To eat or not to eat?? Lots of food questions!

[momtoSM]

Ok, so it has been almost 3 months since my IC diagnosis. I have been following the IC diet very strictly (by that I mean I have barely tried anything in the "may be ok" section of the recommended foods).

I don't even like eating anymore, but I know I have to so I make myself each day. I have now lost 16 pounds and really can't afford to lose more. I am starting to crave the simple foods in life now, like an apple, peach, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and all of my other favorite foods which I can no longer eat, etc. Then there is chocolate, which I haven't even had a lick of since my diagnosis. Uhhhh!!! The cruelty!!

So, I'm wondering is it ok to eat:

1. peanut butter (chunky or creamy)

2. jelly (all different fruit kinds)

3. things which contain other acid ingredients which are not citric acid or ascorbic acid

4. lunch meat packaged or from the deli

5. what about Subway or other sub places

6. things that contain less than 1% of citric acid or MSG

7. chips

8. suckers or chewing gum

9. recipes with cream of mushroom, celery, or chicken

Well, I know I could list a million more, but that's all I can think of at the moment. Thanks so much for your help. I'm sooo hungry!!!

Erika :)

[leelee88]

Erika,

What I have learned with the IC diet is just through trial and error. We are all differant when it comes to food. So what bothers me might not bother you. I would suggest that you stay away from things that contain MSG. But like I said it's all trial and error. I would just slowly add back foods one at a time..

[karen10]

I can tell you what I know, but like Ronda said, it's trial and error for everyone! Until recently peanuts were off limit, but a study was done this summer (search this site for that transcript) and the nurse Jill interviewed said peanuts seemed to be ok. I would opt for natural peanut butter. I do know people have done fine with sunflower butter which is a good substitute for it, and I do cashew and almond butter, which are also ok for many.
No lunch meats because many have preservatives, bht, etc. Jellies--if you can find a blueberry or peach one (I think you can find at the ICN shop) with no citric acid. I eat chips all the time, but always buy the natural ones, with potatoes, safe oils, salt. Some people do eat at subway, not sure about the meats though, but chicken should be fine. I don't do recipes with cream soups, but maybe someone else can give more insight on that.

I know it's hard, I'm an an even more strict diet, eating only veges, meats, some nuts and seeds, and rice these days. But every 3 days I add in a new food to try. It's time consuming, but worth it! Eventually you'll figure out what bothers your bladder! :)

[SharonA]

The IC Diet is frustrating and difficult to stick to without having cravings for all the things that taste so good. Like Leelee said, and you will hear this a lot around here, we are all different and can tolerate many different combinations of foods/drinks.

I am not very diet sensitive but I have learned that I have to stay away from two of my very favorite things...oranges and orange juice. I can't even begin to explain how much I love them. Maybe by saying that I grew up in a house that had an orange tree in the back yard and we used to pick them right off the stem and eat them or squeeze them for the juice. My mouth waters for them to this day. But I have learned from personal experimentation that there isn't an orange out there that is worth the kind of pain they cause me, now.

So, I said that to say this, we have to experiment on ourselves to learn what we, as individuals, can and can not tolerate. Use the directions that come with the IC Diet when you decide that you want to try to add something new. Take a very small amount the first time...see if it bothers you...add a bit more the next day and then the next day. If it does not, then you can add it to your okay list. Then repeat this with the next food that you want to try. If it does bother you, then put it on a no no list.

I really hope that you can tolerate some of your favorite comfort foods. That make dealing with the other issues of IC so much easier. :)

[alycat]

As a very food sensitive ICer, I can tell you what I've found personally.

Peanut butter is okay, just go with the organic kind (I think Jiffy or one of the big brands does make an organic one, and it tastes just as good as the regular kind)

Be very careful with jelly. IC safe fruit only, and watch for citric acid or other acids. I would eat very small amounts at first, and maybe try prelief (an acid reducer. There's a whole section of the forums dedicated to the stuff).

acid of all kinds should be taken with caution. Especially if you have issues with acid foods like fruit.

I've found that meat from the deli tends to be okay (just no spicy rubs or anything). Packaged meat however kills me because of the preservatives they put in it. I would read the labels.

Subway is one of my favorite places to eat because it's really easy to keep from getting stuff you can't eat. Turkey, chicken, and roast beef seem to be safe for me, along with american cheese.

I avoid citric acid and MSG liek the plague. I would avoid these at all costs, cause personally, MSG flares are the worst.

Potato chips are safe, just watch for chemical preservatives or the flavored kind (Spicy, Ranch, etc)

I've never had issues with gum, but I would watch suckers. alot are pretty acid-y tasting.

As long as you go organic, you should be okay. Try making the stuff yourself; that's the easiest way to control ingredients.

Prelief is a great way to help keep from getting flares with some acid foods. However, it doesn't work on everything, so I would just be cautious. Everyone is different with this disease, so what flares me might not flare you. Just thought I'd give you some advice from a food sensitive ICer.

[Pensive Girl]

you CAN get all-natural and organic lunch meats at a lot of places now. those are really safe. and also, i can eat eggs and i eat them a lot as a protein source.

roasted red peppers are good to put on sandwiches, and you can buy them in jars at the grocery store. mozerella cheese is okay for sure.

i know what you mean about craving simple things.

maybe i'll try peanut butter :)

[sue1]

i agree..its all trial & error. the IC diet is way to hard to follow (for me) so many limitations. if i eat something NEW i will have a small amount. I made a huge mistake this wk..i went to toni romas for sons birthday dinner & had the shrimp skewers..there was some kind of spice on them & i am paying for it now.
I can eat PB & J sandwiches (thank god) i love PB.

[ICNDonna]

I can't tell you what would be okay for you, but for me I can try to give you answers:

1. peanut butter (chunky or creamy) I DO OKAY WITH PEANUTS.

2. jelly (all different fruit kinds) ONLY IF I CAN EAT THE FRUIT ITSELF.

3. things which contain other acid ingredients which are not citric acid or ascorbic acid
I AVOID ACID FOODS

4. lunch meat packaged or from the deli I USUALLY STICK WITH THOSE WITHOUT LOTS OF EXTRA INGREDIENTS

5. what about Subway or other sub places I LIKE SUBWAY BECAUSE I CAN TELL THEM EXACTLY WHAT TO PUT ON MY SANDWICH

6. things that contain less than 1% of citric acid or MSG ABSOLUTELY NO MSG

7. chips I READ LABELS

8. suckers or chewing gum AGAIN, READ THE LABELS

9. recipes with cream of mushroom, celery, or chicken IF YOU BUY THE LOW SODIUM ONES YOU CAN ADD SOME SALT, AND MOST DON'T HAVE MSG