Hopeless case! Back to basics.
#5082 - 04/04/03 12:34 AM
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susaloh
Reged: 02/02/03
Posts: 96
Loc: Kiel, Germany
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No 175 recipes for me!!!
Hi,
Yesterday I cried my eyes out because my bloating had worked itself up to a proper IBS attack (you were right, Han Solo) and I realised I had to cut everything out once more - not only the foods I had tried to introduce so very cautiously (remember, the two teaspoons of oatmeal, the small potato and a few sips of soymilk) but basically EVERYTHING in order to stabilize. For now I cut down the fat by half (a quarter of a teaspoon of sour cream per meal), just a quarter of an apple and a teaspoon of fish at lunch and dinner (because I have to get worse to swallow down just plain rice. Just the thought makes me gag. Too many bad memories). Anyway, I think I can see a very small improvement today.
Gosh, I was so depressed. How can I be so unstable after 8 months on this rice diet??? I hadn't had a 'proper IBS attack triggered by food for 3 months (I did have my 'hormonal' IBS but that's different). I introduced the new foods 'by the book', even more gently, and still, over the past three weeks, I slowly got unstable. Though at first I thought I might be able just to live with the bloating, but then it got out of hand and the pain, and gurgling and loose stools are back in full strength.
I've followed Heather's guidelines to the book since November which wasn't difficult because I had already found out half of them on my own, and it is the only way to keep my IBS in check. But the truth seems to be that my personal equilibrium diet does not allow for anything other than rice, fish and chicken breast in a certain, low ratio, stewed carrot and apple, a certain amount of fat (not my biggest problem) and sweets made of simple sugars (which I need to hold my weight). And of course rice cakes with tiny amounts of margerine, honey or chocolate spread. Of course I need to strictly eat the same amounts at the same time of day every day. When very stable I can also have a slice of gluten free bread (after the rice of course) or a tinned apricot once in a while. That's it. Anything else will rock the boat and eventually, after a while, make me ill.
I was so distressed yesterday because it is so tiresome and so complicated to try and live a normal life in these circumstances. Whereever I go I need to drag along a bag full or rice cakes or even cooked meals in tupperware plus my fibre supplements and medications, and what's worse, at any social event even a coffee morning I can't touch any of the food or drinks on offer, never. If I could at least eat some biscuits or bread. Or potatoes. That would open up a whole range of possibilities for me. I'm having to explain my condition to everybody, and everybody is so understanding, but it's in the long run that they are finding it so weird and unnormal that there is no IMPROVEMENT! All these suggestions, and that I should see another doctor, etc. People get really worked up about my fate which is sweet but I could do without it.
So, today I've resolved rather to be grateful for what I've got: I know I can live more or less symptom free on above diet (as long as my hormones stay under control), I can go everywhere with my family, do sports (job's difficult with all the restrictions) and have friends. That's not bad, is it? Food shouldn't be so important, and there are millions of people who eat rice every day all their lives!
Thanks for bearing with me.
Susaloh
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You mentioned cutting down on sour cream...I would cut it out completely. I have found since I have cut out all dairy (even if it wasn't a huge trigger) and all red meat and all my fruit is pureed, I feel alot better.
You may need to cut everything out like Heather outlines. Even if you don't think it's a huge trigger - you'd be surprised how much a little bit of something will affect you.
I have been on the diet for about 4 months now and I haven't tried to incorporate anything back into my diet that I shouldn't. I have just made myself get used to the fact that I can have the dairy in soy form.
I have almost tricked myself into believing that it's the same thing. Honestly - I can't really remember what "real" cheese or anything tastes like anymore.
Lana_Marie
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Lana_Marie
Proud Mommy to Bentley Taylor
Born May 12, 2004 9lbs, 3oz
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Dear Lana-Marie,
Thanks for replying to my post, I'm a little bit ashamed because I was indulging in self-pity when I wrote it!
Well, I would be glad if I could incorporate a few things into my diet that I should! (Soy does not work for me as I found out now nor do oats or potatoes).
But you might be right - the sour cream is the only thing I'm still eating which is on Heather's list of no-nos. Though I wonder how did I get better and symptom-free for weeks with this trigger if it really is a trigger for me? I must admit I'm clinging to the sour cream like my dear life because the problem is, I've got to put something into this rice to make it more edible. Only once I'd found the sour cream (and I only add a tiny amount plus some drops of lemon juice) I managed to increase my portions and put on some weight and regain my strength. Butter just didn't do the trick. And I need some fat in my diet. Perhaps I should ask around for advice what else I could do with my rice instead of the sour cream.
Maybe I should cook my two bites of fish with oil rather than water, maybe that would give the rice some taste?
Thanks anyway
Susaloh
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Susaloh: How about cooking your rice in vegetable or chicken broth? That should add some flavor and nutrition. I also love Jasmine rice, I mix it with some cooked vegetables and some roasted chicken for a nice, flavorful, safe meal. Jasmine rice I can actually eat plain it's so great tasting. From what I've understood here, you can have a trigger not be a trigger then as Emeril would say "BAM" it bothers you.
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Thanks Karin,
This sounds very good but do you mean homemade broth (I wouldn't really know what to do with the chicken afterwards  ) When I looked through the brands at the supermarket they all seemed to have either garlic or onion and/or glutamat (flavour enhancer)which I think is another IBS trigger.
A bit puzzled,
Susaloh
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Heck, I made some once and it's still in the freezer! I purchase in the cartons, not cans, at my local health food store. But I've seen them in our markets. They do though have garlic and onions (the vegetable carton I have on hand does anyway) but no MSG. I don't know about the chicken variety, maybe someone on here has a carton on hand to look at. I'm kind of in the same predicament, too many carbs and any soy bothers me. Seems as though I'm hungry all the time and searching for something to eat.
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Yeah, I know what you mean. When I cut out the fat I have to eat sugary sweets to keep my weight and my strength. I'd much rather eat something healthy. Can you eat potatoes?
I'll have to scour the health food shops here in Germany for broths. But I have a feeling they always come with onions or garlic.
best wishes
Susaloh
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No, potatoes I can't eat very well. Sometimes I can tolerate a little bit, but they give me such gas and bloating that I try and stay away from them. Same thing with bread, unfortunately. So I'm like you, rice is my staple. When my husband comes home and we're having roasted chicken, rice and a veggie, he knows I had a bad day.....lol.
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I understand that you are looking for something to add to rice to add more flavor or just some at all. If you have an opportunity to go back to some older posts and you will find one from TessLouise that gives 101 way (ok I am exagerating, but close to it) to flavor rice. I am not sure what the name of the thread is. Hope it helps!
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Hi - Here's TessLouise's post of ways to jazz up white rice - tons of great ideas here web page
Try drizzling a little flax oil on instead of the sour cream. And you can make homemade chicken or veggie broth without any bad ingredients. Just freeze extra amounts.
Also, look into the IBS hypnotherapy tapes. They have really helped people when nothing else did. Check the hypno board for info and ask any questions you have.
Best,
Heather
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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