busy mom needs help and ideas

[kristinj]

Hi all-
I am new here and let me first say that these boards are a lifesaver! I don't know what I would do without all of you. I am still experiencing severe symptoms of pain and frequency and I am trying hard to follow the IC diet. I have printed out the cheat sheet, etc. I gave up all the major problem foods. I am only drinking Evian and Arrowhead waters. My main problem is that I have three young kids and I am busy, busy, busy. I REALLY don't have time for IC, not that anyone does. :bonk: I am losing weight fast because I feel afraid to eat anything. Can anyone suggest some EASY snacks that I might try? I don't have much time to cook. I live near both Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, so if anyone has suggestions of easy snacks to get there, that would be great! I don't really know yet what foods "flare" me (as I am in a constant flare right now) but any and all suggestions are appreciated.Thanks!!!!!!
Kristin

[lexie1]

Hey Kristin- These are snacks that work well for me. Carrot & celery sticks, Triscuits, mozzarella string cheese, original pringles, regular snyders pretzels... Hope this helps! :) Lexie

[kadi]

I love love love Trader Joe's...

Here are a few of my favorite (TJ's) things...
Bread section:
Trader Joe Shepherd's Bread
Trader Joe mini bagels (plain)
Trader Joe mini pita breads (plain)
Trader Joe blueberry scones (also freeze well)
Trader Joe Lavash bread (makes excellent wrap sandwiches)
Trader Joe Cinnamon Raisin bread (thin slice one only, thick slice one has soy in it)
Trader Joe's oatmeal raisin cookies in the tray, not the bag. (bag ones have ingredients I'm allergic to)
Trader Joe's Truly Handmade Tortillas (be careful to get the ones that are just flour & water!)

Treats:
Vanilla meringue cookies
Fat Free Caramel popcorn
Light popcorn
Reduced Guilt Pita Chips
Panda black licorice
Plantain chips
In the summer, they sometimes have blueberry pie - yum!
(Right now they just have a mixed berry pie & I'm too scared to try it)

Dairy
Organic milk
Extra Omega 3 eggs
Rice pudding

Freezer section:
Frozen blueberries
Brown rice (comes in a freezer box of 3 packets) - 3 minutes in the microwave & voila! yummy brown rice!
Double Rainbow blueberry ice cream

Fruits/Veggies
Trays of zucchini
bags of spinach
bags of cauliflower
4 packs of pears
Trays of bell peppers
Mushrooms
If you can tolerate Asian pears, they are very inexpensive at TJ's
Salad for One or Two-romaine or baby greens

Other
Pizza dough (regular one only, the one with no acids) - I use this to make pizza with a spinach sauce instead of tomato OR calzones! Yum.
The chicken broth you want to check out is in the green label can - 99%fat free (just chicken, salt, water!)

Some IC patients can tolerate plain peppermint tea & some plain chamomile tea. Trader Joe also has a low acid coffee (not decaf, so have not tried it myself-my bladder hates caffeine).

I LOVE their french vanilla liquid hand soap.

Have a fun time shopping!

[kadi]

Safeway Grocery List
Keep in mind that we're all different & don't all tolerate the same things...
But I'm very diet sensitive & these are things I can eat...
Hope you find the list helpful.

Produce:
Lettuce
Red bell peppers
Pears (all types)
Dates
Raisins (I'm ok with them, some IC patients are not)
Blueberries
Corn
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Zucchini
Potatoes (all types, including sweet potatoes & yams)
Carrots
Marie's Lite Creamy Ranch dressing (I use less than a teaspoon on the side of the salad, dip my fork into it before each bite of salad, & take Prelief with it)

Fresh carrot juice (I mix this with the pear juice & lots of ice)

Meats
The main thing here is to make sure the meat has not been injected with saline solution, broth, or lemon juice (or anything else for that matter!)
Chicken
Pork
Ground beef (93% lean)
Steaks

Deli Counter
Safeway Dinner Roast Turkey
Primo Taglio Roast Beef

Cracker/Cookie aisle
Original Triscuits
Original Wheat Thins
Lund---- (can't remember how it's spelled) Brown Rice Cakes (plain)
Original Pringles
Original Fritos
Classic Lays potato chips
Safeway Organics Microwave Popcorn (no flavors, just the plain one)
Pepperidge Farms Chessmen or Bordeaux cookies
Nilla Wafers
Teddy Grahams (cinnamon or honey flavor)
Nabisco Original Premium Saltines

Dairy
Nonfat milk
Knudsen cottage cheese (single serving containers only, the bigger containers sometimes have preservative)
Original Philly cream cheese--in the block, not tub (tub has acidic preservatives)
Tillamook or Kraft Mozzarella Cheese (Tillamook for slices, Kraft for shredded)
String Cheese (can't remember brand)
Land o Lakes Butter with Canola spread (be sure to get the one with the red top)
Eggland's Best eggs (have extra omega's in them, a plus)
Some IC patients can tolerate yobaby vanilla yogurt (wish I was one of them)
Kozy Shak Rice or Tapioca puddings

Cereals & Mixes
Quaker oats
Bisquick (get some pure 100% maple syrup to go with the pancakes!)
Jiffy corn muffin mix
Honey
Barbara's Shredded Wheat cakes

Baked Goods
I buy only the things in the special shelves for local bakeries that do not use preservatives or go to Trader Joe's!
SF Bay Area local bakeries
Grace Baking Company makes a great potato rosemary bread I'm fine with
SemiFreddi ciabatta or baguette
Whole Grain Natural Bread company makes a whole wheat bread & a white bread without problem ingredients.
Do check the labels for all these breads though, they have a lot of breads & not all are IC friendly.

Canned
Valley Fresh Premium Chunk White Chicken in Water
Del Monte Lite Pear Halves
Rice Dream Vanilla Classic rice milk

Freezer
Frozen green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, corn
Dreyers Vanilla ice cream (slow churned/less fat)
Dreyers Caramel Swirl ice cream (slow churned)
Ian's chicken nuggets
Steamfresh brown rice

Other
Werther's Original Hard Candies
PepOMint Lifesavers
Kit Kat White Chocolate

Teas & Coffees
Some IC patients are best off with just plain hot water & honey for a hot drink, but for those that can tolerate it, these are mild
Plain peppermint tea
Plain chamomile tea
__________________

[kadi]

I also totally recommend getting a crock pot / slow cooker. I got mine at Target.
I can make a huge pot of chicken soup or a pot roast really easily, by just setting it up on a Saturday morning & voila! Dinner is ready & chicken soup or pot roast freezes really well also.

[kristinj]

Kadi-

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!! Your grocery lists are awesome! I am off to bed now (praying for lots of sleep!!!) but I can't wait to look at them in more detail. Got your pm too. I will write back about that tomorrow too. You are the BEST!!!!!

Kristin

[kadi]

Hi Kristin,
I just added a few things to the lists, so if you've printed it out already, you might want to print it again. I made these lists for my dad to grocery shop when my mom got IC. She got IC about 18 months after I did.
I'm glad to share them & hope they help make things a little easier,

[Rocklandgal]

I just wanted to say that you people are so awesome to take the time and trouble to figure out these long lists and type them out. It is so heartening to know how we can all stick together and help each other. Those lists were wonderful. Lots of good ideas. The one thing that is so difficult is how we are all so different food-wise. Experiment, experiment, experiment.
Karen

[joy0212]

I really needed this!! :)