Foods that work for me

[Spline Girl]

I posted on the Main Message Board but also wanted to share some of my food ideas and discoveries here.

Just two months ago I was desperately searching for information, because even Entocort did not seem to help any longer. I was fortunate to find this forum and it gave me hope. I always felt very bad fully relying on somebody or something else and having things completely out of my control. Finally, here was something I, myself, could do! Also, being a mathematician, I am a very logical person, - so I look for explanations, I look for correlations. Connections of MC, immune system response and diet made sense to me.

Few words about myself. I am 35 yo with diagnoses: lymphocitic colitis, pericarditis (had open heart surgery 14 weeks ago), tireoiditis (Hashimoto), ostheoarthritis, hypothyroidism, infertility (premature ovarian failure). I was diagnosed with LC in May 2012 after 7 month of explosive watery diarrhea (>8-12 times a day). Clearly, something was upsetting my immune system that triggered all these responses.

So two months ago, after reading information on this forum, I started the diet. I went gluten, dairy (no cheese, no yogurt, no butter), soy free and reduced the fiber (no salads, no fruits in the beginning). Ehhh... I love crunchy salads (my coworkers even tease me about it - that I eat bunny food) and cheese. But I felt so much better after the change (just a few days in the diet!!!) and my taste buds got used to new flavors - I did not miss it much. Things do get better.

After 3 weeks (I was also tapering off Entocort) I was able to introduce fresh juices (not much fiber left) - and it helped me tremendously, since I missed flavors of fruits and wanted to ensure proper intake of vitamins. I started conservative: one new fruit/veggie in a few days. And I diluted it with water. First I would put 1 portion of juice, and 2 portions of water. Now, I am off steroids and I put half juice/half water. I try to buy organic produce when I can and make juices myself - though I am ok with store bought orange juice. I bought a new juicer and now I everyday make (on rotational basis!) juices with: apples, carrots, beets, pineapple, greens, celery, melon, kiwi, oranges, limes, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, etc. I am also adding (1 mo into the diet) ginger and turmeric - they are supposed to be good for GI tract. My body took it well. Before I went off Nightshades, I drank V8 and my body was fine with it. I also occasionaly drink store bought OJ (diluted).

I make simple smoothies: almond milk, peanut butter, bananas, and protein (Vega brand from Whole Foods are plant based). Sufficient protein intake is very important for healing.

When possible I also try to not have the same food two days in a row - I rotate to avoid my body developing new intolerances.

Avoid alcohol. Avoid any artificial colorings and spice mixes. I also avoid processed meats (sausages in particular).

I cook on coconut or olive oil only. No butter.

My current breakfast menu choices: certified gluten free oatmeal with homemade preserves (my cholesterol went up recently so I am trying to work with that), rice with preserves or honey, gluten-free cereal (I like Honey Nut Chex) with almond milk, buckwheat (super nutritious) with almond milk, omelet (if you can eat eggs) with cauliflower, ham, and mushrooms, peanut butter sandwich (Udi's bread from TJ is very good) or sandwich with slices of turkey or ham.

Snacks could be smoothie, diluted juice, fruit bar (I found TJ GF fruit bars that my body takes well), banana, avocado (I take it well). Baked apples or pears (cut in halves, add a bit of honey, and bake for 30-40 minutes) or - if no time - just apple sauce. No nuts for me other than in the “creamy” butter form. I also avoid Nightshades, so for me the choice of the chips has been "Food should taste good" Sweet potato chips from Publix. Be careful and read the lables – some veggie chips contain soy (go figure…)!

Lunch/dinner: there are so many simple stews and soups to make! combine it with rice/quinoa/buckwheat. I also steam or grill asparagus (tolerate very well), and sometimes other veggies (but avoid soy beans, peas, corn etc.). I sautee kale, spinach and other greens with olive oil and garlic. It does not have to be all "mushy". For instance, put asparagus with olive oil and garlic and roast it. Do the same with sweet potatoes, mushroom, zucchini etc.

I used to eat mashed potatoes (now instead of potatoes I substitute cauliflower) - with a splash of almond milk. I would sautee cabbage, sourkrout, carrots and potatoes (yum!). Before I went off Nightshades, I would also make stuffed peppers (oh, so good and flavorful! stuff with rice, turkey meat, carrots, and tomato sauce) or sautee eggplant with carrots and tomatoes (classic in our home). If you tolerate eggs - you can stuff eggs with mixture of mushrooms, eggs, rice etc. Before I eliminated Nightshades I would make a lot of tomato sauces to go on my rice or fish - now I just make onion/mushrooms sauce and it is very tasty.

I love good homemade chicken soup and good Ukrainian borsch (I am Ukrainian ). When I have time I make soup with meatballs. Mushroom soup.

My most recent addition is “Banana green curry”, recipe courtesy creation of my turkish friend. Mash bananas and fry a bit in coconut oil. Add green curry. Roasted cashews (it gets cooked, so my body was fine with it). Sautee some veggies and meet mix (I usually put grill leftovers: some steak, some brussel sprouts, really could be anything: chicken, oinions, peppers, potatoes, zuccinni, mushrooms etc.) Combine mashed bananas and this mix, add coconut milk or cream, - and sautee all together. Put on rice. SO. MUCH. FLAVOR!

What did not work well for me was the bone broth. My cholesterol went over the roof. Though possibly not only because of broth but because I was eating a lot of meat and eggs in general – chasing to meet my protein intake. I stopped the broth, and went back to the lighter chicken soup and borsch.

I am on a liquid diet now (after jaw surrey) - that is when I get to eat "mushy". But "mushy" does not mean "tasteless". I made chicken soup, took out carrots, celery root and chicken meat - put in Vitamix to puree - very flavorful!

There are GF flour and crumbs (I get them in Publix) - so I make delicious schnitzels and juicy (with onion) chicken kotlets. Turkey meatballs with rice pasta (I get it in Publix). Slow roasted pork with onion and garilc (Heaven!). Chicken livers with buckwheat (one of my favorites). I roast chicken at home (so I can be sure in its quality) – very easy!

All these recipes, by the way, are very simple and fast - I can't afford to spend too much time in the kitchen :)

When I crave sweets – I eat homemade jams and peanut butter deserts, I fry bananas in coconut oil (coated in sugar and cinnamon crust), and sometimes eat store (Publix)-bought chocolate cookies (“Enjoy life” brand) or delicious raw vegan truffles from Whole Foods (super expansive at $4 for 3 tiny candies, so it is not a frequent treat). I buy coconut milk ice-cream. I make homemade preserves.

I take multivitamins. I also buy local bee pollen - for protein and micro elements. Those vitamin levels that I checked - all were fine.

As I said in my other post. My diet did not become dull. It just took some adjustment. Yes, in the beginning it might be more restrictive - while inflammation calms down and you learn to listen to you body and read the labels in the store it is a good idea to start conservative, but it does get better and you can bring some of your favorite flavors back in the diet quite soon.