Skip to main content

Hi everyone-

It's been ages since I have been on this forum but I have been having quite a struggle lately.  I have had a j-pouch for 18 years and had a lot of ups and downs ie. lots of pouchitis and I think cuffitis(?) -- I have a pretty high maintenance pouch. I try to take good care of myself and a big part of that is my diet. I wanted to get some advice if anyone has any on the topic of a vegan diet.  I am transitioning to full vegan from being mostly vegetarian and gluten free for about 4 years.  I have been eating more raw foods and a lot more beans which has been causing me big troubles which I am sure comes as no surprise to most people with j-pouches.  So that being said, are there any good ways to slow things down and prevent gas?  This is crazy!! I am going to the bathroom like all night and I am getting a pretty sore bum.  I am really frustrated because I think being vegan could be a really good way to be healthier and keep my immune system in check.  I don't know, I am really discouraged and would really appreciate any advice from vegans or just people who have dealt with gas and frequency from lots of fiber.  

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I agree with what Scott F said and have another comment.  Since I have been on a low iodine diet since August 31 (in preparation to receiving radioactive iodine to threat thyroid cancer, not by choice), I have been eating LOTS of fruits and vegetables (except spinach and broccoli which are frowned upon as having a bit too much iodine).  So of course I started wondering about from where exactly a Vegan would get an adequate supply of iodine, especially since the really iodine rich foods, like seafood and eggs and dairy, are not allowed.  And I think the short answer is spinach, broccoli, all soy products, beans, and sea salt or iodized salt.  Be mindful of that if you do decide to pursue Veganism.  I don't know that if it's the best diet for your J Pouch, however.  That is sort of a trial and error process.

Good luck with going vegan. I know some here have done so successfully, but I imagine that just like any drastic dietary change, you are better off doing it gradually so that your gut has time to adapt. While we are omnivores genetically, animal protein is the easiest way to get our essential amino acids without all the gut discomfort. Beano may or may not help you in the gas department. It is worth a try. If a high carb diet is causing bacterial overgrowth and gas, you may need antibiotics to keep it in check. Remember, without your colon and ileocecal valve, there is nothing to prevent bacteria from migrating upstream from the pouch.

 

Another tricky issue is vitamin B-12, which is only available from animal sources (there are a few vegan supplements, but I don't know how biovailable they are). We can tend to become deficient in B-12 if we had any terminal ileum resected or if we have any chronic pouchitis. We store 3-7 years of B-12, so it can sneak up on years post op. I finally became deficient 19 years post op. Maybe it was age related. Maybe due to more chronic pouchitis. Maybe because I eat less meat now. Anyway, I have to take a supplement now.

 

Ovo-lacto vegetarian is another story, since you can get plenty of animal nutrients from dairy products. As far as iodine goes, as long as you use iodized salt, you are fine. 

 

As was mentioned before, going vegan is not necessarily a "healthy" thing for us. It is fine to try it out, but do not feel like you are a failure if you have to adapt the diet plan to meet your individual needs.

 

Jan

 

 

I really appreciate the feedback thanks! Jan-that was really good info about the physiology of the gut and I do get  B12 shots as needed and take a supplement.   

 

I checked into Beano and it contains fish and wheat on one site's ingredients list. (New Zealand) (First and foremost I am gluten free and have been for 4 years).  Another site said it was Gluten free,(US) all are the same product so that was confusing.

 

I also eat no dairy either as it is hard for me to digest, I am not technically Lactose intolerant but it is best for me to avoid it.

 

I did find out that fennel and activated charcoal are helpful so I am going to try that, and there was a post here on J-Pouch  a while back about someone who had great success with Chlororphyll. Anyone out there doing this treatment?

 

The main reason I am making the change is hopefully it will help my immune system, I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis and feel tired and sick a lot.   It's like anything with having a pouch, as I have had mine a long time and you do have to baby it sometimes so that's what I am doing, but I hope to gradually incorporate more fiber in time.

Sounds like you are on the right track. Maybe trying different legumes will give you different results, such as lentils. Perhaps it is the quantity. I eat a lot of homemade soups with added beans, but it is mostly broth, not beans. 

 

If you haven't read this article yet (and the other link in the article about vegan diet and arthritis), it is worth a look.

http://www.arthritis.org/livin...e-arthritis-diet.php

 

Jan

Hi, Samantha,

You mentioned you also have RA, so if you haven't already, you may want to try avoiding nightshades-- tomato, potato, eggplant, paprika, peppers etc.  It's suppose to help with autoimmune conditions. Have you looked at this website by Sarah Ballantyne, PhD:

http://www.thepaleomom.com/201...are-nightshades.html

She also wrote a couple great books. 

 

As for veganism, well, I'm a meat eater, but I only eat organic, grass fed/ free range, antibiotic and hormone-free meats. I'm not convinced that veganism helps with autoimmunity.  Bone broth, for example, is super nutritious.

http://www.thepaleomom.com/201...s-of-bone-broth.html

 

Good luck and please let us know how you are doing!

 

Hi CT,

 

I actually have been basically vegetarian, (very little meat, eggs and cheese were a big part of my diet) and am transitioning to vegan. Plus being gluten free for 4 years has been really good for me, I have seen a lot of positive changes. I have done a ton of research and actually there are many benefits of a vegan diet that I am interested for both my husband and me.  I was not in any way suggesting to anyone on this board to switch to a vegan diet. (Please have a look at my original post.)  I have already gotten some results with the problems I was having related to the additional fiber in my diet and am feeling much better.  I hope my input and questions are still welcome on this board, I sort of feel a bit dismissed by your reply.

Originally Posted by NanJ:

Hi, Samantha,

You mentioned you also have RA, so if you haven't already, you may want to try avoiding nightshades-- tomato, potato, eggplant, paprika, peppers etc.  It's suppose to help with autoimmune conditions. Have you looked at this website by Sarah Ballantyne, PhD:

http://www.thepaleomom.com/201...are-nightshades.html

She also wrote a couple great books. 

 

As for veganism, well, I'm a meat eater, but I only eat organic, grass fed/ free range, antibiotic and hormone-free meats. I'm not convinced that veganism helps with autoimmunity.  Bone broth, for example, is super nutritious.

http://www.thepaleomom.com/201...s-of-bone-broth.html

 

Good luck and please let us know how you are doing

 

Hi NanJ,

 

 I have seen the research on nightshades and RA. It's a bit disappointing and I will try eliminating them but I want to do one thing at a time so I know what works.  I have done so many things over the past 18 years to keep my pouch healthy and working well. I usually try each new therapy, if you will for a month exclusively and see if it works/helps.  That will be a good thing to try. I am happy that I am not antibiotic dependent.  I only take them maybe once a year if say the flu causes a full blown flare up.

 

As far as Paleo, I have heard lots of good things about it but frankly I find meat rather hard to digest, but the no sugar aspect is really good and I do adhere to that and find it to help a lot.

 

I appreciate your feedback and your good wishes.  Thanks!

 

 

 

 

I'm curious about this too. I have UC, but still have my colon. My UC is well controlled, but I seem to be heading down the ecancer road, so I am going to have to have a j-pouch in the near future anyways.  I've been vegan for 4-5 years and vegetarian for 12. I'm Hoping that because the rest of my body already tolerates my vegan diet well, I'll be ok with the pouch. At this point, I honestly couldn't eat meat, so if I can't tolerate veggies and beans with a j-pouch, I don't know what I will do.  

hi

I recently changed to vegan.. without realising it! I was completely miserable, with diarrhea etc and was waiting for surgery (technically I am still am as I never cancelled). The steatorrea was really bad. Because I had SIBO kept using the Paleo regime to see could I get relief. But no luck.... So came across article on goop and started taking celery juice first thing in the morning and basically started a vegan diet. I am amazed at the results! Maybe it is just the high fat content dairy and meat but it has worked wonders. I am going to try some cookery workshops so to get more ideas. But have Rosanna Davison's book Eat Yourself Beautiful and will order Deliciously Ella's books also.

Wish I had know this sooner x

@dino--so glad to see vegans here!  I am really sorry to hear about your cancer. Having a j-pouch has been a challenge at times because I just wanted to eat whatever I wanted!  Well that's not the case and I am really working hard at this and the results are phenomenal.  As far as the pouch goes I had a rough time at first but did beano, activated charcoal, a supplement with fennel and other gas prevention things in it.  Then I got a cold press juicer and have that everyday first thing, (two glasses).  That is what really I think helped me turn the corner.  Now I eat whatever I want and even spicy, within reason for the first time since I got my pouch in 1998.  I have been vegan for about 5 months and gluten free for 3+ years.  It's tricky but  I have adjusted and luckily my husband is a saint and follows suit with whatever diet changes I make.  This is the best I have felt in my entire life.  Everyone is different but it is really working for me. Please feel free to PM me when things become imminent with the pouch surgery and I will be happy to support you anyway I can.

@winter wish-- that is so great!  I think my juicing was the key too. I live and die by Youtube videos for cooking and also vegan gluten free blogs.  It is actually fun creating things like nacho cheese with cashews and cauliflower.  If you are interested in my favorite channels or blogs let me know.

No way would I go on a full vegan diet, life is tough enough on a non vegan diet.  I already know from plenty of experience, maybe I can eat a little lettuce once in awhile but I don't want to get much deeper than that.   I spend more time than I care for in the restroom.  The last thing I need to do is make things any worse.  I can still eat healthy minus the vegetables.  

Not to get onto the 'is it good for me or not' question...here are some tricks that they use here to control the gas that is directly linked to beans and peas etc.

My adopted mother and in-laws taught me to soak my dried chick peas and beans in a large volumn of water (about 5xs the quantity of beans) and add a couple of tablespoonfuls of baking soda to it...Stirr and let sit over night...the next day rince very well before cooking.

That is usually the best way to avoid the gas related to them.

If not, then add a tablespoon of baking soda to the cooking water or other veggies (it keeps their colour fresh too!)...

Trick 3 is lemon juice added to most legumes.

Never mix them with other carbs like potatoes or rice...that is just asking for it all to turn into rocket fuel!

Hope that it helps

Sharon

Add Reply

Post
Copyright © 2019 The J-Pouch Group. All rights reserved.
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×