What CAN I eat?
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
What CAN I eat?
I found out I had Celiac Disease 11/27/06 and MC 1/07. I have been gluten free since 12/05/06. I have had alot of back and stomach pain since I went gluten free. My gastro doctor took me off all fruits, veggies and dairy products in Feb. I tried a salad and a banana last week and it about killed me. I am so sick of eating just meat, potatoes and rice. Anyone have similar symptoms? Anything fun and new I could try to eat without pain? thanks for your great message boards, I have been reading them since Feb! You all have helped me on my "dark" days when I get to feeling sorry for myself!
-Sandy
Celiac Disease 11/06
Lymphocytic Colitis 1/07
Gluten Free since 12/06
Celiac Disease 11/06
Lymphocytic Colitis 1/07
Gluten Free since 12/06
Sandy--you and I are twins!! I found out in January that I, too, have lc, and in March that I have celiac. I am in the same spot you are--feeling like you-know-what and sick of it, and am sick of eating meat, eggs and veggies. I am eating cooked veggies and some salads, though I never feel well afterward I eat salad. Sometimes I just crave them, though! I am finding that I'm either starving all the time because I feel so badly after I eat, or I'm feeling horrible because of what I've eaten. I'm also staying away from most fruits, though I'll occasionally have an apple or a couple of strawberries.
Have you tried any gluten free/dairy free breads? There are some pretty good mixes out there. Pamela's is our favorite so far, and they are both gluten and dairy free. I have lots of recipes, but I'll have to look through them to see what is what before I pass them on to you.
Can you do soy? Some of my recipes that I've found call for milk, but work just fine with soy milk. I'm supposed to be off dairy as well, but that's the hard one for me...
What about sugar--can you have it? Do you like sweets? I know they're not the best for you, but sometimes you just need a little something for variety. I do have lots of recipes for cookies, etc., if you want any of those, let me know.
How about nuts or other snacks? There are lots of gluten free, dairy free snacks out there as well--crackers, pretzels, popcorn, etc. I'm not sure what you can tolerate right now.
I'm sorry you're in the same boat I am, but it's so nice to hear of someone else who has both like I do--we're just lucky, I guess!
Wendy
Have you tried any gluten free/dairy free breads? There are some pretty good mixes out there. Pamela's is our favorite so far, and they are both gluten and dairy free. I have lots of recipes, but I'll have to look through them to see what is what before I pass them on to you.
Can you do soy? Some of my recipes that I've found call for milk, but work just fine with soy milk. I'm supposed to be off dairy as well, but that's the hard one for me...
What about sugar--can you have it? Do you like sweets? I know they're not the best for you, but sometimes you just need a little something for variety. I do have lots of recipes for cookies, etc., if you want any of those, let me know.
How about nuts or other snacks? There are lots of gluten free, dairy free snacks out there as well--crackers, pretzels, popcorn, etc. I'm not sure what you can tolerate right now.
I'm sorry you're in the same boat I am, but it's so nice to hear of someone else who has both like I do--we're just lucky, I guess!
Wendy
Hi Sandy,
Welcome aboard. It's good to "see" you posting.
I'm pretty sure that I'm a celiac, also, but I was never officially diagnosed. (My GI doc never tested me for it). If you've read my posts about my "oat challenge", you know that I am also sensitive to the prolamin in oats, avenin.
I apparently had a lot of damage to my small intestine, because for roughly three years, I lived on meat, potatoes, occasionally a little rice, well-cooked green beans, and broccoli, and chocolate chip cookies, (made with rice flour). Even beef bothered me, though it only caused minor symptoms. Now, I seem to be able to eat virtually anything, except anything containing gluten, or avenin, or course.
My favorite treat is still a product that I discovered while I was still healing - gluten free doughnuts, by Kinnikkinnick, (you can find them in the freezer, in many health food stores). As GF products go, they're great, if you can eat sugar. For a couple of years, I got sick if I ate more than a trace of sugar - except for maple sugar. I could eat as much maple sugar as I wanted, with no problems. I have no idea why maple sugar was ok, because even honey bothered me.
Many of us found that we could eat/drink smoothies, made with, say, half a banana, some strawberries, a handful of blueberries, and either apple cider, or coconut milk, depending on how rich you want it to be. If you use frozen berries, (including the bananas), you won't even have to add any ice to the blend. I usually added a few pieces of pure maple candy, to give it a sweeter flavor, and sometimes I added a few pieces of mangoes, which also add some sweetness.
Incidentally, frozen bananas, (peel them first, and put them in a ziploc bag, before putting them in the freeaer), make a pretty good GF treat. They're almost as good as a banana popsicle, plus, they're a great source of potassium, which many of us, (especially celiacs), are short on, due to malabsorption problems. I ate a lot of them while my gut was healing.
I hope you can find a lot of useful information here, to help smooth your path back to health. Don't be afraid to ask questions. We've all been there, done that. Again, welcome to our online family.
Tex
Welcome aboard. It's good to "see" you posting.
I'm pretty sure that I'm a celiac, also, but I was never officially diagnosed. (My GI doc never tested me for it). If you've read my posts about my "oat challenge", you know that I am also sensitive to the prolamin in oats, avenin.
I apparently had a lot of damage to my small intestine, because for roughly three years, I lived on meat, potatoes, occasionally a little rice, well-cooked green beans, and broccoli, and chocolate chip cookies, (made with rice flour). Even beef bothered me, though it only caused minor symptoms. Now, I seem to be able to eat virtually anything, except anything containing gluten, or avenin, or course.
My favorite treat is still a product that I discovered while I was still healing - gluten free doughnuts, by Kinnikkinnick, (you can find them in the freezer, in many health food stores). As GF products go, they're great, if you can eat sugar. For a couple of years, I got sick if I ate more than a trace of sugar - except for maple sugar. I could eat as much maple sugar as I wanted, with no problems. I have no idea why maple sugar was ok, because even honey bothered me.
Many of us found that we could eat/drink smoothies, made with, say, half a banana, some strawberries, a handful of blueberries, and either apple cider, or coconut milk, depending on how rich you want it to be. If you use frozen berries, (including the bananas), you won't even have to add any ice to the blend. I usually added a few pieces of pure maple candy, to give it a sweeter flavor, and sometimes I added a few pieces of mangoes, which also add some sweetness.
Incidentally, frozen bananas, (peel them first, and put them in a ziploc bag, before putting them in the freeaer), make a pretty good GF treat. They're almost as good as a banana popsicle, plus, they're a great source of potassium, which many of us, (especially celiacs), are short on, due to malabsorption problems. I ate a lot of them while my gut was healing.
I hope you can find a lot of useful information here, to help smooth your path back to health. Don't be afraid to ask questions. We've all been there, done that. Again, welcome to our online family.
Tex
Wendy,
Have you tried hemp milk? It's much, much healthier than soy milk. So is coconut milk, for that matter, but coconut milk is pretty rich stuff - a lot of calories. Almond milk is healthier than soy milk, but if I recall correctly, most of it also includes some soy, (though obviously not anywhere near as much as soy milk).
Tex
Have you tried hemp milk? It's much, much healthier than soy milk. So is coconut milk, for that matter, but coconut milk is pretty rich stuff - a lot of calories. Almond milk is healthier than soy milk, but if I recall correctly, most of it also includes some soy, (though obviously not anywhere near as much as soy milk).
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.
Thanks Wendy and Tex! I have tried some gluten free products, but for the most part have not been hungry enough to like them! Still missing my oreos and chip ahoys!
Wish I could do a fruit smoothie, but for now I am not suppose to do any fruits or veggies (cooked or raw). I do not like potatoes, except crisp french fries or hash browns (it's a texture thing, cause I do not like any beans of any type). My gastro dr assures me my tastes will change and I will learn to like beans and mashed/baked potatoes.
I am concerned about a corn allergy, seem fine with soy, but I have been eating a lot of mexican with corn tortillas, wonder if that is not part of my problem. I did try the BRAT diet (Bananas, rice, applesauce and tea) for 3 days and did not notice ANY change. Can you be tested for corn, dairy (casien) and soy allergies? I have an appt w/ my gastro dr on 5/24/07 to do more tests, would like to find out as much as possible. Tex, any suggestions on specific tests I should request? You seem so up on everything! Any suggestions would be great! Thanks so much for your support!
-Sandy
Wish I could do a fruit smoothie, but for now I am not suppose to do any fruits or veggies (cooked or raw). I do not like potatoes, except crisp french fries or hash browns (it's a texture thing, cause I do not like any beans of any type). My gastro dr assures me my tastes will change and I will learn to like beans and mashed/baked potatoes.
I am concerned about a corn allergy, seem fine with soy, but I have been eating a lot of mexican with corn tortillas, wonder if that is not part of my problem. I did try the BRAT diet (Bananas, rice, applesauce and tea) for 3 days and did not notice ANY change. Can you be tested for corn, dairy (casien) and soy allergies? I have an appt w/ my gastro dr on 5/24/07 to do more tests, would like to find out as much as possible. Tex, any suggestions on specific tests I should request? You seem so up on everything! Any suggestions would be great! Thanks so much for your support!
-Sandy
-Sandy
Celiac Disease 11/06
Lymphocytic Colitis 1/07
Gluten Free since 12/06
Celiac Disease 11/06
Lymphocytic Colitis 1/07
Gluten Free since 12/06
Sandy,
In case you haven't already discovered this, be aware that most commercial french fries are "enriched" by means of a soak that contains gluten. Also, many of us have problems with beans, (and other legumes), because of the lectins that they contain. Besides, additional gas is not something that we need, when we are already experiencing bloating, due to an MC reaction, and we're having trouble getting rid of the gas that is already trapped inside us.
A number of us have or had a corn intolerance issue. It's a much tougher item to avoid than gluten, because it is in a wider range of products. Just look at how many products contain high fructose corn syrup, for example, (all but one or two bottled soft drinks), or dextrose, (most deli meats, for example). I was corn intolerant, until my GI tract finished healing.
The bad news is that the commonly available blood tests, and skin tests, which most doctors use to test for allergies, will not detect the type of food intolerances that we have. The stool tests available at Enterolab, are much more sensitive, and will detect them. However, many doctors, (and insurance companies), do not yet recognize them as legitimate tests, because there has not been much research information published about these tests, though they are patented, and the lab is fully accredited by the proper regulatory agencies. (Recognition and acceptance often seems agonizingly slowly in the medical world).
As a rule of thumb, the doctors who are informed, open-minded, actually listen to their patients, and are anxious to help them, in any way they can, recognize the tests as valid; and those who are stuck in a rut, insecure, and defensive of their qualifications as an expert, and/or think they know it all, already, laugh at the tests, and consider them to be quackery.
I apologize if you're already aware of some or all of this, but anyway, the bottom line is that there is no corn test available, (yet), at Enterolab, so there is no corn test that will work for us. Tests for casein, gluten, egg, soy, and yeast, are available there, though, as I mentioned, many insurance companies will not pay for them.
Here's the really bad news. It takes some of us almost a year to see remission, after modifying our diets. However, gluten damage seems to require the most healing time, and most of us have responded within a few days, to a few weeks after cutting out secondary food intolerances, after our gut has recovered sufficiently from the gluten damage. On the other hand, some people here have seen their symptoms stop within a few days of starting their diet. It took me a year and a half after adopting the GF diet, but that was because at that point in my life, I didn't have the benefit of all the accumulated knowledge available with this group. I kept thinking that my casein and corn intolerances were just short-term, and I kept testing them. Once I cut them completely out of my diet, in a couple of weeks, I had my life back.
I don't know if you are interested in trying meds, as a way to relieve the symptoms, while your diet changes have time to do their work, but those who choose to use meds, to speed up the process, sometimes see relief in just a day or two, though it often takes a week or so, and sometimes longer. This allows them to avoid most of the symptoms, for weeks or months, while their gut is healing, and then they can taper off the meds, and control their symptoms by diet alone. Since you're a celiac, meds without diet changes is not an option, but I see no reason why they couldn't be used in the short-term. I'm not promoting the use of meds here, I'm simply mentioning this option, in case it seems to be taking longer than it should, to achieve remission, and you want some relief, in the meantime.
Budesonide, (Entocort), is a safe treatment for celiacs, since it has been documented as a suitable treatment for refractory sprue, (under long-term treatment conditions). Prednisone, of course, could be used, but that's a drug that carries significant risk of adverse side effects, and most of us don't consider it to be a "safe" option, for long-term treatment.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract
Sorry, I got kind of carried away here. If I didn't answer some of your questions, or if I only confused the issue with my ramblings, please let me know, and I'll try to do a better job of addressing the issues you are interested in. We are all so different, and our doctors have such different "attitudes", and qualifications, that there are a heck of a lot of "ifs", "ands", or "buts" involved in finding a personal treatment program that works best for each of us. We learn as we go, (and so do our doctors, if they are open-minded).
Tex
In case you haven't already discovered this, be aware that most commercial french fries are "enriched" by means of a soak that contains gluten. Also, many of us have problems with beans, (and other legumes), because of the lectins that they contain. Besides, additional gas is not something that we need, when we are already experiencing bloating, due to an MC reaction, and we're having trouble getting rid of the gas that is already trapped inside us.
A number of us have or had a corn intolerance issue. It's a much tougher item to avoid than gluten, because it is in a wider range of products. Just look at how many products contain high fructose corn syrup, for example, (all but one or two bottled soft drinks), or dextrose, (most deli meats, for example). I was corn intolerant, until my GI tract finished healing.
The bad news is that the commonly available blood tests, and skin tests, which most doctors use to test for allergies, will not detect the type of food intolerances that we have. The stool tests available at Enterolab, are much more sensitive, and will detect them. However, many doctors, (and insurance companies), do not yet recognize them as legitimate tests, because there has not been much research information published about these tests, though they are patented, and the lab is fully accredited by the proper regulatory agencies. (Recognition and acceptance often seems agonizingly slowly in the medical world).
As a rule of thumb, the doctors who are informed, open-minded, actually listen to their patients, and are anxious to help them, in any way they can, recognize the tests as valid; and those who are stuck in a rut, insecure, and defensive of their qualifications as an expert, and/or think they know it all, already, laugh at the tests, and consider them to be quackery.
I apologize if you're already aware of some or all of this, but anyway, the bottom line is that there is no corn test available, (yet), at Enterolab, so there is no corn test that will work for us. Tests for casein, gluten, egg, soy, and yeast, are available there, though, as I mentioned, many insurance companies will not pay for them.
Here's the really bad news. It takes some of us almost a year to see remission, after modifying our diets. However, gluten damage seems to require the most healing time, and most of us have responded within a few days, to a few weeks after cutting out secondary food intolerances, after our gut has recovered sufficiently from the gluten damage. On the other hand, some people here have seen their symptoms stop within a few days of starting their diet. It took me a year and a half after adopting the GF diet, but that was because at that point in my life, I didn't have the benefit of all the accumulated knowledge available with this group. I kept thinking that my casein and corn intolerances were just short-term, and I kept testing them. Once I cut them completely out of my diet, in a couple of weeks, I had my life back.
I don't know if you are interested in trying meds, as a way to relieve the symptoms, while your diet changes have time to do their work, but those who choose to use meds, to speed up the process, sometimes see relief in just a day or two, though it often takes a week or so, and sometimes longer. This allows them to avoid most of the symptoms, for weeks or months, while their gut is healing, and then they can taper off the meds, and control their symptoms by diet alone. Since you're a celiac, meds without diet changes is not an option, but I see no reason why they couldn't be used in the short-term. I'm not promoting the use of meds here, I'm simply mentioning this option, in case it seems to be taking longer than it should, to achieve remission, and you want some relief, in the meantime.
Budesonide, (Entocort), is a safe treatment for celiacs, since it has been documented as a suitable treatment for refractory sprue, (under long-term treatment conditions). Prednisone, of course, could be used, but that's a drug that carries significant risk of adverse side effects, and most of us don't consider it to be a "safe" option, for long-term treatment.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract
Sorry, I got kind of carried away here. If I didn't answer some of your questions, or if I only confused the issue with my ramblings, please let me know, and I'll try to do a better job of addressing the issues you are interested in. We are all so different, and our doctors have such different "attitudes", and qualifications, that there are a heck of a lot of "ifs", "ands", or "buts" involved in finding a personal treatment program that works best for each of us. We learn as we go, (and so do our doctors, if they are open-minded).
Tex
You are a wealth of knowledge! Thank you for all the info. I am on the search for a new family doctor, mine told me I was "out of his league" and he was not comfortable treating me with both celiac & lc. I'm not sure too many family dr's see someone like me in their career.
Sounds like I should stop using corn and see if I notice any results. My gastro dr came from Mayo Clinic in MN and trained with a gastro dr that only saw celiac's so he is very "up" on any testing. I will see if he thinks we can get my ins to cover the tests, anything at this point is better than nothing.
Again Tex, I thank you for all your info!
-Sandy
Sounds like I should stop using corn and see if I notice any results. My gastro dr came from Mayo Clinic in MN and trained with a gastro dr that only saw celiac's so he is very "up" on any testing. I will see if he thinks we can get my ins to cover the tests, anything at this point is better than nothing.
Again Tex, I thank you for all your info!
-Sandy
-Sandy
Celiac Disease 11/06
Lymphocytic Colitis 1/07
Gluten Free since 12/06
Celiac Disease 11/06
Lymphocytic Colitis 1/07
Gluten Free since 12/06
You're quite correct about most doctors' slim chance of encountering a patient with your combination of issues, but as GI docs get better at diagnosing these diseases, the numbers of diagnosed cases are rising fairly rapidly. Many of us, (especially those of us who can't find a GI doc who is experienced in diagnosing and treating these issues), learn how to work out a treatment plan for ourselves, (especially if it is based entirely on diet changes), and our GPs work with us, (and learn with us), and help with tests and meds, if needed, to make sure our general health is on track.
With those credentials, your GI doc should be "up to speed" on these issues, and hopefully, he'll be familiar with Dr. Fines research, and his testing procedures at Enterolab. Good luck with your appointment.
And, of course, you're most welcome,
Tex
With those credentials, your GI doc should be "up to speed" on these issues, and hopefully, he'll be familiar with Dr. Fines research, and his testing procedures at Enterolab. Good luck with your appointment.
And, of course, you're most 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.
-
kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1321
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
- Location: Vermont
Hi Sandy,
It does take time to heal. I've been "playing" with a gf diet for about 4 years now and finally took the complete plunge in Sept. 06. I still feel like I'm improving and I don't have half the reaction some of the others here have.
Stick with it. You will start feeling better and will find the foods that work for you. It is a lot of trial and error, but the first step is to keep it simple so when you introduce something else you will be able to tell whether you have a reaction or not.
Katy
It does take time to heal. I've been "playing" with a gf diet for about 4 years now and finally took the complete plunge in Sept. 06. I still feel like I'm improving and I don't have half the reaction some of the others here have.
Stick with it. You will start feeling better and will find the foods that work for you. It is a lot of trial and error, but the first step is to keep it simple so when you introduce something else you will be able to tell whether you have a reaction or not.
Katy
Thanks for the support Katy, It is nice to have all of you will the same issues, you guys seem to be the only ones who understand!
I have been adding dairy slowly and seem to be ok with cheese. tried a small glass of milk and did okay too. But a salad and banana were not good!
Thanks again!
Sandy
I have been adding dairy slowly and seem to be ok with cheese. tried a small glass of milk and did okay too. But a salad and banana were not good!
Thanks again!
Sandy
-Sandy
Celiac Disease 11/06
Lymphocytic Colitis 1/07
Gluten Free since 12/06
Celiac Disease 11/06
Lymphocytic Colitis 1/07
Gluten Free since 12/06
-
artteacher
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 731
- Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:13 pm
.
Hi Sandy,
I'm sorry you don't like potatoes - they're about the only safe starch I have it seems. But I thought you might like the almond flour pancakes I mentioned in another post. I don't have the recipe on me right at the moment, but in the morning I'll get it and post here. I order mine from California by big bags and keep it in the fridge. Much less expensive, and actually tastes better, too.
Talk to you in the morning! Marsha
I'm sorry you don't like potatoes - they're about the only safe starch I have it seems. But I thought you might like the almond flour pancakes I mentioned in another post. I don't have the recipe on me right at the moment, but in the morning I'll get it and post here. I order mine from California by big bags and keep it in the fridge. Much less expensive, and actually tastes better, too.
Talk to you in the morning! Marsha
That would be wonderful! I keep trying potatoes but just cannot get myself to like them no matter how much "stuff" I put on them! It is not only the taste but the texture too!
My husband used to be the pancake king on the weekends! It would be great to start that again!
Thanks and look forward to hearing from you! -Sandy
My husband used to be the pancake king on the weekends! It would be great to start that again!
Thanks and look forward to hearing from you! -Sandy
-Sandy
Celiac Disease 11/06
Lymphocytic Colitis 1/07
Gluten Free since 12/06
Celiac Disease 11/06
Lymphocytic Colitis 1/07
Gluten Free since 12/06