I definitely do not have an eating disorder, although I would say that my eating habits were strange when I had active UC. For me the surgery has permitted me to eat normally again.

Sue

I don't eat grains, bread, sugar or fruit (still to much sugar) due to a chronic small bowel bacteria overgrowth. Otherwise I eat a very clean primal/paleo diet. FAR from an eating disorder. I over eat sometimes but about it. I rarely crave anything when I don't eat sugar.

Only veggie I really eat is Broccoli. Otherwise my digestion isn't to good with other greens so I don't bother. I hate how limited I am now but I rather be healthy and not have **** backed up in my pouch.

I eat everything, all the time. My appetite might not be quite what it was before I was ever sick, but it is better than it was during my UC days. Of course for me, back in high school, I could sit down and eat 3 double quarter pounders with no problem. Maybe it's good that my appetite has been curbed a bit...

I'll still eat most of a large pizza in one sitting if I'm bored.

Very interesting comments. Most certainly my K pouch has resulted in me being mega cautious re.
diet. I keep diary to a minimum and believe this
to be for me the cause of my UC. The healthier my
diet the more the pouch is a happy bunny. I avoid additives etc., and fats are a no no. For me
fats cause mucous problems and my clothes can get
wet through.
I have had my surgery for 38 years.
Love the info on this site as we are a rare breed here in Britain. Going through a funny patch with valve not opening but will muddle on as usual. It is amazing what will all learn to
deal with isn't it. Patricia

I think what IBD has done is simply made me a little more cognizant of what I'm eating. I also make an effort to include more bulking foods. But for the most part, I have no dietary restrictions. I was lucky enough not to be sick with UC for very long so I didn't develop any longstanding negative eating patterns, but I WAS afraid of food when I first had my colectomy and was dealing with the ostomy. Several blockages, ileus and TPN made me timid to eat for a while. I also had complete loss of appetite because I was off solid food for over 3 weeks. After I could eat again, I remained generally very careful eating with the ostomy simply because I had 2 full blockages and several partial. Naturally, that will make you cautious. That said, all of those were temporary restrictions. Thankfully, the j-pouch has eliminated most of the food-related problems I had with the ostomy, so I'm no longer worried about what I'm eating for the vast majority of the time, though again, I'm still a little more aware of what is coming in and going out!

That being said, I can definitely understand that they may be a connection with UC, Crohns and eating disorders, given the fact that with such illnesses, food is and can be an enemy or trigger for many symptoms. And I would imagine that those who has UC/Crohns for many years probably developed longstanding eating habits for better or worse.

Sharon,

I must report that my pouchitis has not effected my eating habits at all. I eat anything and everything except red wine which gives me diarrhea, I suspect due to tannins or sulfites in the wine. I am a foodie with great curiousity about ethnic and new cuisines. I also like very spicy foods and do not have any problems with it.

Over the years I have tried various diets, including low carbs, high protein etc. and I do not notice any palpable impact on the pouchitis or the quantity or quality of my stools.

Lately I have been eating more salads than ever before. I seem to do well with them as well.

I think fiber is more important for me because of the bowel narrowing issue I have so I am careful to take a supplement a few times daily to keep things moving and prevent fecal stasis.

I think IBD certainly can lead to an eating disorder. I suffered from anorexia for years after being diagnosed with UC. There were many other girls in treatment with me who suffered from food related illnesses (diabetes, celiac disease to name of few). While I don't believe IBD causes an eating disorder I do believe there is probably a higher ratio. I also believe there is a lot of disordered eating followed by IBDers that may not fall under the umbrella of a diagnosable eating disorder.

Not so much what I eat, although I am careful to avoid a few things which are unhealthy for anybody, but HOW I eat. OMG - it takes me soooooo long to finish a meal, as I eat so slow, chewing everything to a pulp. Leads to some lonely meals, as everybody finishes before me -- long before me.

Here's something I don't understand - I was brought up in a household where high-carb was the rule, and where desserts for served 3/day (if not more). When I revisit my family and get back on that old, "unhealthy" diet, my jpouch actually behaves so much better. So in my case, I struggle with the "healthy for me" vs. "good for my pouch" battle.

I don't have an eating disorder either except that also being a foodie I have to watch that I don't overeat or eat to much of the fattening foods. Having said that I have had a few bowel obstructions so I am reluctant to eat some foods (mussels in particular as they are huge here and you cant chew them to a pulp), also the fibrous parts of citrus fruit - I'm sure that caused one of my trips to the ED.

But I also didn't suffer too long with the UC. I only had 2 major flares in my life although they were severe. I had no problems as a child and I can well see how a lifetime of illness could easily lead to a uneasy relationship with food. I have a friend with severe asthma and she struggles with a lot of food for that reason. I have also known people with IBD as teenagers and have seen their struggle with food. The ones I mention either hardly eat anything due to being sick and when they are well they tend to chow down on rubbish such as sweets, potato chips etc as there a few occasions when they can actually tolerate anything.

What is a Foodie? I keep seeing people use the word but I don't know what it means....a Gourmet?
I am checking on the Poll results and finding that a lot of us have to starve before going out at some period or point in the disease or life of the pouch...keep those answers coming...I will be sending them off to a pouch surgeon for feeback and to see what we can do to modify the quality of follow up patients get.
Sharon

quote:

What is a Foodie? I keep seeing people use the word but I don't know what it means....a Gourmet?

Sharon,

What this means is a person who is interested in eating out as a hobby, trying different cuisines, whether ethnic cuisines or new and inventive cuisines, or just someone who likes eating out and experimenting with different restaurants. If you go on the website YELP.com, and read restaurant reviews, many are compiled by self-styled "foodies" who are amateur "experts" on dining out.

For years I belonged to a dinner club, as one of my clients was affiliated with the AIWF (American Institute of Wine and Food). The membership of this organization is/was a collection of "foodies", people who ate out together once a month as a hobby, sampling different cuisines and different wines, mostly things that are new and original or different than the mainstream. As an example, one month we went to Equus, at the Castle on the Hudson, which is Zagat rated the #26 restaurant in the USA. We sampled sparkling white wines from a winery on the North Fork of Long Island and then dined on a 4 course dinner prepared by a well known Chef (forget his name, he has a European accent). He addressed us after the dinner, about his preparation of the food and choice of ingredients and the origins of the meats and vegetables and why he chose this one or that one. He received a standing ovation. I believe he is Swiss but I could not identify his accent which sounded hybrid European to my ears.

When you go to these dinners people in the food and wine industries give speeches and you realize how much effort and thought goes into the preparation of food and the making of wines by the better restaurants and wineries. For me it was a stunning revelation, especially when I listened to a winery owner from the Finger Lakes region of New York, where the growing season is very, very short and great attention is paid to weather reports and soil conditions. It makes you realize the significant amount of science involved in growing grapes and then getting them to the winemaker.

I personally happen to be a Foodie specialized to the Asian cuisines. I have eaten at almost every restaurant in New York City's Chinatown that is worth eating at, if anyone ever wants my input on it. Chinatown is the ONLY place in NYC where you can get great food at reasonable prices (with some minor exceptions).

Thanks DJB,
I have learned something new today...
Sharon
ps...I am watching a food show that is presently talking about 'mutton testicles' which are the specialty of the city of Limoges...now, how do you get those sheep to give up their testicle? and what to serve them with?
(Sautéed with garlic, parsley and butter! Beware to not overcook or they become rubbery!)
Sharon

quote:

how do you get those sheep to give up their testicle

I don't think they are given up voluntarily.

Regarding sheep, the national dish of Scotland is something called Haggis, which is made from sheep's pluck (heart, liver and lungs) minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally encased in the animal's stomach and simmered for approximately three hours.

I was raised eating the Eastern European equivalent of Haggis, which is called "Hurka", the primary difference being that Pig/Pork is the animal which furnishes the meat products for the dish, and white rice is used in lieu of oatmeal. Some of the spices are different as well. It's encased in the intestines of the pig. Hurka is usually baked, as opposed to simmered, and it's also quite greasy, if made in the traditional Eastern European manner. Not something I would recommend for a J Pouch or a K Pouch, because of the spices and grease/fat content.

Pouch or no pouch...I would have problems with it...
sorry but I am not adventurous enough for that.
Sharon
ps...there is a real 'new wave' of old foods coming back into fashion...lots of organs, brains etc...no idea if these animal protiens are pouch friendly or not...they should be, they are in fact protiens but I still have problems with anything that has intestines in it. Can't help it.
Sharon

My mother, who is Hungarian by birth, would cook sauteed chicken hearts for us when I was a kid. She sauteed them with onions and sherry (as I recall). Served them like a stew over white rice. I ate them. I saw them in a supermarket a few weeks ago, but had no real desire to rekindle this aspect of my youth. They are likely high in protein and good for my J Pouch, but there is too much other good stuff out there to try.

I still watch everything I eat. I hardly eat at all. If I do eat out comes the diarrhea almost before I even finish the meal. I eat very little and chew a lot. I don't understand how you all can eat. I just wish I could eat something and have it stay in. I am on all those medicines that help with it all. I am sick of taking medication. I feel like I have UC all over again. I must say I love my new weight and size but I hate not being able to eat. It is a bummer. Truthfully it sucks.......

grandmaof1,

I am so sorry you are having such difficutly with your pouch. I would contact your doctor. Perhaps you have Pouchitis who other related issues.

Your message is somewht vague. You say you watch everything you eat and hardly eat all, but what are you eating? I would keep a journal of what you eat and jot down what your reaction is to the food you eat. With J-Pouchers, what one food aggravates our disgestive system, another person can eat it. I always though that unfair but that is life.

I am not sure what or much medicine you are taking. In my situation, I can be feeling real good, and then I come down with a bad cold or an infection. I cannot handle antibiotics beause of the response I get from frequent bowel trips, runs, cramps and so forth. Last year I had a root canal and was giving a script for pain. I chose not to take it because pain in my mouth I have to tollerate cause its a lot easier then dealing with the runs, constipation then butt burn.

Its hard for me to give you advice on this topic but there are many people on this board I have learned from who are very compassionate and understanding and give you their points. Other then your doctor, most people here want to help others. However, there is one who is not and you know the person by the one who makes you feel more miserable and his comments are negative.


Rocket

Grandma,
It is not normal to no longer be able to eat after the j pouch creation...it should be the opposite...you should be able to eat better than when you were sick...
I would try a new direction...seperate the foods that you eat by only eating 1 type at a time (for instance just chicken for 1 meal, or just tomato soup) I found relief when I started to do that seriously for a while...I learned what I could eat and with what other foods...some mixes are just toxic for my body and pouch so I stopped (for about 20 yrs)...now I eat everything and wish that I didn't but that is another story...my pouch is very happy with a dissociated diet (that is what it is called)....
But honestly a food diary will help you to track the reactions that your body has to everything that you eat, when and where you eat it (at home, in a restaurant...) and with what...including meds and all liquids...some people need to drink while eating and others just cannot!
Hope that this helps
Sharon