I am one of those lucky ones that have started to tolerate some of those nasty GOS ect... so I could eat baguettes, croissants and drink cappuccinos to my hearts content (well with lacteeze).
I got through Europe with only one incident (see Turkey below), I did this by bringing my own cereal and making our own dinners. In order for this to work I organised for us to stay in a self contained apartment. In Paris we were able to go to a locate market.. and the produce was fantastic. They have a website which can help you locate local markets which I cannot for the life of me find right now : )
However, this does mean that you will have to factor in making it home in time to make dinner. To make things easier for you make sure you have kitchen utensils that will assist in making a quick meal.. keeping in mind that those kitchens are going to be tiny and rarely have a microwave (also many places that have microwaves rarely had microwave safe dishes so be careful and perhaps pop something in your bag if your really worried.)
Through Turkey, my most feared destination, I got around allot of my issues by being very careful of what I ingested, never mind whats on your plate! I just pushed aside what I couldn't eat and hoped for the best. It makes for plain eating but, it will get you through. I ate allot of plain meals, but it was better than the alternative. I did get stung with honey once though. And whilst trying not to 'pop' on the tour bus I was really regretting that choice. Its really not worth it... unless your there for the food... then go for it.. just be prepared for the consequences!
I also took some crackers from home that I knew I could eat if there was no suitable lunch option. For me these are the large sandwich size vitabrits. They will fill you up, but of course if you have issues with wheat.. not a great idea. I found they travelled very well in a glad bag and they came in handy . ..more than I would have thought. My husband also kept a stash of tiny teddies with him.. just in case he got peckish. Its weird to take something foreign into another country... but its well worth it if you have issues.
I found Spain and Italy had Lactose free milk in their supermarkets.. however, in Barcelona I found two supermarkets right next to each other.. one with lactose free milk, the other without... imagine which one I found first : (
Health food stores are around, but don't expect the variety you have at home unless you have some feedback first. I long trek to a health food store with the promise of lactose free milk had me hauling oat milk all the way home.. tasty yes. But not with coffee!!
An incredible trip, amazing food... you just have to be careful, and never tell yourself I will be alright, its not a good time to test these things ; )
Goodluck ox
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
When is it too much of a good thing?
I would say its too much when your stomach loses its mind and you have to go home in agonizing pain. This happened to me recently... It appears that Bananas' and I, lifelong friends, have gone the way of Jeremy Clarkson and the BBC! With a vengeance.
I had a banana almost every day, it filled me up and was full of goodness.. but it appears that my body just couldn't do it anymore. It also can not do spelt every day, neither can it do anything else daily for lunch. This was a real shock, I have always been one for consistency and with my FODMAP issues it helped.. now I am back at square 1 trying to figure our my body again for the umpteenth time.
On the up side I am tolerating salad again :) Carbohydrates and I still have a shaky relationship, but it turns out the way to move forward is inconsistency.... which has me baffled. I shake up my daily meals.. through breakfast and dinner seem to be ok if I stick with the same, but lunch.. well lunch is a different kettle of fish. One that I have long struggled with. Its rare that I eat without feeling unwell after lunch. but lately.. I have been feeling a little better, light meals. Salad and some crackers/slice of bread.
This is what is getting me through.. salad... I am grateful... but I just wish it would settle... in the hope that my body would settle. It just keeps changing... if yours does to.. just know.. your not alone.
Its not your fault.. your body is just that sensitive!
I had a banana almost every day, it filled me up and was full of goodness.. but it appears that my body just couldn't do it anymore. It also can not do spelt every day, neither can it do anything else daily for lunch. This was a real shock, I have always been one for consistency and with my FODMAP issues it helped.. now I am back at square 1 trying to figure our my body again for the umpteenth time.
On the up side I am tolerating salad again :) Carbohydrates and I still have a shaky relationship, but it turns out the way to move forward is inconsistency.... which has me baffled. I shake up my daily meals.. through breakfast and dinner seem to be ok if I stick with the same, but lunch.. well lunch is a different kettle of fish. One that I have long struggled with. Its rare that I eat without feeling unwell after lunch. but lately.. I have been feeling a little better, light meals. Salad and some crackers/slice of bread.
This is what is getting me through.. salad... I am grateful... but I just wish it would settle... in the hope that my body would settle. It just keeps changing... if yours does to.. just know.. your not alone.
Its not your fault.. your body is just that sensitive!
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Reality
The reality is even when you start to eat normally and be adventurous, for some of us the reality is we will never be able to eat certain foods or type of foods. The damage that got us to our life of FODMAP hell will inevitably lead us to a system that is easily stressed or lets be honest just plain irritable. This reality is frustrating, but its reality. We may never be able to eat fatty foods or lots of fruit.. that's just part and parcel of life.
Throughout this whole journey the focus is on getting better, and getting your body to a place where it can eat as many different varieties of food that you can. So if you get to that end goal and you are still struggling... don't let it get to you.. this is just your body and for better or for worse we have to accept these changes.
And its not easy. I have come out with a very different digestive system then when I started. Its very sensitive and since my ulcer last year (and the ensuing gastritis) somehow I have become lactose intolerant. All just part of the game. Many of us are just sensitive or there has been so much damage that it will never be like it was.. other will have other outsides issues that will continue to influence our digestive balance.
This is life.. in the end its an opportunity to eat better, have a healthier body and in this day and age.. that isn't that bad.
Throughout this whole journey the focus is on getting better, and getting your body to a place where it can eat as many different varieties of food that you can. So if you get to that end goal and you are still struggling... don't let it get to you.. this is just your body and for better or for worse we have to accept these changes.
And its not easy. I have come out with a very different digestive system then when I started. Its very sensitive and since my ulcer last year (and the ensuing gastritis) somehow I have become lactose intolerant. All just part of the game. Many of us are just sensitive or there has been so much damage that it will never be like it was.. other will have other outsides issues that will continue to influence our digestive balance.
This is life.. in the end its an opportunity to eat better, have a healthier body and in this day and age.. that isn't that bad.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Reintroducing onion
Of all the FODMAP foods onion is the one that I am the most.. well fearful of. Its in everything!!! I have also had some really dreadful experiences with it.. i recall one horrible night in Tokyo and a fraught train journey to the airport with a backpack and a suitcase on a rush hour train.. there are no words.
The long day of pain, unending movement of gas through my intestines with raucous intent. I have had worse trips.. before i went on the diet, but this was the first plain ride .... a descent into hell i will call it. I swear the cabin pressure makes it worse!
So its the one i am being the most careful when introducing. I am starting with chips.. they have onion powder in small doses and so far I have had no reactions. Its funny though, I really don't like onion. I used to before all this, but now.. yuck!! I don't get why people put it in everything.
I will work up to real onion, in time, but for now its onion in chips, then onion in stock.. and then... well i am sure something will come up. I have been on the FODMAP diet for over 3 years.. so i guess i should start being brave.
Its hard though, before, when it was bad i got used to the pain. Now.. when it hits it throws me for a sixer. I don't know how i did it before.
The long day of pain, unending movement of gas through my intestines with raucous intent. I have had worse trips.. before i went on the diet, but this was the first plain ride .... a descent into hell i will call it. I swear the cabin pressure makes it worse!
So its the one i am being the most careful when introducing. I am starting with chips.. they have onion powder in small doses and so far I have had no reactions. Its funny though, I really don't like onion. I used to before all this, but now.. yuck!! I don't get why people put it in everything.
I will work up to real onion, in time, but for now its onion in chips, then onion in stock.. and then... well i am sure something will come up. I have been on the FODMAP diet for over 3 years.. so i guess i should start being brave.
Its hard though, before, when it was bad i got used to the pain. Now.. when it hits it throws me for a sixer. I don't know how i did it before.
Monday, August 4, 2014
The friend dilema
I have been on the FODMAP diet for over 4 years now and though I am the one who has done the research and live it day in and out, I still have people tell me what I can and cannot have.
They mean well. Its just that they have taken a small amount of knowledge and have defined your whole body by it.
At least they are not as bad as family who aggressively demand knowledge about your body and take the small information you uncomfortably provide and tell you that you have to have and colonoscopy and endoscopy...I have no idea why people in their 50s are so obsessed with these procedures but they do go on about it. I have been pushed to tears by supposedly "well meaning" relatives as they try to bully me into having expensive procedures whilst informing me that my Dr. and Dietician don't know anything and they, generally someone with not a hint of medical training, do.
Its not easy to have your friends argue with you over basic details of the fodmap diet... you say I cant eat wheat, then your gluten intolerant they say, and no matter what you say to the contrary they will aggressively tell you that because you cant eat wheat or rye you are gluten intolerant... over and over and over again.
What's worse is that you tell them you eat spelt bread and they start lecturing their celiac relatives that spelt bread is gluten free (thank goodness they knew their breads and didn't fall for the terrible advice!)
After so many years I sometimes forget that people don't know about my food issues, but most of the time its right there. Its there because of the rudeness and disgusting behaviour some older people have shown towards my health issues. The exasperation and frustration they have shown when I have said I cannot eat what they have made is inexcusable.
You know there is something wrong with someone when there pride is more important then caring for you... cause if they cared about you they wouldn't want you to be in pain... which makes things SO awkward!!!
Friends are great, family can be great, but when it comes to them and your health issues, whatever they may be, don't take anything for granted or you will go hungry or end up in agony.
They mean well. Its just that they have taken a small amount of knowledge and have defined your whole body by it.
At least they are not as bad as family who aggressively demand knowledge about your body and take the small information you uncomfortably provide and tell you that you have to have and colonoscopy and endoscopy...I have no idea why people in their 50s are so obsessed with these procedures but they do go on about it. I have been pushed to tears by supposedly "well meaning" relatives as they try to bully me into having expensive procedures whilst informing me that my Dr. and Dietician don't know anything and they, generally someone with not a hint of medical training, do.
Its not easy to have your friends argue with you over basic details of the fodmap diet... you say I cant eat wheat, then your gluten intolerant they say, and no matter what you say to the contrary they will aggressively tell you that because you cant eat wheat or rye you are gluten intolerant... over and over and over again.
What's worse is that you tell them you eat spelt bread and they start lecturing their celiac relatives that spelt bread is gluten free (thank goodness they knew their breads and didn't fall for the terrible advice!)
After so many years I sometimes forget that people don't know about my food issues, but most of the time its right there. Its there because of the rudeness and disgusting behaviour some older people have shown towards my health issues. The exasperation and frustration they have shown when I have said I cannot eat what they have made is inexcusable.
You know there is something wrong with someone when there pride is more important then caring for you... cause if they cared about you they wouldn't want you to be in pain... which makes things SO awkward!!!
Friends are great, family can be great, but when it comes to them and your health issues, whatever they may be, don't take anything for granted or you will go hungry or end up in agony.
Reintroducing foods
When you get to that great place where the symptoms start to abate its time to start considering when you want to reintroduce certain foods. Some foods will always result in a negative reaction, but its important.. if your willing.. to try to introduce some of the foods that once sent you into agony.
My first real step was by accident. I had a quinoa salad at a restaurant and as I took my third bite it finally twigged, there was apple in it. I hadn't had it in so long I it took me a while to pick it.
I hadn't had any other fruit that day so I gave it a go and fours hours later (when I knew I would be home) I was still fine. I was careful that day to make sure that I didn't have any other fodmap foods and took extra care to chew everything well (something I struggle with).
Other foods, such as wheat, can still be a bit sketchy if I have to much of it and I have really gone off really processed foods because of all the Gluten free food I ate for years. But its been good to try. It makes life that little bit easier when I am dining out.
I am still not brave enough to try onion, but I have started eating foods that may have some onion powder ect, but only in small amounts.
Reintroducing foods can bring up new and unexpected issues; like your now a little bit gluten intolerant or gluten free foods turn your stomach. Some foods may never be able to be introduced or even though you can eat something, such as garlic, it gives you slight indigestion but then goes down smoothly.
When something gets taken out of the mix, when you reintroduce it, your body may engage with it differently.
Given that you may have some bizarre reaction, I would recommend that you make sure that you are going to be home if any negative side effects raise their head, and if it does go well, don't gorge!
Just because it went well the first time doesn't mean your free to eat it everyday. Take it easy and let your body get used to it.
I hope this is helpful
Good luck :)
My first real step was by accident. I had a quinoa salad at a restaurant and as I took my third bite it finally twigged, there was apple in it. I hadn't had it in so long I it took me a while to pick it.
I hadn't had any other fruit that day so I gave it a go and fours hours later (when I knew I would be home) I was still fine. I was careful that day to make sure that I didn't have any other fodmap foods and took extra care to chew everything well (something I struggle with).
Other foods, such as wheat, can still be a bit sketchy if I have to much of it and I have really gone off really processed foods because of all the Gluten free food I ate for years. But its been good to try. It makes life that little bit easier when I am dining out.
I am still not brave enough to try onion, but I have started eating foods that may have some onion powder ect, but only in small amounts.
Reintroducing foods can bring up new and unexpected issues; like your now a little bit gluten intolerant or gluten free foods turn your stomach. Some foods may never be able to be introduced or even though you can eat something, such as garlic, it gives you slight indigestion but then goes down smoothly.
When something gets taken out of the mix, when you reintroduce it, your body may engage with it differently.
Given that you may have some bizarre reaction, I would recommend that you make sure that you are going to be home if any negative side effects raise their head, and if it does go well, don't gorge!
Just because it went well the first time doesn't mean your free to eat it everyday. Take it easy and let your body get used to it.
I hope this is helpful
Good luck :)
Monday, July 21, 2014
Pumpkin .. too much of a good thing
The Monash University FODMAP list tells me that I can eat Kent/Japanese pumpkin with impunity... but when eating my beautiful homemade pumpkin soup for a few days I find myself doubled over with pain I cant help but think that perhaps there is a catch with this one.
My FODMAP app tells me that 1/2 a cup should be alright... so ... which is right? Does it even matter because no matter what I am told, pumpkin and I appear to have a limit which much be maintained so I don't end up in hell.
And it is hell now. I used to endure the pain of gas pushing everywhere all day long. Now when I have a flare up I cannot imagine how I once endured this for long periods of time. Its strange what we can get used to.. and very telling as to the person we are : )
My FODMAP app tells me that 1/2 a cup should be alright... so ... which is right? Does it even matter because no matter what I am told, pumpkin and I appear to have a limit which much be maintained so I don't end up in hell.
And it is hell now. I used to endure the pain of gas pushing everywhere all day long. Now when I have a flare up I cannot imagine how I once endured this for long periods of time. Its strange what we can get used to.. and very telling as to the person we are : )
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