I am commenting here mostly to follow this text.  I mostly have noticed that natural sugars aren't bad on my guts as long as they're in moderation.  Mostly that's pure honey and pure maple syrup.  I have tried dates to sweeten things and the jury is still out on that.  I haven't tried artificial sweeteners in any sort of controlled way, so I really don't know what they do to me.

I could start with finding some recipes that use only honey or maple syrup as a sweetener... thanks for mentioning that.

I'm sure lots of people will have input on this!  So many different bodies!  But I have noticed that nearly universally in this group, people say sugar messes with them.

Yea, it messes me up, but I’m not giving it up! 😠

it one of the few food pleasures I have left in my life.

my no-go list is so extensive, that sweets are my only relief from this crazy jpouch life we have.

but I agree, moderation is the key here, like most things in life.

I found a simple maple muffin recipe... flour, milk, eggs, butter and maple syrup.  I made just made them. Hopefully he can tolerate them.... he'll be home this afternoon... 

@New577 posted:

Yea, it messes me up, but I’m not giving it up! 😠

it one of the few food pleasures I have left in my life.

my no-go list is so extensive, that sweets are my only relief from this crazy jpouch life we have.

but I agree, moderation is the key here, like most things in life.

Would you mind sharing your no-go list?  I'm interested in what you have learned from your experience with this. 

ok here goes, its not the total list:

- corn - all types (cob, muffins, chips)

- fish (seafood ok)

- red meat (> 4 ozs)

- nuts of any type

- fried chicken (even with coating removed)

- potatoes - all types (chips, baked, mashed, fries)

- skins of any type (fruit, fowl, vegetables)

- salads

- seeds of any kind

- glutten (> then a slice or 2 of bread)

- extended release medications

btw, just because its above doesn't mean I don't partake now and then....

I just accept that gas, butt burn or pouch irritation will follow

Granted my pouch is turning 17 this year, but I like Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Zero Sugar. It uses sugar alcohols that some people do fine on and others not so good.  It's all a try and see type of thing. They are a nice treat when the sugar bug hits.

Yum. Do they have cherry jolly ranchers of this sort? 🍒

@Still Standing posted:

Granted my pouch is turning 17 this year, but I like Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Zero Sugar. It uses sugar alcohols that some people do fine on and others not so good.  It's all a try and see type of thing. They are a nice treat when the sugar bug hits.

thanks, we'll give them a try...

@New5770 my husband was wondering what you do eat in typical day....

@Joe's wife posted:

I could start with finding some recipes that use only honey or maple syrup as a sweetener... thanks for mentioning that.

I won’t be able to give you accurate information until you make plenty of these so called “recipes “ and invite me over to test them.  After a few months of this I can give you a detailed report on how they effect my pouch….looking forward for the invitation..

Breakfast every day:

- rice cakes (3-4) with cream cheese or cottage cheese

- protein bar

- glass of orange juice

no lunch

dinner:

-roasted chicken or lobster/crab legs or lean cold cuts sandwich or chicken quesadilla

-seedless watermelon or cantaloupe

- some type of sweet

gatorade throughout the day for hydration

occasionally I will have some steak or a burger or a slice of pizza, but I have to really watch the quantity of these.

@Ryan138 posted:

I won’t be able to give you accurate information until you make plenty of these so called “recipes “ and invite me over to test them.  After a few months of this I can give you a detailed report on how they effect my pouch….looking forward for the invitation..

LOL! what are the chances we live in the same city?  I can send the recipes to you if you like.... 

the maple muffins were a hit, he did not have an issue with them.

I was just after the laughs…..this pouch life can be difficult and I wish you and your husband the very best..

I myself wouldn't go for substitutes. I'd prefer to reduce the amount of sugar in typical recipes to about half of it. There is simply too much of it in normal recipes  and processed foods.

Remember to add some additional spices or roasted foods ... to replace the missing sugar flavor.

@SteveG posted:

I myself wouldn't go for substitutes. I'd prefer to reduce the amount of sugar in typical recipes to about half of it. There is simply too much of it in normal recipes  and processed foods.

Remember to add some additional spices or roasted foods ... to replace the missing sugar flavor.

Can you share an example of the roasted foods approach?  I know roasting helps bring out the natural sweetness in veggies.  I wonder if you have any recipes to share?  TIA!

I was thinking of nuts which are more tasty after roasting them. But you can take any kind of seeds.

My go to surgars r coconut sugar & raw honey in baking & adding to drinks & so forth.

I love chocolate, this is my downfall & use dark chocolate,

I have a great morning recipe or snack.  It's organic Lundberg rice cakes. I top with organic peanut butter or almond butter.  Use what like & can tolerate.  Melt dark chocolate & pour over top & refrigerate until chocolate sets.  It's sumptuous.

I use Stevia in my coffee. You can bake with Stevia. I’ve been using it for the past four years or so. My takedown was 2016. I do eat desserts but they are usually small fruit tarts or a small slice of carrot cake and, yes, the sugar will mess with me for a day or so. I avoid desserts that have massive sugar and carb content such as custard donuts, cupcakes, cakes. These will cause messy results and gas. Your husband could try small amounts, maybe a few bites of something to see. Buy the smallest size of something so if it doesn’t work out you aren’t left with wasted food. It takes time so good luck to him, and you.

I recently started the FODMAP diet recommended by Dr. Shen.  It is working very well for me during the elimination phase. Since many vegetables contain hard to digest sugars, it is a good resource if experimenting with roasting vegetables.  Too much of the wrong ones, deliciously roasted, may cause problems.  I was delighted to find that FODMAP lists some sugars as more easily digested than others.  White , brown, coconut Sugar - in moderation are ok.  Maple syrup the same. Honey and agave syrup and molasses are not.   Sweetening with a date is good - I cut up and add to teas, oatmeal and baked goods.

Moderation is the key for me; avoiding baked goods with wheat flour (cake, cookies), that I can never eat in moderation, has made a huge difference. Fortunately there are lots of alternative flours readily available for the bakers among us or for the loved ones who bake for us!

@AMB posted:

I recently started the FODMAP diet recommended by Dr. Shen.  It is working very well for me during the elimination phase. Since many vegetables contain hard to digest sugars, it is a good resource if experimenting with roasting vegetables.  Too much of the wrong ones, deliciously roasted, may cause problems.  I was delighted to find that FODMAP lists some sugars as more easily digested than others.  White , brown, coconut Sugar - in moderation are ok.  Maple syrup the same. Honey and agave syrup and molasses are not.   Sweetening with a date is good - I cut up and add to teas, oatmeal and baked goods.

Moderation is the key for me; avoiding baked goods with wheat flour (cake, cookies), that I can never eat in moderation, has made a huge difference. Fortunately there are lots of alternative flours readily available for the bakers among us or for the loved ones who bake for us!

Thanks for the info, I will look into that...

So, my experience... I was on a diet that used meal replacement goods, all of which had sucralose, xyletol or other sugar alcohol.  I had horrible results with my pouch, and my GI forced an abrupt cut-off of ALL sugar alcohols.  I can only use aspertame per Dr's orders.  Be careful because sugar alcohols are present in A LOT of foods.  Even Monk Fruit sweetener and Stevia sweeteners are often combined with a sugar alcohol (i.e. Xylitol, anything ending with "ol").  Just my 2 cents worth.