Any Vegans Out There?

Beano should do a good job with the gas from the beans. I don't think any diet that makes you ill is "healthier." Your GI tract has no interest at all in philosophy, and cannot be persuaded of anything that way.

I agree with what Scott F said and have another comment.  Since I have been on a low iodine diet since August 31 (in preparation to receiving radioactive iodine to threat thyroid cancer, not by choice), I have been eating LOTS of fruits and vegetables (except spinach and broccoli which are frowned upon as having a bit too much iodine).  So of course I started wondering about from where exactly a Vegan would get an adequate supply of iodine, especially since the really iodine rich foods, like seafood and eggs and dairy, are not allowed.  And I think the short answer is spinach, broccoli, all soy products, beans, and sea salt or iodized salt.  Be mindful of that if you do decide to pursue Veganism.  I don't know that if it's the best diet for your J Pouch, however.  That is sort of a trial and error process.

Good luck with going vegan. I know some here have done so successfully, but I imagine that just like any drastic dietary change, you are better off doing it gradually so that your gut has time to adapt. While we are omnivores genetically, animal protein is the easiest way to get our essential amino acids without all the gut discomfort. Beano may or may not help you in the gas department. It is worth a try. If a high carb diet is causing bacterial overgrowth and gas, you may need antibiotics to keep it in check. Remember, without your colon and ileocecal valve, there is nothing to prevent bacteria from migrating upstream from the pouch.

 

Another tricky issue is vitamin B-12, which is only available from animal sources (there are a few vegan supplements, but I don't know how biovailable they are). We can tend to become deficient in B-12 if we had any terminal ileum resected or if we have any chronic pouchitis. We store 3-7 years of B-12, so it can sneak up on years post op. I finally became deficient 19 years post op. Maybe it was age related. Maybe due to more chronic pouchitis. Maybe because I eat less meat now. Anyway, I have to take a supplement now.

 

Ovo-lacto vegetarian is another story, since you can get plenty of animal nutrients from dairy products. As far as iodine goes, as long as you use iodized salt, you are fine. 

 

As was mentioned before, going vegan is not necessarily a "healthy" thing for us. It is fine to try it out, but do not feel like you are a failure if you have to adapt the diet plan to meet your individual needs.

 

Jan

 

 

I really appreciate the feedback thanks! Jan-that was really good info about the physiology of the gut and I do get  B12 shots as needed and take a supplement.   

 

I checked into Beano and it contains fish and wheat on one site's ingredients list. (New Zealand) (First and foremost I am gluten free and have been for 4 years).  Another site said it was Gluten free,(US) all are the same product so that was confusing.

 

I also eat no dairy either as it is hard for me to digest, I am not technically Lactose intolerant but it is best for me to avoid it.

 

I did find out that fennel and activated charcoal are helpful so I am going to try that, and there was a post here on J-Pouch  a while back about someone who had great success with Chlororphyll. Anyone out there doing this treatment?

 

The main reason I am making the change is hopefully it will help my immune system, I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis and feel tired and sick a lot.   It's like anything with having a pouch, as I have had mine a long time and you do have to baby it sometimes so that's what I am doing, but I hope to gradually incorporate more fiber in time.

Sounds like you are on the right track. Maybe trying different legumes will give you different results, such as lentils. Perhaps it is the quantity. I eat a lot of homemade soups with added beans, but it is mostly broth, not beans. 

 

If you haven't read this article yet (and the other link in the article about vegan diet and arthritis), it is worth a look.

http://www.arthritis.org/livin...e-arthritis-diet.php

 

Jan

Gosh thanks so much for this Jan.  I have also read that canned beans cause more gas than dried/soaked you cook yourself.  There is a dried seaweed called Kombu you put in the cooking water that does something to eliminate the gas effects of the beans.  I just got some and am going to try it once I'm feeling a bit better=P

Gee, I never moticed a difference, canned or dried. Doesn't make sense to me, but what the heck do I know? Good luck with it!

 

Jan

 

Hi, Samantha,

You mentioned you also have RA, so if you haven't already, you may want to try avoiding nightshades-- tomato, potato, eggplant, paprika, peppers etc.  It's suppose to help with autoimmune conditions. Have you looked at this website by Sarah Ballantyne, PhD:

http://www.thepaleomom.com/201...are-nightshades.html

She also wrote a couple great books. 

 

As for veganism, well, I'm a meat eater, but I only eat organic, grass fed/ free range, antibiotic and hormone-free meats. I'm not convinced that veganism helps with autoimmunity.  Bone broth, for example, is super nutritious.

http://www.thepaleomom.com/201...s-of-bone-broth.html

 

Good luck and please let us know how you are doing!

 

I don't see how Veganism helps autoimmune disorder more than the Paleo-Autoimmune diet.  Veganism might be a good diet if one has high blood pressure or high cholesterol, but I am not seeing any particular advantage for us here on this board.

Hi CT,

 

I actually have been basically vegetarian, (very little meat, eggs and cheese were a big part of my diet) and am transitioning to vegan. Plus being gluten free for 4 years has been really good for me, I have seen a lot of positive changes. I have done a ton of research and actually there are many benefits of a vegan diet that I am interested for both my husband and me.  I was not in any way suggesting to anyone on this board to switch to a vegan diet. (Please have a look at my original post.)  I have already gotten some results with the problems I was having related to the additional fiber in my diet and am feeling much better.  I hope my input and questions are still welcome on this board, I sort of feel a bit dismissed by your reply.

 

Have you ever tried digestive enzymes? I use NOW brand Super Enzymes:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UT...f=pd_sl_30vb9v1v4j_b
Helps digest meat, carbs and fat. I have a colon though; it's my son who has a J pouch. These enzymes have made a huge difference to me with bloating, gas, diarrhea etc.