What to eat with a stricture?

  Ok, I just recovered from a very painful bowel obstruction a few weeks ago. I was finally feeling better and had my mother visiting for a couple of days (from out of town). Saturday night we went to Applebees and I had Asiago chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed veges. First of all, I took a lactaid pill before touching the chicken as I am lactose intolerant. I only ate half of the chicken and mashed potatoes. I took 2 beano pills before eating only 2 broccoli spears and one slice of steamed squash. That night, my tummy bloated so bad I looked like I was 6 months pregnant. I was full of gas and really crampy. I slept it off and felt pretty good yesterday. Then last night I felt gassy again & today my LRQ is tender. I am having bowel movements but am feeling tired. I tend to lean toward the CD with Constipation side. Just to be safe I am keeping myself on a liquid diet today drinking plenty of water.

My question is.....what is safe to eat with a stricture. I already know popcorn is off limits as I believe that to be the cause of my obstruction weeks ago. I do not eat steak and haven't for over a year! I stay away from corn, nuts and now peas since I read a post here saying they are not a good idea. My body seems to be alot more sensitive to food than it used to be which worries me my stricture is getting worse. Some ideas of safe foods other than the typical jello and broth would be great!  I'm starving here!!!!!

Steamed well-cooked rice is usually easy to process and pass. Mashed potatoes. And many turn to the diet drinks like Boost, Slimfast or Ensure to get calories and fullness. When did yuo have your last small bowel follow through series? If it's been a while, it may be time to call the GI and ask for a new one to see if there are changes in your structure.

MikeB said...
Steamed well-cooked rice is usually easy to process and pass. Mashed potatoes. And many turn to the diet drinks like Boost, Slimfast or Ensure to get calories and fullness. When did yuo have your last small bowel follow through series? If it's been a while, it may be time to call the GI and ask for a new one to see if there are changes in your structure.

I believe my first and last SBFT was in August of 2005 after being hospitalized with my first bowel obstruction. I also had my first colonoscopy around that time as well so it's time for another. I was never officially diagnosed with Crohn's. My small bowel follow through came back as consistent with Crohn's and a possible fistula. My colonoscopy came back as consistent with Crohn's as well however no doctor every said "you have Crohn's". They found polyps and the biopsies came back ok. I did have definite inflamation (my doc called it colitis) and my Doc said while using the scope, he could not turn the corner at the illeum because it was too tight. That is where my stricture is. Where the small bowel meets the large bowel.

My stricture is exactly in the same spot.... Like Christina, I avoid anything with nuts, even tomatoes....definately no popcorn...broccoli or cauliflower are absolute no-nos....I can tolerate mashed, overcooked carrots....no salads. I eat a lot of mashed potatoes, rice , soups.... I often rely on boost or ensure to supplement my diet as I know I'm not getting the necessary nutrients from it alone. I've had my stricture for a long,long time and have screamed in pain when I've eaten the wrong food. Its sometimes a good idea to keep a food journal because if you are anything like me , you forget or want to give in to temptation....a quick peek at your journal and the agony that particular food put you in , quickly makes it unappealing.
Good luck. Love and prayers, Mary

---

51 yr.old retired RN,Crohn's D for last35 yrs..severe esophagitis, migraines,strictures,urethral stricture,depression,probable MS.,RLS, arthritis