Well I had my followup meeting with my nutritionist yesterday and we discussed the MRT results and came up with a meal plan to carry me through the trip to Australia, and as Deb is not terribly familiar with MC I wanted to review this with the group here and see what you might think.
Breakfasts:
Proteins: Nut Butters or Fish 2oz
Starch: White potato, quinoa
Juices such as grape, cranberry or orange
Tea or coffee
As needed: ghee, maple syrup, olive oil, cinnamon
Overall I am not sure of this for breakfast as having fish first thing in the morning does not sound that good. I was thinking of maybe some beef.
Lunches:
Proteins: Beef or Fish 4oz
Veggies: choose from safe foods and pick from 2 different colors ( the colors of the vegies)
Starch: Quinoa, white potato, amaranth and lima beans
Add: Olive or other safe oils
Misc: Avocado, garbanzo & pinto beans.
Juices, water, tea, coffee
Dinners:
Proteins: Beef or fish 4oz
Veggies: 1+ from safe list
Starches: Quinoa, white potato, amaranth, lima beans
Misc: Olive oil, avocado
Overall 60+ ounces of water per day
Now this looks.... interesting.... I had tried to have beef 3 times this week and I think that may be too much as I am having some D with beef and white potatoes. Last night I did revert to some chicken which just settles a lot better. I will have to try fish more often. I had cooked some salmon last weekend and had that as well. My impression is that beef is harder to digest and I need to limit my intake of it to maybe a couple servings over the week.
Of course this week I have not been feeling the greatest. I think the stress of the upcoming move and trip is starting to affect me a little.
I would certainly appreciate any feedback that you may be able to offer.
--Joe
Phase 1 Meal Plan (Modified)
Moderators: Rosie, JFR, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh, mbeezie
Joe,
I certainly don't claim to be an expert on human health, but I can tell you from experience, that with livestock, at least, the effects of any stressful conditions that normally lead to health issues, (such as drastic changes in environment/habitat, harsh weather, long-distance traveling, crowded conditions, weaning, etc.), are greatly magnified by any significant dietary changes that might be made concurrently. Of course, long-distance travel in itself often/usually necessitates radical changes in the diet, but that is only a short-term item. Making major (semi-permanent) diet changes just prior to that, can possibly throw a proverbial "monkey wrench" into the works, with unpredictable results. Call me anal, but personally, I would be reluctant to risk it, just prior to a trip half-way around the world.
Of course, if the new diet works, all will be fine. If it doesn't work, though, homeostasis can be a very elusive goal, for someone with an IBD or two. A long flight could seem like an eternity, with an active IBD.
Maybe I'm just overly-cautious, though.
Tex
I certainly don't claim to be an expert on human health, but I can tell you from experience, that with livestock, at least, the effects of any stressful conditions that normally lead to health issues, (such as drastic changes in environment/habitat, harsh weather, long-distance traveling, crowded conditions, weaning, etc.), are greatly magnified by any significant dietary changes that might be made concurrently. Of course, long-distance travel in itself often/usually necessitates radical changes in the diet, but that is only a short-term item. Making major (semi-permanent) diet changes just prior to that, can possibly throw a proverbial "monkey wrench" into the works, with unpredictable results. Call me anal, but personally, I would be reluctant to risk it, just prior to a trip half-way around the world.
Of course, if the new diet works, all will be fine. If it doesn't work, though, homeostasis can be a very elusive goal, for someone with an IBD or two. A long flight could seem like an eternity, with an active IBD.
Maybe I'm just overly-cautious, though.
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 Joe,
You have some interesting choices for meals.
The thought of eating fish for breakfast doesn't sound appealing to me either, but I'm not a big fish eater. When I was in Hawaii, I noticed that the Japanese eat it all day long. I think some of the European countries do also, as do the Jews in Israel.
I'm always leery of legumes, but some on the board are able to eat them. Perhaps you can, too.
There are a lot of things you can make with potatoes for breakfast: potato pancakes, hash browns, and skillet potatoes, which can be purchased frozen. Be careful not to buy name brand frozen potatoes, since they usually contain soy and/or flour. I always bought mine in the GF section of stores which cater to persons with allergies. I think the McCain is OK.
Pat has been eating Quinoa flakes as a cereal and I think she's spreading nut butter on top. You can also add cinnamon for extra flavor. I cook my coarse-ground quinoa with a 1:2 ratio of almond milk and water. I also put ghee in it.
Lunch and dinner choices look doable using beef or tuna. Nuworldfoods.com has recipes for amaranth. Amaranth has an earthy taste and it takes a little time to get used to. It's highly nutritious, however. You might be able to make the pancakes once you've tested arrowroot. Many egg-free GF recipes call for xanthan gum or egg replacer, but I've been making waffles, pancakes and muffins without either and they hold together well.
The first phase is a little hard because you're not used to some of the foods and you're pretty limited in your choices. It does get better pretty quickly, however.
You have some interesting choices for meals.
The thought of eating fish for breakfast doesn't sound appealing to me either, but I'm not a big fish eater. When I was in Hawaii, I noticed that the Japanese eat it all day long. I think some of the European countries do also, as do the Jews in Israel.I'm always leery of legumes, but some on the board are able to eat them. Perhaps you can, too.
There are a lot of things you can make with potatoes for breakfast: potato pancakes, hash browns, and skillet potatoes, which can be purchased frozen. Be careful not to buy name brand frozen potatoes, since they usually contain soy and/or flour. I always bought mine in the GF section of stores which cater to persons with allergies. I think the McCain is OK.
Pat has been eating Quinoa flakes as a cereal and I think she's spreading nut butter on top. You can also add cinnamon for extra flavor. I cook my coarse-ground quinoa with a 1:2 ratio of almond milk and water. I also put ghee in it.
Lunch and dinner choices look doable using beef or tuna. Nuworldfoods.com has recipes for amaranth. Amaranth has an earthy taste and it takes a little time to get used to. It's highly nutritious, however. You might be able to make the pancakes once you've tested arrowroot. Many egg-free GF recipes call for xanthan gum or egg replacer, but I've been making waffles, pancakes and muffins without either and they hold together well.
The first phase is a little hard because you're not used to some of the foods and you're pretty limited in your choices. It does get better pretty quickly, however.
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
-
Joefnh
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 2478
- Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:25 pm
- Location: Southern New Hampshire
Gloria thanks for weighing in here, I was hoping you would. Your right this is interesting and will take some adjustment, I do like fish, but have never had it for breakfast... As Tex wisely points out maybe this is too much of a change when I'm leaving in just about 3 weeks. I may try to only limit my rice intake for now. At this stage the rice and chicken settle the best. I can certainly substitute in quinoa or potatoes for some of the servings.
For those who have made the changes recommended for the LEAP process how much risk was there in how well you felt and reacted?
Does anyone here have any good recipes that use quinoa? I will take a look at the recipes section as well.
--Joe
For those who have made the changes recommended for the LEAP process how much risk was there in how well you felt and reacted?
Does anyone here have any good recipes that use quinoa? I will take a look at the recipes section as well.
--Joe
Joe
Well Joe, I can't add any experience with the MRT diet, or testing and diet, but I do have experience with change of "environment/habitat". My experience is, once being in your new "habitat", after settling in and after adapting the food routine into the new country, it's fine. That, at least in my case is not the stress.
But, last weeks were horrible. It all started about three weeks ago, when I decided it was time to go back. Most of the stress was, small maintenance things in my house (especially painting for me means stress and big drama, I hate it), packing my personal belonging, what should be put in storage (read my old bedroom in my parents house), what should I take with me, and how should I get it there. I had not even a problem of lack of time, that was all fine. It was the stress of doing things I really don't like (making my house ready for a renter), organizing my stuff and sort everything out. I think it almost got me into a major flair up. I say almost, but I was close to it.
So if you are heading a time of sorting out your stuff, to think of what to take with you, what to sell/give away, what to put in storage and all the other practical things you have to look after when you move out of the country, I agree with Tex its not the right moment for a new food regime. Even when you get help and a lot of things are organized for you, than still it's a lot on your mind. When I look back on my last weeks, I had the time that was not the problem. It's that having a lot on your mind and the feeling of loosing control. My advice would be, make a project plan of it. Start with it now. Write down what you have to do (even the smallest thing, like ending subcription, checking out insurances, what to do with your car, how to get Nurse nestle out of the country and into a new country), categorize them and make a schedule when you are going to do what or when something has to be done and you can tell others what they have to do. Make a project of it, with a project plan.
Not only to make things easier on yourself. I discovered that, at least for me, this kind of stress, feeling having too much on your mind, loosing control, constantly running behind things. It is bad for our health, bad for our MC, we (at least I) can't just afford it anymore.
One other tip (what I didn't do, and wish I did), once you start packing and shifting things, make a small survival package for yourself with things you daily need (like if you are going on a holiday). Clothes, personal hygiene things, a vitamin/medication supply, work things, laptop, phone. Life out of a suitcase. Because once things get separated over different boxes with different direction, you loose track and get lunatic. And again even with a lot of help, you are the only one that can do the thinking part. And make sure the food part is also ready made for a couple of weeks (a freezer/microwave supply), a part you don't want to think about and only needs little time.
What ever you decide good luck with it.
But, last weeks were horrible. It all started about three weeks ago, when I decided it was time to go back. Most of the stress was, small maintenance things in my house (especially painting for me means stress and big drama, I hate it), packing my personal belonging, what should be put in storage (read my old bedroom in my parents house), what should I take with me, and how should I get it there. I had not even a problem of lack of time, that was all fine. It was the stress of doing things I really don't like (making my house ready for a renter), organizing my stuff and sort everything out. I think it almost got me into a major flair up. I say almost, but I was close to it.
So if you are heading a time of sorting out your stuff, to think of what to take with you, what to sell/give away, what to put in storage and all the other practical things you have to look after when you move out of the country, I agree with Tex its not the right moment for a new food regime. Even when you get help and a lot of things are organized for you, than still it's a lot on your mind. When I look back on my last weeks, I had the time that was not the problem. It's that having a lot on your mind and the feeling of loosing control. My advice would be, make a project plan of it. Start with it now. Write down what you have to do (even the smallest thing, like ending subcription, checking out insurances, what to do with your car, how to get Nurse nestle out of the country and into a new country), categorize them and make a schedule when you are going to do what or when something has to be done and you can tell others what they have to do. Make a project of it, with a project plan.
Not only to make things easier on yourself. I discovered that, at least for me, this kind of stress, feeling having too much on your mind, loosing control, constantly running behind things. It is bad for our health, bad for our MC, we (at least I) can't just afford it anymore.
One other tip (what I didn't do, and wish I did), once you start packing and shifting things, make a small survival package for yourself with things you daily need (like if you are going on a holiday). Clothes, personal hygiene things, a vitamin/medication supply, work things, laptop, phone. Life out of a suitcase. Because once things get separated over different boxes with different direction, you loose track and get lunatic. And again even with a lot of help, you are the only one that can do the thinking part. And make sure the food part is also ready made for a couple of weeks (a freezer/microwave supply), a part you don't want to think about and only needs little time.
What ever you decide good luck with it.
"As the sense of identity shifts from the imaginary person to your real being as presence awareness, the life of suffering dissolves like mist before the rising sun"
Harma,
Just reading your post made me feel exhausted. Joe is fortunate that you have recently gone through the moving ordeal and can advise him.
Joe,
I didn't realize that you were going to undertake a dietary change before your visit this April. I wouldn't advise that. When I received my test results, I waited until after a trip to DD's before I met with the dietitian. In the meantime, I tried to eliminate the most egregious foods on the list, but ate the way I usually did otherwise. Your acceptable list is very different from the foods you are presently eating, so you may not be able to do a partial compliance on your trip. It's going to be difficult enough to make the flight under the best of circumstances. I wouldn't change course until you are back home.
Gloria
Just reading your post made me feel exhausted. Joe is fortunate that you have recently gone through the moving ordeal and can advise him.
Joe,
I didn't realize that you were going to undertake a dietary change before your visit this April. I wouldn't advise that. When I received my test results, I waited until after a trip to DD's before I met with the dietitian. In the meantime, I tried to eliminate the most egregious foods on the list, but ate the way I usually did otherwise. Your acceptable list is very different from the foods you are presently eating, so you may not be able to do a partial compliance on your trip. It's going to be difficult enough to make the flight under the best of circumstances. I wouldn't change course until you are back home.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Joe, I like your approach of taking this plan and adjusting it according to your experience with foods (like the beef), your personal preferences (I could probably eat fish for dessert, but if you don't care to have it for breakfast, I'm on your side), and your comfort level with the "positive" stress of the upcoming trip. Even happy and exciting things can rock the boat, and most of us seem to be tippier boats than average.
I am realizing that I can have a meal, or even several days of meals, that are not optimal as far as nutrition, as long as I take the long view.
It looks like a great start.
Sara
I am realizing that I can have a meal, or even several days of meals, that are not optimal as far as nutrition, as long as I take the long view.
It looks like a great start.
Sara
gloria, believe it was exhausting, it really was and it was very very very bad for MC, I know now how stress can be a big trigger to this disease.
"As the sense of identity shifts from the imaginary person to your real being as presence awareness, the life of suffering dissolves like mist before the rising sun"
-
irisheyes13
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:46 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Hi Joe- Wow, your dietitian has given you a meal plan that varies significantly from what you are used to. It's interesting that you are already noticing some subtle grumblings with the beef. Since it tested on the lower end of green on MRT, do you think you may handle it better if the beef was ground? I know that just because a food shows green on MRT, that doesn't mean it is necessarily safe but just a thought to try if you haven't already done so.
It's interesting that chicken and rice have both worked so well with you for so long and to find out that both of them are testing yellow and red on MRT had to be rather unsettling news for you. The fact that the Imuran you are on could be masking possible reactions makes sense however it seems odd that you tested green for beef and white potatoes and even on the Imuran you are noticing some unsettling symptoms... or it could be the upcoming trip. Tough to tell.
I'm with everyone else on this- why rock the boat right now in light of such a long trip in the near future? You've been doing so well, there is no reason to rush into making the changes all at once. That could make for a very miserable trip. At least you have received the MRT testing prior to your move to Oz and can make the transition slowly when the time is right.
I'm hoping to do MRT testing at some point as well and I've a suspicion I may be testing similar to you but who knows. Rice was working well for me but not so much these days. I bought some Quinoa flakes and made it for breakfast and it seem to settle okay but haven't tried the actual grain. Let us know how you do with it when you give it a try. I believe quinoa has some protein properties as well so if it agrees with you maybe it will give you a feeling of fullness for breakfast... I don't know if I could do fish for breakfast either but as Kari and others have said, it's amazing what we can adjust to for the sake of feeling better.
It's interesting that chicken and rice have both worked so well with you for so long and to find out that both of them are testing yellow and red on MRT had to be rather unsettling news for you. The fact that the Imuran you are on could be masking possible reactions makes sense however it seems odd that you tested green for beef and white potatoes and even on the Imuran you are noticing some unsettling symptoms... or it could be the upcoming trip. Tough to tell.
I'm with everyone else on this- why rock the boat right now in light of such a long trip in the near future? You've been doing so well, there is no reason to rush into making the changes all at once. That could make for a very miserable trip. At least you have received the MRT testing prior to your move to Oz and can make the transition slowly when the time is right.
I'm hoping to do MRT testing at some point as well and I've a suspicion I may be testing similar to you but who knows. Rice was working well for me but not so much these days. I bought some Quinoa flakes and made it for breakfast and it seem to settle okay but haven't tried the actual grain. Let us know how you do with it when you give it a try. I believe quinoa has some protein properties as well so if it agrees with you maybe it will give you a feeling of fullness for breakfast... I don't know if I could do fish for breakfast either but as Kari and others have said, it's amazing what we can adjust to for the sake of feeling better.
Kelly
Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things~ Joe Paterno
Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things~ Joe Paterno
From back when I was recovering, I can remember eating nuked, left-over, deep-fried catfish fillets, (breaded with seasoned rice flour), for breakfast now and then. As best I can recall, they were superb. In fact, now I'm wondering why I stopped doing that. 
Probably, I was just too lazy to prepare them ahead of time. Eggs and bacon, (or a bowl of GF cereal), are so much faster and easier.
Tex
Probably, I was just too lazy to prepare them ahead of time. Eggs and bacon, (or a bowl of GF cereal), are so much faster and easier.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 Joe,
Well, you can probably guess what I'm going to say. LOL. Of course, I agree with not rocking the boat until you return from Oz. And, I would recommend doing mostly paleo for now - no grains or legumes or ghee (somewhere in the LEAP manual it says not to use ghee if you have a dairy sensitivity). Even if you have only a few really safe foods figured out before you go, I would stick with them - eat them every day if necessary. If you get a chance to test one new starch before you go, fine. Otherwise just keep eating those white potatoes. That plan by your dietition looks heavy on the lectins to me. Of course, I will defer to whatever Mary Beth says.
Love,
Polly
Well, you can probably guess what I'm going to say. LOL. Of course, I agree with not rocking the boat until you return from Oz. And, I would recommend doing mostly paleo for now - no grains or legumes or ghee (somewhere in the LEAP manual it says not to use ghee if you have a dairy sensitivity). Even if you have only a few really safe foods figured out before you go, I would stick with them - eat them every day if necessary. If you get a chance to test one new starch before you go, fine. Otherwise just keep eating those white potatoes. That plan by your dietition looks heavy on the lectins to me. Of course, I will defer to whatever Mary Beth says.
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Hi Joe,
I posted to you on the "paging Pat" thread just a moment ago, before reading all of this. Basically, I was giving you a little warning about quinoa. It was low green for me, but I experienced quite a reaction to it, and have been staying away ever since - for the details, perhaps you can read my post there.
Anyhow, I am in total agreement with others here, who are recommending that you postpone your switch to the LEAP diet plan until after you're more settled. I don't want to belabor the point, but just thought I'd add my vote
. Lots of luck to you with whatever you decide to do.
This message is for Nurse Nestle: "Please take good care of Joe while he is going through this transition".
Love,
Kari
P.S. I have made several country to country, as well as state to state moves in the past, and they were always very challenging no matter how organized I tried to be.
I posted to you on the "paging Pat" thread just a moment ago, before reading all of this. Basically, I was giving you a little warning about quinoa. It was low green for me, but I experienced quite a reaction to it, and have been staying away ever since - for the details, perhaps you can read my post there.
Anyhow, I am in total agreement with others here, who are recommending that you postpone your switch to the LEAP diet plan until after you're more settled. I don't want to belabor the point, but just thought I'd add my vote
. Lots of luck to you with whatever you decide to do. This message is for Nurse Nestle: "Please take good care of Joe while he is going through this transition".
Love,
Kari
P.S. I have made several country to country, as well as state to state moves in the past, and they were always very challenging no matter how organized I tried to be.
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
-
Joefnh
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 2478
- Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:25 pm
- Location: Southern New Hampshire
Thanks for the input everyone. It does seem that even a few small changes may become an issue so why try it. I know that chicken lamb and fish work well and even rice as far as I can tell does not cause any issues, so why mess with it for now.
I will probably play around with quinoa some and see if that works ok. If I stay with my current diet with the meats veggies and gooey rice I know I will feel pretty good. A few of the recipes that I found on the quinoa website Gloria posted look pretty good so I may try to have those as a limited alternative.
Kari I gave Nestle your message and she says that not always easy as I tend not to listen... whatever that means...
Thanks again for the feedback. I look forward to Mary Beth's input overall on the recommended plan that I will start after I get back.
--Joe
I will probably play around with quinoa some and see if that works ok. If I stay with my current diet with the meats veggies and gooey rice I know I will feel pretty good. A few of the recipes that I found on the quinoa website Gloria posted look pretty good so I may try to have those as a limited alternative.
Kari I gave Nestle your message and she says that not always easy as I tend not to listen... whatever that means...
Thanks again for the feedback. I look forward to Mary Beth's input overall on the recommended plan that I will start after I get back.
--Joe
Joe
Joe,
In order to give LEAP a good shot you really need to be able to plan and cook with a very limited selection, which would be next to impossible when travelling. You could easily start to avoid reds and yellows, but to get the full benefit you will need to take the stepwise approach.
Legumes are suspicious but Kari has shown us that some people can tolerate them. You won't know until you try. If tolerated it is a good meatless option, which will be needed considering you are very sensitive to meats. I know Polly has started testing legumes and has tolerated split peas so far. I plan on testing them as well.
Your MRT results are difficult to work with, no doubt. It's always hard when there are staples that show up as reactive. I remember clearly being devastated that I was red reactive to tapioca as it is in almost every GF product and lettuce, which I ate daily. I really encourage you to (eventually) get off of lamb and rice even though you think they don't cause problems. After you have been off of them a while you can test them and get a better picture of what your response is. I've done that with each of my reactive foods. Sometimes we decide that a symptom caused by a particular food isn't so bad and we continue to eat the food. You won't know what rice does until you remove it for a period of time, get symptoms under control and then test it out.
Your dietitian may not fully understand MC but she knows the LEAP process - you can educate her on MC and the two of you can work together to sort out these issues. I'd be happy to answer any questions for you or for her (she can email me).
Mary Beth
In order to give LEAP a good shot you really need to be able to plan and cook with a very limited selection, which would be next to impossible when travelling. You could easily start to avoid reds and yellows, but to get the full benefit you will need to take the stepwise approach.
Legumes are suspicious but Kari has shown us that some people can tolerate them. You won't know until you try. If tolerated it is a good meatless option, which will be needed considering you are very sensitive to meats. I know Polly has started testing legumes and has tolerated split peas so far. I plan on testing them as well.
Your MRT results are difficult to work with, no doubt. It's always hard when there are staples that show up as reactive. I remember clearly being devastated that I was red reactive to tapioca as it is in almost every GF product and lettuce, which I ate daily. I really encourage you to (eventually) get off of lamb and rice even though you think they don't cause problems. After you have been off of them a while you can test them and get a better picture of what your response is. I've done that with each of my reactive foods. Sometimes we decide that a symptom caused by a particular food isn't so bad and we continue to eat the food. You won't know what rice does until you remove it for a period of time, get symptoms under control and then test it out.
Your dietitian may not fully understand MC but she knows the LEAP process - you can educate her on MC and the two of you can work together to sort out these issues. I'd be happy to answer any questions for you or for her (she can email me).
Mary Beth
"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles." - Dr. Wayne Dyer
Mary Beth, you are wonderfully demystifying the LEAP process before I have even gotten there, and I am so grateful. I am headed there, but it's down the road a piece (as they say in New England).
Joe - on a totally different note, have you read "Inside of a Dog"? It was my backup reading when I unexpectedly finished the book I had planned to last a whole vacation, and I highly recommend it to anyone with a dog somewhere around the center of their heart. It might be a great plane read, and a witty and wise means to hold Nestle in a big smile while you're away in Oz.
If you haven't already... I hope you'll put it on your packing list!
Sara
Joe - on a totally different note, have you read "Inside of a Dog"? It was my backup reading when I unexpectedly finished the book I had planned to last a whole vacation, and I highly recommend it to anyone with a dog somewhere around the center of their heart. It might be a great plane read, and a witty and wise means to hold Nestle in a big smile while you're away in Oz.
If you haven't already... I hope you'll put it on your packing list!
Sara