Hello world
So sorry Riva that you thought I was around..this forum is pretty quiet and I didn't actually think anyone would read my ramblings!
Yes coming up to 6 months on starch solution now.
It has been great for my heartburn but took a long time, several months to really feel the result.
I have to say I really don't cheat, probably only 5 glasses of wine over 5 months.
I have not eaten ANY dairy or animal products and not added any oil to food in that time.
Other than chocolate, cocoa, raw nuts, puffed rice and other dry crackers, and wine, I can't really be sure that any one food aggravates the HB.
Because sometimes I *think* one food has caused it but then I eat it again with no effects. I don't eat citrus because I don't like it.
I continued on anyway although I was discouraged at first not to see rapid relief, because of the wonderful 'side effects':
- loads of energy and some days an inexplicable feeling of great happiness and gratitude
- weight loss 15 pounds which stopped around a month ago, I'm happy at BMI 22.5
- being able to eat and be satisfied without thinking about counting calories, ever!
- end of constipation (never knew dairy products could be behind that, because I always ate loads of veg)
- big reduction in rosacea which is an 'acne-like' redness with little bumps that I have in patches on my cheeks
I take NO medications at all now and have not since the hell I went through when I went off the ppi 5 months or so ago.
Even though I only took them for a short time. So if you've been on them for an extended time I imagine it might be worse.
I read about people on the 10 day program who stopped ppis and heartburn was gone in days..hard to believe but anyhow was not the case for me. I have salt in veg stock, and sugar *only occasionally* if I make muffins or cake but I prefer dates to sugar mostly.
I am lucky that I can have a lifestyle where I pretty much never eat out.
That would be difficult and up eating non compliant food if I was trapped in a family food occasion as I don't like making a fuss about food with other people.
Typical day
breakfast
- HUGE bowl of pressure cooked whole oat groats with a handful of raisins added after cooking (they expand in the heat). I cook 1.5 cups in 8 cups water and it produces a giant pot which I refrigerate and eat over about 5 days. I eat this every single day with half cup frozen blueberries on top and a tablespoon of flax seeds (soaked in a little hot water first to expand).
It's my favourite meal of the day!
I really look forward to it, funny as it sounds
lunch
- vegetable soup of all sorts ( any and all combinations of green veg, lentils, potato, sweet potato, leek, potato, onion, veg stock) sometimes with home made bread but I am starting to suspect gluten so I don't eat much of that, nice as it is..I also make wraps with spread of hummus always a grated carrot and loads of other veg or salad in the fridge, and Jeff Novick's bean burgers. Some avocado also maybe 2 x per month. If I had to eat out I'd choose veg sushi.
I can eat raw things now.
dinner
Could be veg lasagna with cashew sauce if a special occasion. Pasta with beans, pasta with other veg sauces.
Brown rice with lentils, chickpeas or other legumes with Indian style seasoning eg chana masala.
Rice, mexican bean chili with corn, oil free oven fries and greens is my favourite of all dinners. I could eat this every day but restrict to 2x week for husband's sake.
We always have a big serve of green veg.
If I have dessert it's generally frozen banana whipped in the food processor with vanilla and a little soy to get it going.
Sometimes with a tiny sprinkle of peanuts (like, 1 teaspoon) as I am a bit wary of nuts. Also sometimes one of Mary McDougall's desserts or something from the low fat vegan bloggers like
http://www.feastingonfruit.com as long as not chocolate.
I do eat tomato in food and even sriracha on beans sometimes. Chili used to be the worst thing for me but now it seems to be OK.
Maybe I should try a strict no tomato period to see if it really is a problem.. but so far I think I'd miss it too much.
I also have a picky husband to consider, who likes food tasty and varied although I am so lucky that he is happy to eat vegan (if I cook that is!)
Regarding the heartburn now, I do still get it but it's generally like a little 'reminder' and then is gone in a minute or two.
If it lasts any longer I have a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and it helps immediately, better than any med.
Lately I have been having 2-3 days straight with no symptoms at all which is heaven, it's only when I feel it again that I realise that it was gone for so long!
That's enough long ramble for now, hope it answers some questions Riva and that you are doing good!!