My Diet Basics (For keeping me in remission)

 Hello! Welcome to my Blog! It's been a while since I just went over the basics of how I beat Crohn's. So here is a review.

I have found through journaling and keeping track of everything I eat and drink, and the results, what I can and what I can not eat. Once the basics are learned it can be applied to any food.

Wheat

I started by eliminating all wheat in my diet. This meant pasta, bread, bagels, most cereals, muffins, cookies, cake, donuts etc. Anything that is made with flour. Wheat contains gluten. Now it would be fine to just avoid wheat,  except that gluten is found in other places even when there is no wheat flour. 

Gluten

There are other grains that contain gluten, not just wheat. These include barley, rye, and regular oats. However there are many grains that I can eat, such as millet, quinoa, buckwheat, tapioca, rice, amaranth, and gluten free oats. So there are plenty of flours I can use for baking my own breads etc.

Corn

I found that eliminating wheat and gluten was not enough. Corn was a big problem for me as well. In fact maybe more detrimental than the wheat and gluten. Corn unfortunately is everywhere. And goes by many names. Some examples are corn starch, corn meal, corn syrup, maize, hominy, popcorn, corn flakes and zein.

Soy Sauce

Big no no. Regular soy sauce is derived from wheat, not just soy. Chinese food was out. Had to learn how to cook it my self. There are substitutes, gluten free soy sauce and Bragg's liquid Aminos. 

Corn and Gluten derivatives

These are foods that are derived from wheat or corn, but you would never know it. This was KEY for me. It wasn't until I eliminated these foods that I achieved full remission. These include, but are not limited to: white distilled vinegar, mayo, pickles, ketchup, maltodextrin, malt, powdered sugar (sugar mixed with corn starch), mustard, salad dressings, and xanthan gum. A lot of these contain vinegar. I can use apple cider vinegar and use it on salads. 

It seems like it doesn't leave much to eat. It does. Now comes my blog. As you read further I have product reviews as well as recipes for foods that are safe for me. I never lack things to eat.

Meat and Other Proteins

I can eat any fish, chicken, beef and pork by itself. I can eat canned tuna or sardines packed in water. Its the breading and sauces that contain the gluten and corn derivatives that get me in trouble. I can also eat eggs, tofu and tempeh, as long as the tempeh does not contain barley, which some do. Any bean is ok. Canned beans sometimes contain corn syrup which must be avoided. Bacon must be free of corn syrup. It is possible to find a safe sausage but it's rare to find one free of gluten and corn derivatives.

I can not eat breaded meats, meats with sauce, meatballs or meatloaf (unless homemade), breaded or sauced fish or chicken. I also avoid hot dogs and lunch meats unless I know the ingredients. Hebrew National brand hot dogs are ok.

Fruits and Vegetables

I can eat literally any fruit or vegetable except corn. Now I must watch what goes on them. For salads I use olive oil and lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. I use butter or Earth Balance margarine for cooked vegetables. 

Dairy

Dairy is not recommended for Crohn's since it can cause a lot of gas. I use Lactaid milk with no problem. I eat plain yogurt and add my own sweetener, usually honey. Many commercial yogurts contain corn syrup as a sweetener or corn starch. I like cottage cheese but it usually contains vinegar. One exception is Daisy brand cottage cheese, made without vinegar. Not a fan of cheese, but hen I do it is most safe cut directly from the block. Shredded cheese may have unwanted starch.

Drinks

Other than water I can drink natural juices, soda made with real sugar (Pepsi Real sugar), lactaid or other milk substitutes, coffee and tea with natural sweeteners, and seltzer water.

I can not drink soda made with corn syrup. I avoid protein and energy drinks. Too many ingredients.

Alcoholic Drinks

I am able to drink wine and brandy as they are derived from fruit. 

I avoid all grain alcohol such as beer, whiskey, scotch and vodka.

How to Get Started

The first step for me was keeping a journal. I wrote down literally everything I ate and drank. I also wrote down the bathroom results. In this way I could see which foods were making me flare. At first I didn't see a connection. Then I started realizing that the foods which gave me problems contained either gluten or corn, or derivatives of gluten and corn. 

Please read further in my blog for recipes and products that are gluten and corn free.

The SCD Specific Carbohydrate Diet

This diet designed for IBD and Crohn's has been around for a long time. Though not yet accepted by the medical community, it has shown promise anecdotally and in some studies. My diet is close. actually a bit less restrictive. When I first designed my diet I had not heard of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. Its amazing how close they are. The following charts taken out of my book, How I Beat Crohn's,  compares the two diets on what can and can not be eaten. This book is available through Amazon.

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