Hey, everyone. Haven't been around much; still too much stress and not enough time in each day; sorry. Hope you all are doing well!
Looking for a bit of help from those who are "permanently" on a low-residue diet. I'm still needing to maintain that after my pouch advancement last summer. Things are very slowly getting better, but I am still fighting a lot of incontinence and BB, not to mention gas and partial blockages. Hence the continuing low-residue diet. My surgeon has informed me that I will probably be on a slightly modified lr diet for the rest of my life.
But here's the deal: I hate it. I mean, I really really really really REALLY HATE IT!
In my previous life, I was the person who would eat anything, and I do mean anything. I traveled a lot and always tried the local specialties. I like good food. I like fresh veg and fruit; I like spice. I love a good, hefty, grainy bread. I am in dietary hell now. I won't list everything I hate about a low-residue diet because it would be, pretty much, everything.
I know, I know. I'm lucky to be alive and I have not more fistula or internal infections, and that's a good thing. But it has gotten to the point that I wake up every morning depressed by the fact that I have to eat such nasty food all day long. This is not a good way to start the day!
So. I'm looking for tips from others; what do you eat? Is there anything I can do to make things tastier besides adding salt or sugar? What are your go-to snacks?
And please keep in mind that when I say "low-residue diet" I am referring to the super-strict version: white breads/pastas only (not even oatmeal!), no onions (etc.), NO fresh fruit/veg at all except bananas and a very small amount of overripe melon, no lentils, etc. Can only manage one very small serving of veg/fruit juice a day, so juicing is not an option.
If anyone has any ideas or tips, I'd be eternally grateful.
Thanks for putting up with my whining,
Gin