A Writer's Life Interrupted #crohns #ibd #uc

I have been writing my Writer's Life Interrupted for one year now. I try to  keep the blog as accurate as possible and describe what is going in my life as eloquently as I can. With Crohn's disease, that can be a challenge, especially when you are flaring.

Sometimes you have to skip the solid food to get things back in order. A liquid diet is great for resting the digestive system and it helps you get the nutrients you need. Digesting liquids is much better than solids, even if it isn't as tasty.

My liquid diets are great. I have my smoothie maker, lots of fruit--skip the berries--but remember the ice and spinach. This is a great way to get your body into tip top shape. I don't care for the commercial drinks because many times they are loaded with sugar. And if you don't know by now, sugar will feed the bad bacteria in your gut. However, many friends supplement with Ensure and Boost as long as you are not intolerant, which I am. I'll blow up like a beach ball if I drink either one.  Neither contain lactose so it must be something else that disagrees with me.

Trying to find something to relieve the pain of a flare, I invented my own smoothie. I call it the...

Banana Peanut Butter Swirl.

1 large banana
1 tablespoon of peanut butter (organic--no sugar added)
1/2  tray of ice or six cubes
6 oz of apple juice--natural--no sugar added.
1 handful of organic leaf spinach.

Turn that blender on high to create a very tasty treat that has protein, veggies, and fruit, all in one great tasting shake.  Plus it doesn't hurt to digest it.

I have thought of blending meat, but that's as far as it's gone. Somehow, meat in a blender just isn't appetizing.  I've tried soy milk, almond milk, and rice milk, none of them agree with me. *shrugs shoulders* I have no idea why.

As for sugar, not only does it feed the bad bacteria in the gut, it pulls water into your bowels and contributes to diarrhea. I haven't had processed sugar in so long I've forgotten what it tastes like. You can try using plain coconut milk if it agrees with you. Check your ingredients for mannitol, sorbitol, zylitol, and sugar alcohols as they can contribute to feelings of discomfort.  Try to eat as fresh as possible. Throw those canned goods out along with all your processed foods.

I don't digest B12 and D so if I'm flaring my vitamins will need a lift. A good supplement goes a long way. I couldn't figure out why, when this disease first hit, I had panic attacks and depression. Once my vitamin levels were checked and I went on supplements my panic and depression disappeared like magic. Sometimes I get lazy and forget to supplement. A good anxiety attack lets me know when my levels are low. Not that I recommend that, of course.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I ate what I wanted and paid for it later, but somehow NOT eating the dressing seemed more miserable than a bout of pain later.

(((hugs)))

Louann

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