the water was brown so I couldn’t see it. Food intake has been limited to sweet potato, butternut squash, ground turkey, and ground pork (pork is on my 2+ list but the least immunologic). I’m not totally organized yet with my food supply so chanced the pork. I’m getting a large order of safe meats delivered this evening, so I’ll be in better shape going forward. Keeping it very bland, only salt and some ghee. So far I’m feeling good, have energy, no bloating, only a wee bit of gurgling and gas last evening.
Thanks to all for your help and support. This is a huge undertaking for me and it’s comforting to know that you are there to call upon when I have questions or concerns or just need some encouragement.
Tex – Thanks for the background on Dr Fine. Interesting to know that he did not use these products on himself. He advertises that they were developed to solve his intestinal issues. I would call that false advertising. However, as you say, since I’ve already started on them, I might as well see how it goes. I'll be the guinea pig for the forum.
I’ll keep a journal as you suggest and be careful to keep my food intake to a small variety.Laine provided me with her recipe for lamb broth which I would love to make as chicken 3+ and beef 2+ are on my immunologic list. However, I haven’t been able to find a supplier yet of lamb bones. In case I can't find them, just want to confirm that I need to stay away from chicken and beef broths too.
I’m on Day 2 of my supplements and recovery diet and so far, so good (I think!). Yesterday I did not have any BMs at all. Today, I had one this morning, which I think was a Bristol 6, but can’t say for sure because it sunk to the bottom and the water was brown so I couldn’t see it. Food intake has been limited to sweet potato, butternut squash, ground turkey, and ground pork (pork is on my 2+ list but the least immunologic). I’m not totally organized yet with my food supply so chanced the pork. I’m getting a large order of safe meats delivered this evening, so I’ll be in better shape going forward. Keeping it very bland, only salt and some ghee. So far I’m feeling good, have energy, no bloating, only a wee bit of gurgling and gas last evening.
Thanks to all for your help and support. This is a huge undertaking for me and it’s comforting to know that you are there to call upon when I have questions or concerns or just need some encouragement.
Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied?
And what is the use of being unhappy if it cannot be remedied?
~Dalai Lama
And what is the use of being unhappy if it cannot be remedied?
~Dalai Lama
Janie,
Hello fellow afibber! Congratulations on being in NSR for 9 years. I had an index ablation in August 2019 that went off the rails 2 days later. Second ablation in February this year and so far so good. Hope to stay in rhythm as long as you have and hopefully longer! But you never know with this beast.
I plan on continuing to take my magnesium, D and K2 for sure. It’s a combo that is important for not only heart health, but health in general. And I think the meats you are eating is what I will be doing as well. I mentioned in an earlier post that I couldn’t find lamb bones to make broth. I didn’t think of using shanks. Lamb shanks should be readily available.
And congratulations on your MC remission. I can hardly wait to get there! And your post has certainly given me encouragement.
Thank you!
Hello fellow afibber! Congratulations on being in NSR for 9 years. I had an index ablation in August 2019 that went off the rails 2 days later. Second ablation in February this year and so far so good. Hope to stay in rhythm as long as you have and hopefully longer! But you never know with this beast.
I plan on continuing to take my magnesium, D and K2 for sure. It’s a combo that is important for not only heart health, but health in general. And I think the meats you are eating is what I will be doing as well. I mentioned in an earlier post that I couldn’t find lamb bones to make broth. I didn’t think of using shanks. Lamb shanks should be readily available.
And congratulations on your MC remission. I can hardly wait to get there! And your post has certainly given me encouragement.
Thank you!
Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied?
And what is the use of being unhappy if it cannot be remedied?
~Dalai Lama
And what is the use of being unhappy if it cannot be remedied?
~Dalai Lama
Lorraine,
I didn't mean to imply that Dr Fine doesn't use those products — for all I know, he may be using them now, to resolve digestive issues. He's been a vegetarian for a number of years, though I don't know when he started. I merely meant that he didn't have those products when he initially achieved remission, although he may have used some of the whole food ingredients (such as blueberries, for example).
I agree with Brandy, you seem to be making good progress.
Tex
I didn't mean to imply that Dr Fine doesn't use those products — for all I know, he may be using them now, to resolve digestive issues. He's been a vegetarian for a number of years, though I don't know when he started. I merely meant that he didn't have those products when he initially achieved remission, although he may have used some of the whole food ingredients (such as blueberries, for example).
I agree with Brandy, you seem to be making good progress.
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 – Thanks for the clarification. That may very well be the case with Dr Fine.
Brandy – I did find a brand of coconut water, sans C, at a health food store. And it actually tastes better than the brand I had been buying.
Day 4 on the new diet and I’m feeling challenged with what cuts of my allowable meats to use and how to prepare them. So far, I’ve only been using ground meats and frying them up. Veggies are sweet potatoes or squash. Eating this 3 times a day is getting boring and not very appetizing. I need some variety. I’ll have to figure out how to cook other cuts of meat, keeping them bland, yet tasty, which is a challenge considering I'm not into cooking much to begin with.
Yesterday I felt out of sorts all day, nauseous, tired, brain fog and not hungry. Had 4 mushy BMs. However, today I’m feeling pretty good overall. Only one BM so far and definitely a Bristol 6. I could actually see it in the bowl! I got so excited! LOL.
I am a bit concerned about the weight loss I’ve experienced in the last 4 days. My normal weight is 125-127. At the commencement of this protocol 4 days ago, I was at 122 (down from my normal for some unknown reason). Today it’s 117. This is far too low for me. I’m 5’6” so this puts my BMI at the very low end of normal. I suppose the weight loss is to be expected, given the change in diet. Just hoping that I don’t drop any more and that it will come back on in the coming weeks.
Question about potatoes. White potatoes are a 2+ for me so I'm avoiding them for now. Is there any variety of potato that would be safe to eat beyond sweet potatoes?
Brandy – I did find a brand of coconut water, sans C, at a health food store. And it actually tastes better than the brand I had been buying.
Day 4 on the new diet and I’m feeling challenged with what cuts of my allowable meats to use and how to prepare them. So far, I’ve only been using ground meats and frying them up. Veggies are sweet potatoes or squash. Eating this 3 times a day is getting boring and not very appetizing. I need some variety. I’ll have to figure out how to cook other cuts of meat, keeping them bland, yet tasty, which is a challenge considering I'm not into cooking much to begin with.
Yesterday I felt out of sorts all day, nauseous, tired, brain fog and not hungry. Had 4 mushy BMs. However, today I’m feeling pretty good overall. Only one BM so far and definitely a Bristol 6. I could actually see it in the bowl! I got so excited! LOL.
I am a bit concerned about the weight loss I’ve experienced in the last 4 days. My normal weight is 125-127. At the commencement of this protocol 4 days ago, I was at 122 (down from my normal for some unknown reason). Today it’s 117. This is far too low for me. I’m 5’6” so this puts my BMI at the very low end of normal. I suppose the weight loss is to be expected, given the change in diet. Just hoping that I don’t drop any more and that it will come back on in the coming weeks.
Question about potatoes. White potatoes are a 2+ for me so I'm avoiding them for now. Is there any variety of potato that would be safe to eat beyond sweet potatoes?
Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied?
And what is the use of being unhappy if it cannot be remedied?
~Dalai Lama
And what is the use of being unhappy if it cannot be remedied?
~Dalai Lama
There will be good days and bad days during your recovery journey, but it sounds as though you're doing well. Weight loss goes with the disease, when it's active. We just have to ignore it and tough it out. You'll be able to regain the weight after you're in emission.
Colored potatoes (yellow, red, etc.) are easier to digest because they contain a different kind of starch than Russets. That might make them more tolerable, but I'm not sure about that.
Do you have a toaster oven (use foil to keep your meals gluten-free)? Broiling, baking, grilling are other easy options that will change the taste and texture of the meat.
Tex
Colored potatoes (yellow, red, etc.) are easier to digest because they contain a different kind of starch than Russets. That might make them more tolerable, but I'm not sure about that.
Do you have a toaster oven (use foil to keep your meals gluten-free)? Broiling, baking, grilling are other easy options that will change the taste and texture of the meat.
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.
In responding to Tex’s post, I was about to ask a stupid question on coloured potatoes. Wanted to know if he was referring to the flesh or the skin. However, before I submitted this post, I saw Brandy’s and so I have my answer.
I’m going to try your suggestions with the red and gold skin ones. Didn’t know there was such a thing as white sweet potatoes. I’ve never seen them in the stores. I’ll have to do a search. While I like the orange sweet potatoes occasionally, I don’t like them as a steady diet.
HockeyMom, you must have been skin and bones at 100#. I’m starting to look a little gaunt at 117. I sure hope I don’t drop as far down as you did. Especially since it took 2 years to put it back on.
Tex - I do have a toaster oven. No grill though. I’m only eating turkey, lamb and some pork right now, all ground. In a few weeks, I’ll get my order of fresh free-range turkeys and I’ll be roasting one of those guys for our Canadian Thanksgiving and putting the rest in the freezer. Yum… can hardly wait! In the meantime, I need to put in an order for some frozen pieces (legs, thighs, breast). I’ve no experience cooking lamb. Never bought it before. So I don’t know what kind of cuts to buy or how to cook it. It will be a learning experience. I have a supply of pork chops and a pork tenderloin and I’ll be baking or roasting them over the next week.
Implementing this diet is such an arduous task. It has consumed me this entire week. I’m hoping things will get easier as time goes on. I just have to hang in there.
Lesson learned is that one should prepare well ahead of time before starting the diet. If I had stocked up on my safe foods and made some ahead of time and frozen them, this first week would have rolled out better.
BTW, I'm curious about the penguins. Some members have them in their profile, whiles others don't. What do they signify?
I’m going to try your suggestions with the red and gold skin ones. Didn’t know there was such a thing as white sweet potatoes. I’ve never seen them in the stores. I’ll have to do a search. While I like the orange sweet potatoes occasionally, I don’t like them as a steady diet.
HockeyMom, you must have been skin and bones at 100#. I’m starting to look a little gaunt at 117. I sure hope I don’t drop as far down as you did. Especially since it took 2 years to put it back on.
Tex - I do have a toaster oven. No grill though. I’m only eating turkey, lamb and some pork right now, all ground. In a few weeks, I’ll get my order of fresh free-range turkeys and I’ll be roasting one of those guys for our Canadian Thanksgiving and putting the rest in the freezer. Yum… can hardly wait! In the meantime, I need to put in an order for some frozen pieces (legs, thighs, breast). I’ve no experience cooking lamb. Never bought it before. So I don’t know what kind of cuts to buy or how to cook it. It will be a learning experience. I have a supply of pork chops and a pork tenderloin and I’ll be baking or roasting them over the next week.
Implementing this diet is such an arduous task. It has consumed me this entire week. I’m hoping things will get easier as time goes on. I just have to hang in there.
Lesson learned is that one should prepare well ahead of time before starting the diet. If I had stocked up on my safe foods and made some ahead of time and frozen them, this first week would have rolled out better.
BTW, I'm curious about the penguins. Some members have them in their profile, whiles others don't. What do they signify?
Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied?
And what is the use of being unhappy if it cannot be remedied?
~Dalai Lama
And what is the use of being unhappy if it cannot be remedied?
~Dalai Lama
The penguins are just a rough indication of the number of posts written by each member. If I recall correctly, one has to write 50 posts before they will receive their first penguin.
Ground lamb is probably the best choice for getting started with lamb, so that you can gain some experience with it before trying other cuts.
Yes, after you've been at it for a while, shopping and cooking for your diet will become second nature. It will slowly become the norm. It sounds as though you're already learning a few shortcuts (cooking in batches and freezing individual portions, for example). You're well on your way.
Tex
Ground lamb is probably the best choice for getting started with lamb, so that you can gain some experience with it before trying other cuts.
Yes, after you've been at it for a while, shopping and cooking for your diet will become second nature. It will slowly become the norm. It sounds as though you're already learning a few shortcuts (cooking in batches and freezing individual portions, for example). You're well on your way.
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.
Hi Lorraine,Lorraine wrote:In responding to Tex’s post, I was about to ask a stupid question on coloured potatoes. Wanted to know if he was referring to the flesh or the skin. However, before I submitted this post, I saw Brandy’s and so I have my answer.
I’m going to try your suggestions with the red and gold skin ones. Didn’t know there was such a thing as white sweet potatoes. I’ve never seen them in the stores. I’ll have to do a search. While I like the orange sweet potatoes occasionally, I don’t like them as a steady diet.
HockeyMom, you must have been skin and bones at 100#. I’m starting to look a little gaunt at 117. I sure hope I don’t drop as far down as you did. Especially since it took 2 years to put it back on.
Tex - I do have a toaster oven. No grill though. I’m only eating turkey, lamb and some pork right now, all ground. In a few weeks, I’ll get my order of fresh free-range turkeys and I’ll be roasting one of those guys for our Canadian Thanksgiving and putting the rest in the freezer. Yum… can hardly wait! In the meantime, I need to put in an order for some frozen pieces (legs, thighs, breast). I’ve no experience cooking lamb. Never bought it before. So I don’t know what kind of cuts to buy or how to cook it. It will be a learning experience. I have a supply of pork chops and a pork tenderloin and I’ll be baking or roasting them over the next week.
Implementing this diet is such an arduous task. It has consumed me this entire week. I’m hoping things will get easier as time goes on. I just have to hang in there.
Lesson learned is that one should prepare well ahead of time before starting the diet. If I had stocked up on my safe foods and made some ahead of time and frozen them, this first week would have rolled out better.
BTW, I'm curious about the penguins. Some members have them in their profile, whiles others don't. What do they signify?
I find a turkey makes about 44 servings of protein. After we roast our Thanksgiving turkey dinner-Yum- I have my boyfriend pick the turkey off of the bones and then we freeze the leftover portions of turkey. I can pull out a serving of turkey for future meals. Easy Peasy!
Thanks for enlightening me about the penguins.tex wrote:The penguins are just a rough indication of the number of posts written by each member. If I recall correctly, one has to write 50 posts before they will receive their first penguin.
Ground lamb is probably the best choice for getting started with lamb, so that you can gain some experience with it before trying other cuts.
Had my first taste of ground lamb yesterday. Despite no seasonings or condiments, it was actually quite tasty. I did top it with some salt though.
I also cooked some lamb shanks in the crockpot overnight. Had a few nibbles when it was done... yummy! My plan is to make a soup tomorrow with the cooked lamb and some carrots. The broth is sitting in the fridge waiting for the fat to harden on the top so I can skim it off.
That must be some big mother of a turkey! With a 16 pounder, I usually can only get maybe 20 servings.brandy wrote:I find a turkey makes about 44 servings of protein. After we roast our Thanksgiving turkey dinner-Yum- I have my boyfriend pick the turkey off of the bones and then we freeze the leftover portions of turkey. I can pull out a serving of turkey for future meals. Easy Peasy!
Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied?
And what is the use of being unhappy if it cannot be remedied?
~Dalai Lama
And what is the use of being unhappy if it cannot be remedied?
~Dalai Lama
Late chiming in here, but as another person who was new to lamb recently (I began The Journey in July), I can say that I can find lamb chops and shoulder steaks at Sam's Club and my local grocery, and also am lucky enough to have a friend who runs a farm and raises beef and sheep. I save the lamb bones from anything I eat and put them in a big freezer bag. When it's up to 3 lb I use my crockpot recipe (water, 2 TB apple cider vinegar, 12 hours on low) and then get broth that way. But I keep all the fat because I find I really want some fat in this diet. I've lost 10-12 lbs in 2+ months but seem to have steadied a bit lately. Mercifully that was weight that I needed off anyway.
Another thing I learned with ground turkey - I could buy a large pack at Sam's and portion it into burgers, then bake in the oven. That was faster than frying individually, and also yielded better results - more tender. I'd then freeze the excess to use later. They are quite terribly bland and depressing at times, so I throw on some coconut oil and salt and it gets me by.
Good luck!
Another thing I learned with ground turkey - I could buy a large pack at Sam's and portion it into burgers, then bake in the oven. That was faster than frying individually, and also yielded better results - more tender. I'd then freeze the excess to use later. They are quite terribly bland and depressing at times, so I throw on some coconut oil and salt and it gets me by.
Good luck!