I love this!  We bought some really good bacon recently.  I promise I did not read this in advance. - I thought  - and commented to my husband - wow - this is really not bothering my GI at all. This bacon is really tasting good and seems to stay in me longer than a lot of foods.  It is so true that we respond to salty foods. That's one of the ironies of this pouch - foods considered "bad" for you are often what work well for a j pouch.  I also loved whoever above said, "McDonalds fries" - about once a month or so, I get this craving for those - I get a small order.  My body responds with joy.  They don't hurt my GI, and clearly - I'm needing the sodium.  I suppose just use moderation.  I try to eat green stuff often - I know my body needs it - but it's hard on the GI.  I just eat it and poop it right back out.  Yes, if I fry it w/ some fat and breading it stays in longer.  But, I don't always want to do all that work.  So, often, I just get out the spinach and grab a big handful and chew,chew,chew it to get some of those good vitamins and antioxidants in me.  Also try to use greens in smoothies.  But, man BACON!

There seems to be an assumption in this thread that all bacon is unhealthy.  The problem ingredient in bacon is nitrites and it is possible to remove them and then you are left with a product called UNCURED BACON. See this:

http://www.healthline.com/heal...red-vs-uncured-bacon

I bought some uncured bacon last week at Bishops Orchards which was made in Vermont and it was absolutely delicious.  With uncured bacon you basically have to use it or freeze it which is not really a big deal if you divide and freeze in individual portions.

The brand I bought was expensive and made with maple syrup or flavor.  It was all natural and delicious.

Virdent posted:

I was questioning my pouch for awhile there but it seems really well done bacon, cooked in the oven, eaten with plain white rice and soya sauce has been a life saver for me, sure it's maybe not the healthiest food but just knowing I can eat this dish at any hour and not suffer is amazing! I've been adding nutrition via juiced veggies and just relying on the rice and meat to bulk me up, so far.. things are pretty good.

 

I've also been realizing how important vitamin D levels are against fighting off pouchitis (According to dr Shen's research.) and have upped my dosage considerably as well as hitting up a tanning salon once a week, ( I live in Canada and the sun is hiding most the fall/winter months. ) and I feel nearly as good as I did before my initial Colitis diagnosis.

 

As with most things in life, there seems to be a risk vs reward aspect to things and you just have to weigh what is worth it for your own situation!

Just curious how much you upped the Vit-D to? What daily amount? Thanks!

I can do bacon in moderation.  But potato chips?  Not so much.  Has anyone else had a problem with potato chips?  

I can eat potato chips, but have to chew, chew, chew and only in moderation. I wonder if they have gluten.  I don't know. 

The truth is I can eat just about anything - coconut macaroons being the one thing I avoid as once they caused a stop up which led to hospital stay due to intestinal blockage. 

That said, eating many things comes with a price. I think one of the biggest difficulties for me is that all the things that are so good for one to eat - fruits and veggies - a wide variety is what we need to be eating - are often very hard on my GI.  I try to eat them anyway and just deal with the consequences.  I notice as I age, I eat them less often as I'm just tired of dealing with what they do to my GI.  If anyone out there has any suggestions about fruits and veggies and getting more of them into diet with pouch, I'd be interested in hearing from you.

Sorry about the chips bothering you.  It's truly so individual regarding what bothers GI with a pouch. 

I don't really eat fruits or vegetables and I personally don't think its negatively impacted my life. but I hear ya, as the media hypes the "need" for them. of course I will morbidly admit that I am likely to die before the actuarials estimate but I don't think it will be because of the lack of fruits or vegetables in my diet.

Hi Angie,

I recommend getting a Nutri bullet or something similar. I make a fruit smoothie every morning with yogurt, strawberries, blueberries and banana (or any other fruits you  like). Normally the berries would tear up my stomach, but I tolerate them blended. Also, the yogurt is great to provide the good bacteria we need. I actually make my own yogurt since it provides more of the  good bacteria. The store bought stuff loses a lot of the bacteria when shipped.

You can also use the Nutri bullet to make a veggie/fruit juice. I recommend carrots, spinach, cucumber and apples. It doesn't look that appetizing, but tastes great! 

I can honestly say that I feel so much better adding the smoothies/drinks to my diet. I can tell a huge difference if I don't have them. I tend to feel more sluggish.

Maverick - I don't tolerate greasy chips like Lays or Ruffles, but I can tolerate the natural or baked version of the chips. 

Thanks for the reply.  I have used a blender to do the above, but not the nutri bullet.  I wish I could say I notice a big difference in my energy levels  - but I don't.  I think maybe I'm just getting old and have tremendous adrenal fatigue.  I am tired a lot and part of the reason why is I do not exercise enough.  I know that is my own fault!  I sort of hit a wall - but I need to get back on a program. Thanks for the advice on the nutria bullet. I really appreciate it.

Just saw Dewey's reply too - I am sort of with you.  This is going to sounds nuts - but I had one of those NDE things happen during a botched operation.  Yep - the white light and all that.  Ever since then, I have become less concerned with my physical health and more interested in spiritual health.  I became way less concerned with material things and acquiring, too.  So, I do try to eat well some of the time - just to have some energy, but I sort of have accepted that as I age...I'm not a spring chicken anymore.  Lots of people have a tremendous need to stay very active, play sports, etc.  and need all that energy.  So, I think this is all a very individual decision.  Finally, since I stopped working, I do not need all that energy to get through those exhausting work days.  I sure did need it when I was working all those years. I was a very high energy kid and worker for many years - and now I'm at a slower pace and I've finally given myself permission to not think I'm 35 anymore!