Cereal

[glassd18]

Well I now know Cascadian Purely O's is out. I don't think I can eat oat at all. I seem to have so much trouble with any type of grain. I think even corn flares me. I flare from so many things that I lose track...I'm so frustrated after so many years of living with this disease, and not being able to tolerate much of anything. I'm dreading going to eat anywhere even my families as they do not understand this disease and they known I've had it for so long. Easter time there wasn't one IC friendly food, and I've tried to explain it to them many times. I would bring my own food, but they don't make me feel comfortable about that either. I'm starting to think that I should just show up after the food is done. Anyway I haven't been around here too often lately, and I hope you are all well. Thanks for letting me vent. I think the air flares me...sigh...The stress at work doesn't help I'm sure...

[glassd18]

Oh and can some tell me if there is a brand of Pretzels that are IC friendly. I eat Snyders. Could they be flaring me too?

[dg2901]

Do you have a Trader Joe's, Whole Foods or organic grocers near you? Organic grocers tend to be pricey, however if it helps you to be able to eat then it would be worth it. Trader Joes is very affordable and has a large cereal aisle.

[kadi]

I eat for cereal: Kashi Autumn Wheat, Kashi Cinnamon Harvest, Rice CrunchEms, Gorilla Munch, Trader Joe's Shredded Wheat, Oatios, Erewhon Raisin Bran, Barbara's Shredded Wheat, Trader Joe's Lowfat Granola with Almond. I buy them at the local health food store (most expensive there), Whole Foods (a little less expensive than the local store), Trader Joe's (most affordable), or Safeway Organic cereal section (good prices, but limited selection).

I also eat plain Quaker Oats and have also made homemade granola from that as well.

I hope that helps a little.

[glassd18]

Thank you ladies I shop at Whole Foods all the time. I have not found 1 cereal that doesn't flare me :-( Cascadian Farms Cereal is organic, and is sold at Whole Foods. Here is a link to the product, and ingredient information. Maybe some one can tell me what they think might flare me in this product. I have also tried Gluten Free Rice Crispies made with brown rice, and that too flared me. Actually I think brown rice flares me. As I mentioned above I believe air flares me...sigh...

[ICNDonna]

I did have a look at the contents and there are several things there that could be a problem --- vitamin C for one.

Donna

[123456]

I can eat pretty much any kind of cereal now, but when I was first diagnosed, I could only eat the safe cereals from the whole foods store. I think one is called Puffins and they have that in peanut butter flavor. It's really good, but expensive of course.

[glassd18]

I've tried Puffins too, but the one that had honey, and yep you guessed it flared me...I really have a long can not eat list. It seems to me that I'm much more sensitive to foods than most here. I have trouble with medications too. It's really depressing to not be able to eat hardly anything or take medication to help. I've pretty much almost given up on the diet, and trying new things.

[123456]

Honey shoudn't flare you at all. Have you considered that you are just in a constant flare right now and no foods are going to make you feel instantly better. You have to just eat the safe stuff for a LONG while before introducing anything else. I ate only from the "safe" food list for a year. It took several months to start noticing a difference and that was with medication.

[glassd18]

I've had IC for a long time. When I eat something that flares me my bladder pressure/pain increases, and this is what I use to guage what flares me. Some things flare me very quickly while others take a while longer, but usually pretty quick. Baking soda is what I use to quell my flares, and this works pretty well. I am in constant pain to some degree. I have some not to bad days, and some very bad days. We all react very differently to food. I happen to be one of the very unlucky ones who has extreme sensitivities. I am considering stripping down my diet again back to basics, but I am tired of trying to figure it out. I appreciate everyone's input. Donna are we not allowed to post links here? I thought it was a harmless link...ie...no selling involved...just diet information...

[klite]

I'm sorry to read that you are having so much difficulty with eating. That sucks.

I was wondering if you also have digestive problems, in addition to your IC? The reason I ask is because I know that I was having a lot of problems with constant flaring and it turns out that I am gluten-sensitive too. I cut out all gluten about 8 months ago and I feel loads better. If you feel pressure and bloating every time you have something with gluten in it, maybe that is the culprit too?

Also, I know several people (including my mother) who cannot tolerate honey. It can be a digestive irritant, so if that is in the cereals you have been having, that might explain your discomfort.

The only cereals that I eat are regular Rice Krispies and GF corn pops.

Anyways, just my two cents. I really hope that you can find some relief soon.

[glassd18]

@Klite Thank you for your 2 cents I do have digestive problems, but I have never been diagnosed with gluten sensitivity. When I first started having serious bladder problems my MD thought I had IBS, but that has never been confirmed. I had a Colonoscopy and Endoscopy in November of 2002, and was diagnosed with a small hiatal hernia, GERD (acid reflux), and esophagitis. I need to schedule another appointment to see a Gastroenterologist, and I will talk to the MD about it then, and see what they say. My previous doctor never mentioned it.

Thanks for the heads up about the honey. I know that they put BHT in the packaging of these cereals, and that's a preservative, and an IC no-no, but I'll try regular Rice Krispies and see what happens. You never know I might be Gluten sensitive. I do not know anyone in my family who has gluten sensitivities, but it crossed my mind, and I did some research. Do you eat the IC and gluten free diet?

[klite]

I follow a gluten-free, lactose-free, and IC-safe diet. Needless to say, it took me a while to figure everything out!

Apparently, a lot people are wheat/gluten-sensitive and just don't know it. It is an increasing problem and I think definitely worth you talking to your doctor about. If you cannot tolerate oats, it might because they have been processed with wheat (which contains gluten).

I don't have anyone in my family that is a Celiac or gluten-senstive either, I just figured it out on my own. My mother has tons of trouble with her stomach, and I bet that she shouldn't be eating gluten either (she's cut back but too stubborn to give it up entirely).

Brown rice is really fibrous compared to white rice. If you have digestive problems (like IBS), brown rice is not a great way to go. Especially first thing in the morning! Regular rice krispies are just puffed whole grain white rice, so it should be soothing to your guts.

I *hated* giving up gluten and it was harder to do than just going on the IC-diet BUT I don't regret the change at all. Before, whenever I ate a meal or a snack (that usually had gluten in their somewhere), I always felt bloated after eating. Now, I just feel like I ate ... a normal feeling that I didn't have for at least a decade!