I've just felt kind of off and and bloated for some time now. Not horrible, not pouchitis, not even every day, but just proportionally, I've felt more off in the ole tum-tum than usual. I read about the issues people have with SIBO, and I'm not even sure that is it, though that might be a sometime contributor. It's certainly not a day by day thing; it can be a once a week thing, or four time a week thing, or not at all a week thing... I should have been keeping a food journal. Oh well.
I was given a good "food" ethic by my parents (they grew loads of their own food, we ate balanced, proportionate meals), but I was also given a great "lust" for food by them, too (love ethnic foods, trying new things, etc.)
I don't overeat, but if I'm to be honest with myself, because I've been feeling bad because of this perianal fistula, and because I've been feeling psychologically squashed by it, too, I've not been reaching for the best foods. I've been a lazier cook in the kitchen, too. I'm not normally a stress eater, but it's made me a lazy eater.
On my trip to Puerto Rico, I felt pretty amazing, but honestly, I was eating fresh fish (red snapper), sides of greens or veggies, and very little processed foods. Lots of salads, too. And I wasn't eating garbage or snacking between meals, either. I was having a beer here or there, but not in excess, but mostly with dinner, I was having my favorite, a dry, red wine.
What tipped me over the edge was that I had chili beans on nachos and thought for about 24 hours after that I was going to DIE! I've never been so bothered by beans before, not ever... I routinely would make chili with beans in the winter, and never have such a reaction. But this time was pretty awful. I've added them to my avoid list, even if I go off a strict FODMAP diet. They're there now with mushrooms and corn, in the bye bye world.
I've decided to try the FODMAP diet, because honestly, it is close to what my own preferences and avoidances are, and I'm wondering if I just avoid the foods because they honestly really do make me feel bad? Like, do I *avoid* apples because they make me bloated and increase my output without thinking about it (and yes, they do, just an example; though I've never really felt that *cooked* apples did that to me, but for experimentation, I've cut them all out - it may just be the increased fiber in them, when raw, really gets me).
I was tested for Celiac, and I don't have that, but I'm going off gluten for a bit, if I can stick to it. Or at least, very LOW gluten, if it gets too hard. That gluten free crap is prohibitively expensive! - though I know relying on store bought/pre-made things is not good eating, either, so I'm trying to avoid using that as a crutch.
I'm already aware I'm lactose intolerant (had the test when I was 11), and I'm pretty good at knowing what bothers me there, seeing as I've dealt with it for 31 years. We already do almond milk, but cheese is a big and difficult hurdle for me (though aged cheese bothers me less... and I do use a dairy aid... but I'm going to try my best to limit or quit cheese for a few weeks.) Yogurt, while bothersome to some folks, has never been a thing to give me issue, either.
Hardest thing for me to give up is going to be onions and garlic (though I've read you can cook them in the oils to flavor things, then just not eat them).
So... long story short.
Anyone on a FODMAP diet? What I'm looking for especially are tips for recipes, and I'd love to hear what works for you. I'd also like to hear if this has worked for anyone, or if you thought it was just a bust...
Thanks in advance.
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