Finally... an IC friendly cereal!

[icnmgrjill]

Like most IC patients, I have on occasion struggled with various food sensitivities, allergies and the dreaded IBS. It took several years for me to discover that most packaged cereals made me worse each day. If it had oatmeal, I'd have cramps. If it had too much sugar, I'd have nausea and gas. If it had preservatives, I'd have headaches and just felt crappy most of the day. Thus, for the past 15 years, I haven't eaten any cereal at all... until two weeks ago!

Many of you may have heard me rave about a bread company called "Food For Life" that makes preservative free breads... brand name EZEKIEL Breads. These are usually found in the frozen section of most supermarkets. Made with no preservatives or processed flours, these Breads are high in protein, very healthy and have been my bread of choice for years now. I can eat them and feel just great... but give me a piece of generic White bread... and I'll have symptoms again. It also makes wonderful french toast!

Amazingly, this company has now started making Ezekiel cereals... again with no preservatives... just plain ole grains. It's awesome!!! It's reminiscent of grapenuts but bigger and more flavorful. The Raisin Ezekiel has tons of fruit in it... and you really feel like you've gotten your bran for the day. I can vouch for the fact that it certainly helps with regularity.

In any case, check their website for a distributor near you. It's definitely worth a try!

http://www.foodforlife.com/summary.asp?cat=28


Jill :)

[Janie Miranda]

Thanks Jill. I will check it out. Now if I could only find a suitable milk substitute!

[traceann]

Thanks Jill!! I checked the retailer locator and found one near my in-laws... I will be visiting them this weekend, I think I'll see if Mom G is feeling adventurous....which of course she always is... LMAO!!!!

Thanks again!

[karen10300]

Thanks Jill. Am I a lucky one or not? I checked out the retailors and there are 6 stores within 5-10 miles of me that carry these products. Guess I need to go shopping.

[ICNDonna]

Omigosh! There are actually 17 retailers in or near Eugene, Oregon --- and all are within reasonable driving distance. One is near where I do lots of shopping. I'll certainly check it out.

:)
Donna

[massagedoula]

I did not know that Ezekiel cereals are good for IC! This is great news. I actually used to eat the cereals and bread before IC, but I never ate then afterwards because they contain sprouted rye as one of the ingredients. That does not bother you? That is wonderful...I will go try some tomorrow. Raisins don't bother you either??? They do me...I will have to get the plain type....

[massagedoula]

OOh...I just saw that they also have English muffins...yum! I hope that the rye does not bother me! I am trying them tomorrow....

[icnmgrjill]

The nice thing about these products is that they are not made from processed flour... which concentrates many of the irritating ingredients. Thus, I've never talked with a patient who had a flare from them. You can't even taste the rye... it just tastes like a normal, great, wheat bread!

Jill :)

[massagedoula]

Jill,

I am concerned about something. I found the cereal and I got the Almond one. I love it! But...when I was reading the ingredients I noticed that an ingredient is SPROUTED SOYBEANS!!!! If soy is an IC trigger, than how is this cereal IC safe????

Hoping I don't flare,
Emily

[massagedoula]

Jill???

I am still wondering about the soy. I bought the cereal and the english muffins and they are both delicious...but I am scared to try them again because of the soy. I did not have a big flare from eating them yesterday, but my nocturia was very increased (8 times) and with all things IC, who knows if it was from the food or another source?

So...please let me know what you think about the soy in the bread, if it is safe for us.
Thank you!

[Romans8:28]

These sound good thanks! I make a lot of my own breads but really have struggled when I can't! Can't wait to try these. I have found another wonderful cereal you guys might want to try. It's made by Kashi, again organic no preservatives. It's called Autumn Wheat. Ingredients organic whole wheat, organic evaporated cane juice and natural flavor. These are lightly cane juice sweetened squares and the only one that gives me no problmes.(They ahve a cinnamon one to but my store doesn't carry it.) I like to just snack on them too!

[icnmgrjill]

Remember, this is not processed bread... thus the soy content is SO SMALL it's doubtful that it would trigger IC at all. The soy that we worry about are concentrated soy products like Tofu, Soy Milk, Soy Sauce. Honestly, I don't think you need to worry about it at all. Try just a piece or two and see how you feel. I'll be amazed if it bothers you. I've been very diet sensitive over the years... and this bread has never bothered me even when my IC was at its worst.

Jill :)

[massagedoula]

Thanks Jill,
I just posted a question about this in the diet section, but I think that you answered my question. I am so happy to have another healthy and good tasting thing in my diet. The English Muffins are great! The cereal is quite good as well....I still have not tried the bread, because I found the muffins and that was exciting....

[itzbezzy]

holy crikey, there are 28 retailers of this in tucson. :woohoo: amazing. i'm so totally going shopping for bread and cereal- i've been craving french toast like woah lately.

thanks for the info! :D

[Rosalie]

I've just emailed the company to see if they export to or manufacture in Australia.
Fingers crossed!

[lauriejwas]

I think it's great that you all have found Ezekiel breads to be OK for you! I know how you feel -- I'm very excited when I find another food I can have! Unfortunately, even very small amounts of soy really do affect my IC. I used to think tuna bothered my IC until I found out it had soy. Ditto for Pam cooking spray. Ditto for ice cream. I can't have any soy at all. And it is one of the top 5 allergens. If it doesn't bother you, consider yourself very lucky because it's in 70% of our food products including health foods!

[lauriejwas]

P.S. to my last message. Does cane juice affect anyone negatively? I'm trying to find a cereal that's a little sweet (for dessert) but one that does not have soy. Unfortunately, all the healthy sweet cereals have cane juice and I'm wondering if anyone has a problem with this before I try it. I find I'm OK with white sugar, but definitely not OK with brown sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup (the real kind), or artificial sweetners.

[mela414]

laurie, I seem to have the same sensitivities as you. I am so soy sensitive that I am afraid to try this cereal. I do ok with white sugar but some of the others you mentioned also bother me.
having said that, I am still curious enough to try a little...........I need something a little more nutritious for breaksfast........I'll let you know if I do.

[DCS]

I found a cereal that I absolutely love and does not bother my bladder one bit! It is Alf's Brown Rice Cereal at the Wal-Mart Supercenter. It is in a yellow bag. I've always been a lover of puff rice but have shyd away from the preservatives in the box.

Alf's Brown Rice Cereal is preservative FREE!!! My sister who does NOT have IC is now hooked on the cereal.

If you like puff rice then you will definitely like this.

Hope everyone has a wonderful and pain free day!!!!!!!!

DCS

[Janie Miranda]

Hey thanks a bunch! I'll try it!

[Casi]

I buy lightly salted plain rice cakes and break them in to pieces in a bowl and put milk and sugar on them and eat it just like cereal. It's really good!