[January]

As most of you know, I have irritable bowel syndrome as well as ulcerative colitis. I am unable to eat fruits or vegetables except for white potatoes, carrots and a tiny bit of onion for flavor. I am also able to have lactose free low fat milk and Cheerios. I can manage bread as long as it's white. I can't eat oatmeal or any whole grains at all.

I basically live on carbohydrates.

I've always had low blood pressure, low cholesterol and a normal heart beat. I've also always been under weight. Now, thanks to Hashimoto's Disease, I'm over weight.

I've been trying to get the extra weight off me, but so far, no luck. That was bad enough, then I recieved some very frightening news from my Dr.

My diastolic blood pressure, my cholesterol, my triglycerides and my heart beat are so high that I am at imminent heart attack/stroke level. I didn't believe it, in fact I just couldn't believe it and I made them do another fasting blood test. The results were just as damning.

I get a buzzing in my head and just fall over from a standing position. That's not too good.

I know the rules for healthy eating, but I can't digest fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It sets the colitis off for days and I end up curled into a little ball.

I am living on two Ensure a day and a snack, but I can't afford the Ensure, so I'm going to quit buying it. It's ok, because even the high protein ones have too many carbs.

A friend of mine suggested baby food. It's awfully expensive, but I guess I could try a little bit of it.

Do any of you have any ideas? I am to avoid stress at all costs. Trying to figure out what I have to eat is stressing me far too much.

Does any one know off hand what the minimum amount of protein one needs is to keep from muscle waste when dieting?

I am now on blood pressure medication and two kinds of cholesterol meds.

Thank you so much for reading this, even if you don't have any suggestions.

Jan

[bebop]

oh Jan hon I am sorry. I can do the low carb thing but it is so so hard! does your dr give you any advise on what you can eat?

[katheryn]

(((((((((((((((((january))))))))))))))))

im so sorry you are going through this, maybe a vist to the nurse to ask for advice on what sort of food to eat

[Cthomas]

Jan, did you ever try protein shakes? they have them in vitamin shoppe. its called 100 percent whey protein. tastes like ensure, add water, to a scoop and its the protein you need in a serving.

Also its a 6lb tub which lasts for ever.

Let me know if i can help.

Colleen

[EJ711]

Hi Jan,

The glycemic index is based on low-carbs. I can't give you a specific website. I also happened on the Mayo Clinic website the other day. Maybe you can find something there.

(((((((Jan)))))))

EJ

[(JD)]

The problem with trying to go by the glycemic index is that each food still has to be computed regarding it's affect on the body!

Pick up a book (Holford Diet) or something similar that gives you the GLYCEMIC LOADING of each food. This already has the computations done, and shows the carbs (especially) as they really are.

I just can't be bothering with all that math when I'm HUNGRY! (It's easy for EJ, as she's an economics master!)

[EJ711]

Colleen,

The protein shakes sound yummy!

Sky,

The Holford Diet sounds great!!

EJ

[wisewoman]

Jan, there is so much info online. I second the whey protein shakes. However, add one teaspoon barley grass and one teaspoon alfalfa grass powder to each shake with 6-8 ounces of water. Also if you can tolerate carrot juice it is very helpful. I have a juicer to make it. Take 3-4 shakes per day and add carrot juice as tolerable. Also buy alpha lipoic acid with d biotin. take 300 mg 2x daily to balance sugars and cholesterol. Cherry capsules help to de-acidify the body. All of this you can find at health food store or vitamin and herb shop. Eat protein as well. eggs, no matter what you have heard about eggs and cholesterol, fatty fish, and yogurt, unsweetened. Take at least 3000 mg of fish oil daily. Try the small fish ones, or krill. small fish usually get eaten by big ones and have low content of mercury. Krill are the tiny fish and sea life some whales eat though little filters.

You will find this info very helpful and should complete your own research. Good luck.

[January]

((((((((( Dear Hearts ))))))))))

Thank you each so much. I have made an appt. with my Dr. tomorrow and am going to copy down your good suggestions and take them with me.

Kimmy suggested that I should be tested for Celiac Disease. That makes a world of sense because I haven't been able to eat whole grains since I was very young.

Thank you all for your suggestions and for caring enough to try to help me. It means so much to me.

Love and hugs,

Jan

[PasDeDeux]

My daughter is diabetic thus she eats a diet close to what you may be looking for. Stress meats and fish. If you can have peanuts try peanut butter. Whey can cause issues for some. I would try to eat a diet that is the same for a few weeks then start adding foods slowly one at a time to see if you can tolerate it that makes it easier to know what to omit. Kimmy had good advice too. Gluten is a huge issue for many. Good luck

[silver_queen]

((((((((((((( Jan )))))))))))))))

I didn't realise things were so bad for you

I hope your visit to the dr tomorrow will give you some answers.

I did atkins for a while which was 20 carbs a day.

For breakfast, I'd have a protein shake that is low carb (maybe 2grams) Advantedge makes one they sell at grocery stores. or a egg white and turkey bacon burrito with low carb torilla (they make some with as low as 3 carbs)

Lunch - Maybe a chicken lettuce, wrap or something like that. You can have cottage cheese, (lots of cheese).

Eat lots of snacks - I bought string cheese, shakes, lunchmeat,

Dinner - Fish, fresh veggies steamed or maybe a chicken with cheese on top.

Go to www.atkins.com I think thats the site for atkins food planning. They have LOTS of recipes to keep you under 20 carbs a day..

[January]

((((((((((( Friends )))))))))))

Thank you all so very much.

My Dr. says for me to stick to a gluten free diet while she runs tests. I have wonderful news! My blood pressure and heart rate are just fine now! I also have not had a migraine for a little while. It's because the topral is used for migraines, too.

She asked me to drink Glucerna and try to eat protein like white chicken. I have probs swallowing meat of any kind so she said it was ok to put a littl low fat mayo or some bbq sauce on it. I am going to the health food place tomorrow and see if I can find some gluten free cereal.

She also told me that the reason I am not losing lots of weight is that I am not eating enough! I about fell out of the chair. She says anyone as tall as I am must have 1,500 calories a day to lose weight. I was ingesting 1,000 to 1,200/day and she said my metabolism shut down.

Maybe this is the opening chapter of a way to get a lot healthier!

Hugs to all!

Jan

such good...good.. good... news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[January]

I went to the health food store today. The food is very expensive, but the gluton free foods are much, much more filling. It's more dense than wheat/gluton bread and cereal. A small portion really filled me up and I'm just now needing a bite of something to tide me over so I can take my meds.

[EJ711]

Hi Jan,

That's interesting about the gluten-free products are more dense and fill you up more.

EJ

[Perna]

Really good online cooking magazine:

http://www.glutenfreeda.com/

[Monty_girl]

Hey Jan, have you met with a nutritionist? Studying nutrition has been the greatest thing I've ever done. My IBS is almost non-existent now. My BP is so much better and I've decreased my med now. During my BP crisis in May when I was rushed to the ER by BP was164/129. Now it's 106/73 and my pulse rate has drop to the lowest it's ever been ( a healthy range now ) It's all from getting with a nutritionist and learning what to eat.

I eat very little to no processed foods. Frozen veggies, lots of fish and chicken. I had to learn this is how many carbs I need, protein, fats and sugars for each day. It's taken me awhile to get the hang of everything. But I feel so much better, have lots more energy, depression is almost gone, lower BP and I've lost 40lbs.

http://www.nutrition.gov

I would say you really need to see a nutritionist, but this is a good website I use a lot. Good Luck.