I just got my enterolab results back and am pretty stunned by the results. I had 2-3+ reactions to wheat, corn, rice, oats, milk, eggs, soy, beef, chicken, pork, tuna, almonds, walnuts, cashews and white potato. I posted this in another section and Tex is the only one who answered, suggesting that I try a list of other meats, but I have many questions and hope that some of you experienced people will have some suggestions also.
How can I possibly get adequate nutrition with these restrictions?
Does this mean that other grains like millet, quinoa (I know it's a seed), GF flour are are ok or not?
If tuna is reactive, does that mean that salmon is ok or not?
I can avoid meat but how do I get protein without nuts, seeds, legumes, eggs?
This is my initial reaction but it looks like all I can eat is vegetables excluding night shades
Do all of you trust enterolabs?
Are these things I will have to avoid the rest of my life?
I am feeling pretty confused and stunned and would appreciate all the info and support I can get. I should probably see a dietician but do they generally know anything about enterolab testing and accept it? Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. Suzanne
I NEED SOME HELP PLEASE
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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Joefnh
- Rockhopper Penguin
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Hi Suzanne, I will try to answer what I can of your questions.
As far as nutrition, there are plenty of other foods available, most likely ones that you normally have not included in your diet. At this point I would consult with a dietician, preferably one who is familiar with MC and the MRT testing. On the MRT website use the contact information and check with them for a nutritionist in your area that can help or even one you can correspond with to help setup up a dietary plan. Keep in mind that depending on the sensitivity level of your reaction, that in time (many months) after healing has taken place that you may be able to add back foods that you were mildly reactive to.
Contact info:
http://nowleap.com/contact-us/
From what I can tell quinoa and GF flour should be fine. There are several good brands of GF flour available including King Arthur and Bobs Red Mill among others. There are some great recipes available that use the GF flours
Check out a section on this website called Dee's Kitchen:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=7
I believe tuna and salmon are unique enough that salmon should be fine. As a rule though only introduce one new food at a time, slowly, so you can judge if you react to it. Just because it did not show up on the MRT tests does not guarantee you won't have some reaction to it. Go slowly and keep a simple notebook, that will be a very good guide in building up a list of tolerated foods.
As far as meats, lamb has worked well for many with sensitivities here, including myself.
Here are some sites that talks about vegetarian proteins, these are not "MC" sensitive sites and do mention eggs and milk, but also talk about the vegetable based proteins that you can eat but it does talk about sources of protein found in vegetables:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/t ... d=19896734
http://greatist.com/health/complete-vegetarian-proteins
Vegetable proteins work quite well, these can be found in many of the beans (lima, chickpeas, peas, kidney beans etc..) From the sounds of it though you most likely will be able to eat some varieties of seafood and possibly lamb as well.
Enterolabs seems to have worked well for many here and is a well regarded lab. I used the MRT method and also kept a notebook and worked slowly to build up my list of safe and tolerated foods.
As a rule remember to go slowly starting with known safe foods and keep a notebook adding one new food at a time slowly into your diet. In the end, the MRT and Enterolab testing is a good initial guide, over time though your body will let you know what foods it can handle.
Best of wishes
As far as nutrition, there are plenty of other foods available, most likely ones that you normally have not included in your diet. At this point I would consult with a dietician, preferably one who is familiar with MC and the MRT testing. On the MRT website use the contact information and check with them for a nutritionist in your area that can help or even one you can correspond with to help setup up a dietary plan. Keep in mind that depending on the sensitivity level of your reaction, that in time (many months) after healing has taken place that you may be able to add back foods that you were mildly reactive to.
Contact info:
http://nowleap.com/contact-us/
From what I can tell quinoa and GF flour should be fine. There are several good brands of GF flour available including King Arthur and Bobs Red Mill among others. There are some great recipes available that use the GF flours
Check out a section on this website called Dee's Kitchen:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=7
I believe tuna and salmon are unique enough that salmon should be fine. As a rule though only introduce one new food at a time, slowly, so you can judge if you react to it. Just because it did not show up on the MRT tests does not guarantee you won't have some reaction to it. Go slowly and keep a simple notebook, that will be a very good guide in building up a list of tolerated foods.
As far as meats, lamb has worked well for many with sensitivities here, including myself.
Here are some sites that talks about vegetarian proteins, these are not "MC" sensitive sites and do mention eggs and milk, but also talk about the vegetable based proteins that you can eat but it does talk about sources of protein found in vegetables:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/t ... d=19896734
http://greatist.com/health/complete-vegetarian-proteins
Vegetable proteins work quite well, these can be found in many of the beans (lima, chickpeas, peas, kidney beans etc..) From the sounds of it though you most likely will be able to eat some varieties of seafood and possibly lamb as well.
Enterolabs seems to have worked well for many here and is a well regarded lab. I used the MRT method and also kept a notebook and worked slowly to build up my list of safe and tolerated foods.
As a rule remember to go slowly starting with known safe foods and keep a notebook adding one new food at a time slowly into your diet. In the end, the MRT and Enterolab testing is a good initial guide, over time though your body will let you know what foods it can handle.
Best of wishes
Joe
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Suzanne,
For meat you can try venison, lamb and turkey. Also you can try a white fish like cod. It is not necessary to eat any grains. I don't although some people seem to have a hard time keeping on weight without grains. That's not my problem. My results are pretty similar to yours although I can eat pork (+1 and almonds +1). I use a lot of coconut oil and make my own coconut milk with shredded coconut and water. Adding vanilla extract (I make my own. It's easy) and ground cinnamon makes a nice smoothy. Vegetables like squashes, sweet potatoes and carrots well cooked are usually tolerated as well. Well cooked greens are a possibility too. This really is doable. You are not alone in the extent of the restrictions. I trust Enterolab test results. It made all the difference for me and I continue to stick to them now, over 2 years later. I find that working on my attitude helps a lot, telling myself how lucky I am to have found a solution rather than how awful it is to be so deprived. The Enterolab results are really a gift that can give you back your health even though it might not feel like that right now. I doubt whether a dietician will be of much help. I have found all the help I have needed here.
Jean
For meat you can try venison, lamb and turkey. Also you can try a white fish like cod. It is not necessary to eat any grains. I don't although some people seem to have a hard time keeping on weight without grains. That's not my problem. My results are pretty similar to yours although I can eat pork (+1 and almonds +1). I use a lot of coconut oil and make my own coconut milk with shredded coconut and water. Adding vanilla extract (I make my own. It's easy) and ground cinnamon makes a nice smoothy. Vegetables like squashes, sweet potatoes and carrots well cooked are usually tolerated as well. Well cooked greens are a possibility too. This really is doable. You are not alone in the extent of the restrictions. I trust Enterolab test results. It made all the difference for me and I continue to stick to them now, over 2 years later. I find that working on my attitude helps a lot, telling myself how lucky I am to have found a solution rather than how awful it is to be so deprived. The Enterolab results are really a gift that can give you back your health even though it might not feel like that right now. I doubt whether a dietician will be of much help. I have found all the help I have needed here.
Jean
Thank you, Joe--I will look up the site you sent and appreciate your posting them. Jean, I agree that attitude is crucial and as soon as I get over the initial shock (I have always been very healthy and had no 'sensitivities' that I was aware of), that will be the one thing over which I have control. Thank you both. Suzanne
Suzanne,
I know this all seems overwhelming, I think we all felt that way at one point. Identify a few foods that you CAN eat safely, this boring same foods every day is the fastest way to heal. When it is under control then you can add foods back one at a time.
After a while I was feeling so much better and had relief from other issues I didn't realize were related to diet...now I am glad I was diagnosed and did the enterolab. I feel better than I have in years.
Hang in there and know we are all here for your support system.
I know this all seems overwhelming, I think we all felt that way at one point. Identify a few foods that you CAN eat safely, this boring same foods every day is the fastest way to heal. When it is under control then you can add foods back one at a time.
After a while I was feeling so much better and had relief from other issues I didn't realize were related to diet...now I am glad I was diagnosed and did the enterolab. I feel better than I have in years.
Hang in there and know we are all here for your support system.
Theresa
MC and UC 2014
in remission since June 1, 2014
We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. ~Jim Rohn
MC and UC 2014
in remission since June 1, 2014
We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. ~Jim Rohn
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Suzanne
it is tough when you have to make big changes.
Food wise, i have been eating the same 5-6 vegetables for 4.7 years. Over time your tastebuds and brain adjust, especially when good healing happens and you get energy, focus and wellness back!
Present day, there are many remote tribes /communities, in third world countries that have lived off a small base of staples for thousands of years.
2-4 vegetables, 2-3 fruits, 2-3 forms of protein. of note, none of these people have IBD's, autoimmune issues, heart disease or diabetes
100 years ago my ancestors lived off the seasonal veges they grew, the seasonal fruit they grew, the protein they raised on the farm. the only things they purchased was flour, sugar, tea.
take the change/transition gradually. Start with changing one meal a day, then a few days later change another, and gradually figure out an eating plan that works for you. Once you source and figure out how to cook the revised proteins, it will get alot easier
I am ok with Rice, and I use a Rice Protein powder. This has been great for working lunches at work or days when I am out for the whole day.
remind yourself it is not about perfection, it is about progress. make the changes one day at a time. Be prepared for a few hiccups along the way.
it is tough when you have to make big changes.
Food wise, i have been eating the same 5-6 vegetables for 4.7 years. Over time your tastebuds and brain adjust, especially when good healing happens and you get energy, focus and wellness back!
Present day, there are many remote tribes /communities, in third world countries that have lived off a small base of staples for thousands of years.
2-4 vegetables, 2-3 fruits, 2-3 forms of protein. of note, none of these people have IBD's, autoimmune issues, heart disease or diabetes
100 years ago my ancestors lived off the seasonal veges they grew, the seasonal fruit they grew, the protein they raised on the farm. the only things they purchased was flour, sugar, tea.
take the change/transition gradually. Start with changing one meal a day, then a few days later change another, and gradually figure out an eating plan that works for you. Once you source and figure out how to cook the revised proteins, it will get alot easier
I am ok with Rice, and I use a Rice Protein powder. This has been great for working lunches at work or days when I am out for the whole day.
there is no black or white answer to this. 'it depends' The MC journey is different for each of us. Some have found food items that were their staples over time become a bit inflammatory and they can only have them occaisionaly, others after good healing has occurred, have introduced some of what was a bad item, back in with no issues.Are these things I will have to avoid the rest of my life?
remind yourself it is not about perfection, it is about progress. make the changes one day at a time. Be prepared for a few hiccups along the way.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
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UkuleleLady
- Gentoo Penguin
- Posts: 383
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:45 pm
- Location: Texas
Hi Suzanne,
I feel for you, my results are similar to yours. I felt like I was allergic to everything. I am certain that if there were more enterolab tests, I would probably be just as allergic to various other common foods.
Your situation is compounded by being unable to eat rice, oats, egg etc which makes being gluten and dairy free REALLY difficult.
I will be honest and tell you that I still eat beef and pork and corn chips from time to time. I never eat tuna or chicken, which I had +3 reactions to. I eat a lot of turkey, lamb, shrimp, salmon, cod, shellfish, and supplement with beef and pork from time to time so I am not incredibly high maintenance when I travel.
In the beginning I focused on turkey and lamb, and didn't get sick of it for a while. I switched to sunflower seed butter, macadamia nuts, pistachios, brazil nuts instead of almonds, walnuts, peanut and cashew. But to be honest I try not to eat a ton of nuts because they have a lot of fiber.
Coconut milk and coconut products were a lifesaver for me in that they are calorically dense and helped me gain weight. I also ate a lot of well cooked greens, squash and sweet potato.
I was on entocort for almost 6 months, weaned off and went on an antidepressant for a while. Today I am med free and lead a pretty normal life. I can eat fruit and some raw veg again if I don't overdo it.
Really limit your foods for now, focus on the lamb and turkey and try to quell the inflammation before trying lots of vegetables and other meats.
Sincerely,
Nancy
I feel for you, my results are similar to yours. I felt like I was allergic to everything. I am certain that if there were more enterolab tests, I would probably be just as allergic to various other common foods.
Your situation is compounded by being unable to eat rice, oats, egg etc which makes being gluten and dairy free REALLY difficult.
I will be honest and tell you that I still eat beef and pork and corn chips from time to time. I never eat tuna or chicken, which I had +3 reactions to. I eat a lot of turkey, lamb, shrimp, salmon, cod, shellfish, and supplement with beef and pork from time to time so I am not incredibly high maintenance when I travel.
In the beginning I focused on turkey and lamb, and didn't get sick of it for a while. I switched to sunflower seed butter, macadamia nuts, pistachios, brazil nuts instead of almonds, walnuts, peanut and cashew. But to be honest I try not to eat a ton of nuts because they have a lot of fiber.
Coconut milk and coconut products were a lifesaver for me in that they are calorically dense and helped me gain weight. I also ate a lot of well cooked greens, squash and sweet potato.
I was on entocort for almost 6 months, weaned off and went on an antidepressant for a while. Today I am med free and lead a pretty normal life. I can eat fruit and some raw veg again if I don't overdo it.
Really limit your foods for now, focus on the lamb and turkey and try to quell the inflammation before trying lots of vegetables and other meats.
Sincerely,
Nancy
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~The Dalai Lama
Hi Suzanne,
Yes the enterolab tests helped me. They gave me a structure on what to eat so I could move forward in healing.
The whole protein category is for me safer than grains so I eat pretty much 90% paleo with a small amount of potato, rice and rice pasta.
I've eaten salmon throughout the whole process.
Brandy
Yes the enterolab tests helped me. They gave me a structure on what to eat so I could move forward in healing.
I'm not sure if it is a good thing or not but I'm able to eat my #2's and #3's in the protein category. PLEASE NOTE I'M VERY FAR ALONG IN REMISSION. Some of my physical reactions to grains like corn (which was a #2) and quinoa which was not tested were so severe pre my enterolab testing that I'm still frightened to test corn and quinoa.Are these things I will have to avoid the rest of my life?
The whole protein category is for me safer than grains so I eat pretty much 90% paleo with a small amount of potato, rice and rice pasta.
If tuna is reactive, does that mean that salmon is ok or not?
I've eaten salmon throughout the whole process.
I agree with what Gabes said.How can I possibly get adequate nutrition with these restrictions?
For centuries mankind has thrived on narrow diets due to the seasonality of the growing foods. Before I found this forum and before my MC diagnosis I had significant improvement on chicken, rice and overcooked veggie. That is all I ate for like 12 weeks. It was kind of random that it was GF.100 years ago my ancestors lived off the seasonal veges they grew, the seasonal fruit they grew, the protein they raised on the farm.
Brandy