Bland Diet

I've heard that some people's diverticulitis is caused by the H. Pylori virus. My dad has suffered from diverticulitis for most of his adult life. A couple years ago, his new doctor (from India), discovered he had H. Pylori. My dad went through treatment, and while his diverticulitis isn't totally gone, it is much, much better.

Some people are also allergic and/or have food intolerances--which I think is what your husband's doctor is trying to find out through having him do a bland diet (also, the bland diet will help heal his inflammed bowel). However, if he has Celiac disease and/or Gluten Intolerance, avoiding grains is good, but more importantly, it's the type of grains he's avoiding that make a difference (gluten/Celiac shouldn't have wheat (farro, semolina, durum, spelt, einkorn or any other type of "ancient" wheat grain), rye, or barley).

Before opting for surgery, I would seriously look into other treatment modalities. I strongly believe many things can be healed without resorting to surgery--if you find the "right" doctor who can help you.

I am at a loss as to why the doctor would state no veges. The fruit--acidic fruit I would stay away from, unless he's concerned about fruit causing diarrhea. Maybe the veges are too much for his damaged colon to digest? Then what is your husband getting for fiber? Is he taking extra fiber so that his colon stays healthy?

I am a BIG proponent of alternative healthcare. I didn't have any luck with my health problems in the allopathic community; I had to go alternative before I found help and answers to my health woes. I would suggest your husband go to see a naturopathic doctor and talk to them about his diverticulitis and have them test him for food allergies and intolerances. The naturopathic doctor would also have other ideas as to what might be causing the diverticulitis.

It is a known idea in the alternative healthcare community that a huge part of colon problems has to do with the food we eat (organic or processed?), the toxins we take in (heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, pharma drugs), and the overall health state of our bodies (can the body detox and cleanse itself, or is it too full of crud to effectively cleanse?).

I have never been healthier or happier than I am now, four years after I started doctoring with alternative healthcare. I am SO GLAD I made that leap of faith, because I have found the problems for my body dis-eases and have taken steps to correct them.

Good luck to your husband.

You might want to double check to be sure, but I thought some fruits and veggies were ok on a bland diet. This link has a list of what I thought was allowed/not allowed http://www.drpstokes.com/treatment_02.htm#DIET1 Maybe just check to be sure, because there is no need to feed everyone rice and chicken if you could at least mix in some apple sauce or steamed carrots or mushrooms.

Can you find a registered dietician or nutritionist nearby?
They are a great source of information and recipes. It's a little money upfront to consult with them, but could be well worth it to have sources and recipes at your disposal instead of creating your own plan.

How about a compromise on the dinner plans? My husband had to be on a very low sodium diet for 2 months a few years ago. A few days of the week, we all ate the same thing (us eating the low sodium foods too). But on the other days I cooked other things for us, and his low sodium stuff too. It worked out for all of us.

Herb baked salmon. Try mixing sea salt, fresh garlic, oregano, basil, thyme...
Couscous
pita bread
If I think of anything more exciting I'll let ya know!!!

ETA: Salmon burgers = Seasoned salmon patty, lil bit cheese + burger bun. Rest of family can add toppings put on a typical burger

couscous can be fixed with herbs and served with meat or can be for breakfast w/ cinnamon & honey

I also like to serve breakfast for dinner sometimes. The little veggies your hubby is allowed might taste better in breakfast wrap -scramble eggs with herbs in no stick pan, warm soft cooked veggies, little cheese and put in wrap. Again, the rest of the family can add more toppings.

There is a pretty good book by Calming Blends, you can look the contents over on the website. Good Luck!

http://www.calmingblends.com/recipes.html?gclid=CPzn88usx...

This might sound funny, but it may spice things up a bit....

Have you tried some of the vegan options? There is non-dairy, vegan mayo, cream cheese, sour cream, cheese - even butter. A lot of it is made with olive oil. When I had to go dairy-free, I did a lot of that. Maybe you could add some of the vegan sour cream to mashed potatoes? Do a turkey sandwich with vegan mayo?

I usually get this stuff at PCC, Whole Foods, or Metropolitan Market. You'll have to check the ingredients, but this might be an idea.

I suggest that you'll either all eat a bland diet or you'll add the fresh fruits, veggies for the rest of the family. There is just no way to make a bland diet interesting.

You can cook the basic white/soft food and add sauces for the rest of the family. Give him the rice and chicken which you can cook up a bunch of ahead of time and then fix the lasagna or whatever for the rest of the family. Or, when you make the lasagna, he can have the noodles and the cheese. Take his portion out before you add the sauce.

Being on a bland diet is difficult. I've been on one. But doing so to avoid surgery is a big incentive which should help him limp along even tho the rest of the family is eating normally.

BTW A bland diet can cause diverticulitis in some people. My aunt had IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). She put herself on a bland diet and she ended up with diverticulitis. The normal gut needs some roughage to keep it clean. For your husband, the roughage irritates his already infected gut. So you don't want everyone in the family to eat bland.

Soups - feed him lots of soups/broths.
You can puree most if not all veggies in a soup.
You might have to stay away from beans - ask the doctor.
Mashed sweet potatoes should be ok.
How about well cooked Cream of Wheat, rolled oatmeal or grits?
He can drink fruit juices and you can cook with them too.
Blend bananas and orange juice and ice for a fruit smoothie.

Can he have eggs? You can serve breakfast for dinner and have an omelette or pancakes.

How about some different types of soup? If you make your own you can add whatever you want , like herbs for flavor, and some pasta or rice, and make sure the veggies are cooked very well.