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I need to vent. This isn’t some tragic “woe is me” post. Like I keep saying, I’m just trying to be honest about my experiences with chronic illness.
I’ve been limited in my food options for years now kudos to an extremely touchy stomach, but due to my recent ulcerative colitis flare and the medicine I’m taking, my diet is even further reduced. I wanted to write some snarky rhyming poem about the things I can’t eat right now because I miss being able to inhale whatever I want. But that list is as long as Rural Route 1, and the only good rhyme with “no gluten” is “highfalutin’” (I guess I could rhyme it with “tootin’–but that’s the obvious choice when you’ve got tummy issues.).
Here’s a list of what I’m currently, barely, tolerating:
- White rice (Thank heavens for jasmine rice.)
- Eggs
- Ripe bananas
- Overly cooked plain green beans.
- Mushy zucchini
- Boiled/sauteed spinach–no stems
- Natural peanut butter
- String cheese–one serving daily
- Gluten-free bread
- Gluten-free pasta
- Potatoes
- Tortilla chips
- Thoroughly masticated almonds
- Cooked carrots
- Meat and fish
- Add-ons: olive oil, vinegar, salt (a minuscule amount), basil, oregano, and ginger
That’s. It. Anything else makes me regret eating it later. Garlic? Forget about it. Onions? You jest. Tomatoes? I’d need an intestine transplant.
More and more, looking at some food or even smelling it makes me gag, and the only thing that I can stomach reheated is rice.
Next week, I have a conference in New Orleans for three days, and I’m more than a little concerned about eating (and functioning afterward) while I’m there. Convention attendees might question my sanity if they find me curled up in a food-induced ball of pain in a conference room corner.
Not eating isn’t an option. I’m still starvin’, Marvin! It’ll be torturous to be in NOLA and not eat charbroiled oysters, a muffelatta, or a Lucky Dog.
I miss real culinary delights. I’d move mountains for a slice of lasagna, a gyro with tzatziki, or my mom’s curry chicken salad.
Food shouldn’t make anyone hurt. It’s a basic need and one of earth’s greatest pleasures. And it’s a damn shame that it can make some people feel like knives reside in their innards.
Mrs. Ram's Jams 
9 thoughts on “IBD: The Only Things I Can Eat Without Feeling like Death”
Holly’s mom
Thank you for having the guts to bring this to the attention of those that do not suffer with this monster. I too struggle I just stopped talking about it. In less you are living it nobody I don’t care how close to you they are gets it. I’ve been accused of not taking care of myself. Not eating the right foods. You name it I have heard it all. Maybe if people like you are brave enough to keep sharing your story. Compassion will grow??
I’m thinking of you and I know what a vibrant wonderful woman you are. Don’t give up !
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Mrs. Ram Jam
Thanks! Don’t stop talking about it. Always talk about it. Everybody deserves to eat food that doesn’t hurt.
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Invisibly Me
Oh lovely, I’m so sorry this must be incredibly miserable, not to mention quite tricky to work around when out and about. I’m more limited now in what I can eat because of my stoma and other things (plus I’m more of a picky eater than some) so I can empathise with some of it. Pre-stoma food was even more of a nightmare because so many things hurt and caused problems. Rant and vent because your honesty is what others will identify with, and you have my sympathies with this one. How about ““no gluten is highfalutin without the tootin’?’”
Caz xx
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Mrs. Ram Jam
YOUR RHYME WINS, CAZ! 😂😂😂😂 I ❤️ it! What are some of your go to foods? I tried cantaloupe today—it was a terrible idea.
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Invisibly Me
Well, at least you know – the cantaloupe can go straight to the f*ck-it-bucket! I’ve never tried it myself, not sure I want to 😂
Safe, easy foods I guess are things like crisps (I also need more salt so they’re good, I go for baked ones), mashed potato, jelly, fruit juice lollies, tender chicken without skin, rice, toast, most things beige..!
What’s next on your to-try list? xx
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Mrs. Ram Jam
Ahhhhh beige food—my favorite food group. 😂😂😂 You’ve never tried cantaloupe? This one tasted like candy; I should have known it was too good to be true. Who knows what I’ll try next. I’ll be in New Orleans by Wednesday so I’m sure I’m going to have to eat something that I don’t want to. 🤢
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Invisibly Me
Candy? Ok, I’m in! I’ll add cantaloupe to my grocery list 😆
I’ll keep my fingers crossed you get some reasonable food options, positive thinking and all that..! Have a safe trip! xx
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stevelabours428
Are you a fan of popcorn? I wanted to eat that instead of starchy foods like rice and potatoes to keep my gorgeous figure! 😉
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Mrs. Ram Jam
I ❤️ popcorn, but it wrecks me. Most starches are friend, not foe to me! 😂
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