Worried about rotation

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tnelson
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Worried about rotation

Post by tnelson »

I wonder if I can ask another question here (ha, this probably isn't the last question!)

With two more foods tested and eliminated, I have only 12 foods I can eat safely. I tried to add green pepper yesterday, the bowels immediately stepped up and I was up at 5:00 a.m. this morning. I feel like I'm standing on a 1 foot-square island with sharks all around. The worst, though, is that I worry that I'll become sensitive to the foods that I can now eat safely (it's been 10 weeks already of not much variety), and then what will I do?

Is developing more sensitivity a real concern? If I lose these 12 foods due to additional sensitivities, I am really going to be sunk. I need to keep my little island. Help! Please! Any advice at all would be appreciated.

Advising to add more foods and rotate them is good advice, but I find myself, frankly, in quite a panic. I've tried to add the following foods without success: Olive oil (might have been contaminated), Sunflower oil, Tomatoes, Green peppers (I hear the nightshades can be a problem), Buckwheat, Oats, Pineapple, Strawberries. I was able to add watermelon, broccoli, and zuchinni.

Are there any foods that practically everyone finds safe? I am apparently at the maximum end of the reactivity scale right now. I surely hope it will calm down. GF/DF/SF/EF is one thing, but right now I'm almost everything-free, and it's getting harder to see me from sideways.

Thanks for listening to my long and scared posting, and looking forward to any suggestions.

--T
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Zizzle
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Post by Zizzle »

T,
Your list sounds like my unsafe list! I have a horrible time with peppers (a raw red pepper binge just caused a flare this week), I avoid raw tomatoes, I've always developed oral allergy symptoms to pineapple, and strawberries seem OK lately, although I worry about all the pesticides and antifungals they are treated with. Watermelon, one of my all-time favorite foods, seems to go right through me. I thought it was the fiber. When it caused severe diarrhea in my daughter, I read it has high levels of sorbitol, salycilates, and fructose, which can all make D worse. I'm fine with cooked broccoli (one of my staples - I eat it several times a week), and zuchini. Moderation in all these foods is key.

Some almost universally safe foods include sweet potato and squashes (butternut, acorn, spaghetti), cooked carrots, bananas, cooked or at least peeled apples, rice products, and most tolerate red, yellow and white potatoes (despite being a nightshade).
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tex
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Post by tex »

I agree with Zizzle, before I was able to heal, every food you named (except zucchini and broccoli) would make me sick. In general, fruits and most vegetables are not good choices while we are recovering, but a few can be tolerated in limited amounts. Look for foods such as plain meats, fish, and root or tuber vegetables (such as potatoes and sweet potatoes). Most squash are also safe, as Zizzle mentioned. Look for minimum fiber and minimum fructose and sorbitol in any fruits or vegetables that you try. And as Zizzle says, moderation is mandatory, if you eat foods that contain those ingredients.

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Post by Kari »

Hi T,

I had to chuckle when I read about your "little island" - it conjured up a perfect image of how I feel much of the time. However, having been at this diet juggling for almost 2 years now, I feel slightly less panicked about the sharks getting me :lol: . Zizzle has probably covered the most consistently tolerated foods - however, I thought I'd mention coconut products (oil, flakes, water, milk, etc.). Can't remember anyone here having problems with those. I frequently use coconut oil for sauteing - such as chicken breast, shrimp and tilapia. Being generous with the amount provides extra calories that I sorely need.

Speaking for myself, I don't worry too much about rotation, because like you I don't have enough foods in my diet to do it consistently. Even though there is always a chance of developing new intolerances, I feel confident that there will be other foods that can be added. Also, as you stick to eliminating the worst offenders, you will gradually heal, and eventually be able to add more foods rather than subtracting. One thing that really helped me with decreasing the worrying was to do the MRT test, which provides a nice guideline of how your body reacts to various foods and chemicals.

You WILL get better as times goes by, so hang in there and try to distract yourself from worrying too much with things that give you pleasure - good luck!!!

Love,
Kari
"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
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tex
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Post by tex »

T.,

FWIW, the only time in my life that I tried a rotation diet (with oats), it didn't work, and I eventually began reacting to it anyway. I eat the same foods virtually every day, and my staples are still the same ones that I have always eaten, all my life (except for everything that contains gluten and dairy).

The theory behind the rotation diet is that it should allow one to eat foods to which we produce antibodies at a low level, and by allowing time for the antibody level to decay between "doses", the antibody level should never build up to the point at which it exceeds our personal threshold, and triggers a reaction. That's the theory, but realistically, the odds are stacked against it working, except in cases which involve extremely low levels of sensitivity.

IMO, either we are sensitive to a food or not, and while rotation might temporarily postpone building up a high antibody level and triggering a reaction, it cannot totally prevent an increasing antibody level in the long run, unless we rotate on a very lengthy schedule (as in terms of intervals that involve months). The key is to eat foods to which we do not produce any antibodies, and those foods should continue to be safe, no matter how often we eat them.

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Zizzle
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Post by Zizzle »

Avocado is another great food to add to your safe (and very good for you) list. I think many tolerate mango and papaya well too.
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Post by Leah »

Hi T. Zizzle said most of the things I would say. The list of foods you tried will not work for most of us. Beware of dried spices that are made from peppers also. Avocado is a go to food for me. I use it like i would cheese. Cooked artichoke is something you might like to try. I eat rice or corn Chex cereal almost daily with almond milk. Sweet potato is another staple for me. I also buy already roasted beets ( canned would work also). I usually just put a little oil and vinegar, salt and pepper-yum. Sometimes I will combine chunks of beets with avocado with a little dressing as a cold "salad". Asparagus , I think works well for most of us. I also eat canned peaches and pears and apple sauce for some sweetness. I just tried fresh mangos and it seems to be fine for me. Peanut butter and sunflower seed butter also is good for me. I usually spread it on rice cakes, but i have been known to eat it right off the spoon :) Just try not to add too much too soon.

Good luck

Leah
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Post by tnelson »

This is really good to hear. I love avocados and coconut, so I hope those are safe. They are also high calorie. I hadn’t thought of artichokes.

Enterolabs says no rice or corn (violent reaction). Chicken, tuna, and pork are also off the list. I did the MRT, but unfortunately it seems very inaccurate in my case. Who knows why? So now I’m turning to the experts! 

Kari, you mention that you’ve been at this 2 years. If you see this post again, are you better than you were a year ago? Can you eat a wider variety of foods now?

Tex, your words of wisdom about rotation really make sense to me. The idea of having to rotate, in addition to the elimination diet (which turns one into a big Petri dish and involves toiling through endless reactions) while I try to work and take care of my family was giving me palpitations. Kari and Tex, hearing that you don’t worry about it and haven’t become sensitive to all your staples gives me a renewed sense of calm.

From your suggestions, it sounds like I should try next: coconut, banana, avocado, mango, papaya, artichoke, and beet. Those are safe(r) ones that I’m not eating already. I’ll take your advice, Leah, and go slowly.

Can I ask a followup question? Out of the list below, are there any foods that, in your experience, are especially dangerous or especially likely to be fine? If you feel like taking a moment to “vote” I would appreciate the guidance.

Thank you so much, everyone, for being there for me.

--T

Turkey
Lamb
Clams
Shrimp
Buffalo
Pumpkin
Cucumbers
Parsnips
Radishes
Romaine Lettuce
Spinach
Bok Choy
Green Beans
Rutabaga
Brussels Sprouts
Mushrooms
Olives
Blueberries
Apricot
Kiwi
Cherries
Figs
Turmeric
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Zizzle
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Post by Zizzle »

I eat all those foods with minimal trouble. Romaine lettuce, buk choy and brussel sprouts can sometimes cause trouble from the fiber and gas-forming qualities, so moderation is key. Blueberries sometimes bother me if I overdo it - I see the skins in the toilet. Kiwi perplexes me. I sometimes get a raw mouth and assume it may just be the acidity, but it could be oral allergy, and trouble. Not sure. I don't eat enough of it to find out.

Otherwise that's a safe list for me.
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Post by wonderwoman »

Zizzle says
I think many tolerate mango and papaya well too.
I read how so many here are enjoying mango and papaya.
Mango is a yellow for me so that's out and papaya has a very long green line so I haven't tried it yet.

I can eat strawberries, pears, bananas and applesauce.
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Post by Kari »

Hi T,

To try and answer your questions, my progress with healing has not been linear, but rather filled with ups and downs. In addition to all my food sensitivities, I have been dealing with candida, histamine intolerance, being hypothyroid, and now "the latest one", elevated blood sugar. Learning to cook for myself (a brand new endeavor) has also presented a huge challenge, and the fact that I'm very "squeamish" about eating meat has been another "obstacle".

All that said, my GI symptoms are a lot better than they were before starting down this "healing with diet" road on July 16, 2010, so I have great confidence in this process. I had my diagnosis of MC and lived with D. for 10 years before discovering the "food connection", so I suspect a lot of damage had accumulated; but with time, diligence and lots of patience, I believe a lot of it can be repaired.

At this point in time, eating out is probably my biggest enemy - I have very little faith in restaurants managing to keep cross contamination at bay. I recently came back from a road trip, and did not feel well towards the end of the trip, so now I'm working on "recovering" again. I suspect that living with MC, and the food sensitivities caused by it, is a life long endeavor, and we each have to develop our personalized "survival kit" to get across the many hurdles that seem to come along.

As for your listed foods, they look fairly MC friendly to me, but I agree with Zizzle about some of them causing gas trouble. This post is becoming a bit of a "stream of consciousness", so continuing down that road, it seems that I've been staying away from introducing new foods into my diet due to always feeling a bit "panicked" and not "quite ready" :grin: . Now I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing??? Oh well, to ease my mind, I think I'll go for a nice nature walk :).

Love,
Kari
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Post by Leah »

Hi T. I'm not at the stage where I have tested many fruits, so I can't answer that one. No lettuce for me either at this point, but I think you are better off with baby salad greens over Romaine. I can eat almost all cooked veggies- even brussel sprouts if they are roasted really well (halved, tossed in olive oil, salt and pepper, roasted at 400 degrees for 25-30 min.).

Leah
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Post by draperygoddess »

I seem to do better with veggies than fruits, so I try to do small doses! Berries are usually fine if I don't eat too much. Some of us have problems with salad greens of any sort while we're reacting--too much roughage, I guess. Same thing with figs--I still watch how much fiber I eat, because even if it doesn't cause D it wil make me gassy and uncomfortable. Too much anything, I guess, is a problem, but I'm right where you are in my quest to eat SOMETHING I haven't had at least four times already this week!
Cynthia

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Post by brandy »

Hi T,

I read your concerns about rotation and thought I would post. Early on I found the "few foods regimen" very helpful. I got to softserve in 8 weeks eating chicken, rice and overcooked veggie for breakfast, lunch dinner and snack for 8 weeks. I eliminated all supplements (not recommended for long term) and I was taking no prescription meds and I did meditative yoga 3-4 times per week. The few foods regimen took my WD from 10-12 x per day down to 1-2 manageable times per day in like several days. I had soft serve for about 6 weeks and kind of caved to going onto Entocort at this point. I was just kind of wiped out. Then I moved onto what I would call the narrow foods regimen for about 4-5 months. The few foods regimen and then the narrow foods regimen really was helpful and took a lot of stress out of eating. I don't think I would recommend it for years on end but overall it was more positive then negative and if nothing else simplified the cooking.

Turkey
Lamb
Clams
Shrimp
Buffalo
Pumpkin
Cucumbers--hold off until you are pretty far into healing and test peeled ones first
Parsnips
Radishes--I have 3 in my fridge. I have not tried them raw. I have diced them fine like garlic and cooked them with my sauted greens. Had some gurgling.
Romaine Lettuce --hold off until you are pretty far into healing and then eat the edges first. Cut the center ribs out.
Spinach--cooked--very good for us, also recommend all the other greens cooked--chard, turnip, mustard, collards, etc, raw wait until you are better healed and then destem.
Bok Choy--yum, can cause some gas
Green Beans
Rutabaga--I've made these roasted, peel, cut in 1" cubes, put in ziplock w/ EVOO add some tumeric and salt and pepper, shake, foil on cookie sheet, spray foil w/ soy free non stick, roast 450 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, I try to get them almost burnt so they are more like french fries, I've also made mashed rutabagas and potatoes. If you add a potato to your mashed rutabaga the whole thing tastes like mashed potatoes. You can also roast turnips and do mashed turnips and potatoes.
Brussels Sprouts--Leah's recipe looks good, I'm going to try. I've eaten these, can cause a little gas.
Mushrooms--I thought these were something like corn that we should avoid but I'm not really sure, would like someone's feedback on mushrooms, also.
Olives
Blueberries--Tex has posted some scientific studies that blueberries, huckleberries and apples are supposed to have gut benefits.
Apricot
Kiwi
Cherries
Figs
Turmeric--I sprinkle generously on any white fish that I bake in oven. Drizzle w/ EVOO and sprinkle on turmeric. I also put turmeric on roasted turnips and rutabags.

Early on I did better eating cooked fruits. Peel apple, slice, put in micro w/ a little water and sprinkle w/ cinnamon. You can also do this w/ nectarines etc.

I'm with Zizzle right now I can probably eat everything on your list but I've been working at this for 13 months. Foods that come in packages are still kind of problematic and overall I seem to do better eating less grains. I'm forcing myself to eat protein 3 times per day. All of your proteins look good btw and I had gulf shrimp for breakfast, lunch and dinner yesterday. Yum.

Best wishes, Brandy
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Post by Deanna in CO »

Hi T,

Your list looks pretty good. I have a friend with "IBS" who is sensitive to olives, and I think I react to them as well. Also you have to remember most of us can't tolerate raw fruits and veggies while we are healing - so things like radishes and lettuce should probably be added later. I notice many who do eat romaine lettuce take the ribs out.

Do you not like squash? Because it has been a nice change for me from the blandness of much of the diet. I eat it with coconut oil or Earth Balance's organic coconut spread (a new addition at our local Sprouts) - both of those are also very good with sweet potatoes.

I have noticed too that russet potatoes have a different flavor then red and white ones, and Tex says they have a different kind of starch. So you might try the different kinds of potatoes if you are looking for some variety, especially since you have trouble with corn and rice right now.

Very few people react to turkey or lamb. I never ate clams outside of chowder which is obviously out, but I do well with shrimp. Buffalo is usually OK, especially if we can eat beef as you can. Pumpkin is in the squash family and should be fine. The rest I don't know except I react very badly to spinach, raw, cooked fresh, or frozen - but I don't know anyone else here who does so that one may be just me.

You have nice list to try there. I hope you find a bunch of things that work for you!

Deanna
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