Anyone have success with Plant based diet?

Because of being so ill these last 3 weeks I decide to try a diet my friend whois an RN and dietician suggested. It is Dr. McDougals plant based diet plan. Has anyone had any success. I think I can do it for awhile however I AM from WI and WE LOVE CHEESE. the diet stresses how inflamatory eggs are also. I am wondring if down the road I can have things off the diet occasionally without causing too much inflamation?

I would love to see that study. I wonder why more docs dont suggest it?

High dietary fiber can destroy some of us.

It is interesting when you look at the studies how these plant based foods when really well cooked actually reduce inflamation. The cooked fiver seems to help push out the toxic allergin type foods off the the intenstinal wall so it can heal.

Here's the study. It's smaller than my memory led me to believe but hey, it's something. For Crohn's, not UC.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2877178/

I think I’m in remission right now partly because of a change in my diet (I think). I’m keeping track of this by looking at my symptoms, and by going for regular blood tests and stool samples every three months.
I have been following the IBD AID diet which is high in fibre since July 2019, and I tailor it to me by eating foods that I know are OK. (from keeping a diary). Also, I only follow the diet about 80%. So that means that sometimes I do eat wheat, or rice or potatoes, or cheese that is not aged . (aged cheeses are on the IBD AID). If I eat foods that are deep-fried or highly processed, it is very rare and I limit my portion size. I do believe that if I eat 500 to 1000 calorie bag of potato chips On a regular basis (Which is my favourite thing to do, with wine,btw) I would make my disease worse. I have also stopped having alcohol, and I make kombucha. My goal is to eat as much variety of fruit and vegetables as I can. That might mean only eating one strawberry, Adding 1/4 cup of blueberries to my oatmeal and cooking them, or eating a quarter cup of mashed squash, or using extra chopped fresh spices in a dish that I cook. I was vegan for about seven years before diagnosis with IBD, and right now because I have some inflammation, possibly in my small intestine and low ferritin levels and fatigue, iron is my number one priority, so I eat a little bit of meat right now and I eat eggs, and sometimes beef liver.

As for the plant-based diet idea, I think that probably works for many people, because being vegan requires home cooked meals, and maybe less processed foods. Oreos and potato chips are vegan but I know these foods are not good for me in excess. I also used to make Seitan almost every week and I used to eat packaged vegan “meats” from time to time. I don’t do this any more. I eat well cooked red lentils, I eat oats risotto, I eat a variety of overcooked vegetables, roasted with herbs is my favorite, and I have oat bread that I make from scratch with almond butter or peanut butter in the mornings now instead of toast.

My opinion is that when people change their diet to vegan, Paleo, specific carbohydrate, or anti-inflammatory, it gives them something to work towards, it makes them very thoughtful about what they eat, and these different types of diets have helped a lot of people. They need to be tailored to your specific needs. I know people who successfully combine low FODMAP or just low fibre, with IBD AID or vega, But they need to be careful to make sure that their diet is not too restrictive and that they’re getting the nutrients they need.. I think it’s very important that I don’t give specific advice based on my personal experience because all of these diets are restrictive, and having adequate nutrients is extremely important when you’re sick, especially when your body isn’t absorbing nutrients well. It’s complicated, but it’s worth looking into if you can do so without getting caught up in the “shoulds” and the stress of it all!

My view on this is no size fits all. Each body reacts differently to food varieties AND reacts differently at various stages of colon health. Fried or fatty foods tax the digestive system for anyone, not just IBD sufferers. Limiting some of those are likely beneficial to all. Even healthy foods are not obvious. For me personally, there are times my tummy loves a veggie smoothie...other times, rumble/tumble!

Rosiedays said...
I think I’m in remission right now partly because of a change in my diet (I think). I’m keeping track of this by looking at my symptoms, and by going for regular blood tests and stool samples every three months.
I have been following the IBD AID diet which is high in fibre since July 2019, and I tailor it to me by eating foods that I know are OK. (from keeping a diary). Also, I only follow the diet about 80%. So that means that sometimes I do eat wheat, or rice or potatoes, or cheese that is not aged . (aged cheeses are on the IBD AID). If I eat foods that are deep-fried or highly processed, it is very rare and I limit my portion size. I do believe that if I eat 500 to 1000 calorie bag of potato chips On a regular basis (Which is my favourite thing to do, with wine,btw) I would make my disease worse. I have also stopped having alcohol, and I make kombucha. My goal is to eat as much variety of fruit and vegetables as I can. That might mean only eating one strawberry, Adding 1/4 cup of blueberries to my oatmeal and cooking them, or eating a quarter cup of mashed squash, or using extra chopped fresh spices in a dish that I cook. I was vegan for about seven years before diagnosis with IBD, and right now because I have some inflammation, possibly in my small intestine and low ferritin levels and fatigue, iron is my number one priority, so I eat a little bit of meat right now and I eat eggs, and sometimes beef liver.

As for the plant-based diet idea, I think that probably works for many people, because being vegan requires home cooked meals, and maybe less processed foods. Oreos and potato chips are vegan but I know these foods are not good for me in excess. I also used to make Seitan almost every week and I used to eat packaged vegan “meats” from time to time. I don’t do this any more. I eat well cooked red lentils, I eat oats risotto, I eat a variety of overcooked vegetables, roasted with herbs is my favorite, and I have oat bread that I make from scratch with almond butter or peanut butter in the mornings now instead of toast.

My opinion is that when people change their diet to vegan, Paleo, specific carbohydrate, or anti-inflammatory, it gives them something to work towards, it makes them very thoughtful about what they eat, and these different types of diets have helped a lot of people. They need to be tailored to your specific needs. I know people who successfully combine low FODMAP or just low fibre, with IBD AID or vega, But they need to be careful to make sure that their diet is not too restrictive and that they’re getting the nutrients they need.. I think it’s very important that I don’t give specific advice based on my personal experience because all of these diets are restrictive, and having adequate nutrients is extremely important when you’re sick, especially when your body isn’t absorbing nutrients well. It’s complicated, but it’s worth looking into if you can do so without getting caught up in the “shoulds” and the stress of it all!

Also beautifully stated. I need to copy these last two posts because they are so full with beautiful information. I am extremely fatigued right now. I just started Remicade and have been doing the plant base. I did have some turkey though yesterday for Easter. I love all of your ideas. Again many many many thanks.