Gastritis Support Group
Gastritis is a medical term for inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It means that white blood cells move into the wall of the stomach as a response to some type of injury. Gastritis has many underlying causes, from infection with the bacterium H. pylori, bile reflux, or excessive consumption of alcohol or certain foods or drugs like aspirin.
So I'm doing okay with my gastritis, no better no worse. I am eating more foods, albiet it's mostly vegetables and baby foods. The only fattening foods I can eat is corn dogs, bologna and swiss cheese. And, strangely, cookies and cupcakes don't bother me! (but I try to rarely eat them)
The other day I was tempted by my brother accidentally ordering Taco Bell for dinner (I was out of the house at the time, he assumed I ate while I was out). I wasn't tempted UNTIL I saw one of those Doritos tacos. I gave in and ate one, attempting to "play it safe" by picking out the yellow cheese.
I did manage to keep it down, and the wait was worth it. However, since then I have this mild tension in the side of my stomach. It's bearable and liveable, but since then I've been trying to eat foods I know I can eat, even cutting out cookies and cupcakes.
Unfortunately, my mother is going through college classes and I think she's unknowingly letting her stress out on me by calling my diet into question. She bought Popeye's chicken tonight, and I KNOW that I can't have those spicy foods! But she replied with "If you can eat tacos, you can eat chicken." And later I bought gluten free vanilla wafers, just bought gluten free because I thought it'd be kinder on my body than regular. Then she gave me this third degree asking "Why did you buy gluten free? You can eat vanilla wafers. If you can eat animal crackers you can eat regular wafers." I tried to explain to her that I thought the gluten free may be a safer bet since this is my first vanilla wafers in months, then she replied "You don't have to be so offensive about it."
I understand my mother is under a lot of pressure in college, I've been there. But I'm doing so good since the gastritis stopped and I'm trying my best to stop any and all attacks that may come. How do I try to calmly explain to her, without sounding "offensive," that I'm just trying to play it safe after jumping the gun over a taco?
The other day I was tempted by my brother accidentally ordering Taco Bell for dinner (I was out of the house at the time, he assumed I ate while I was out). I wasn't tempted UNTIL I saw one of those Doritos tacos. I gave in and ate one, attempting to "play it safe" by picking out the yellow cheese.
I did manage to keep it down, and the wait was worth it. However, since then I have this mild tension in the side of my stomach. It's bearable and liveable, but since then I've been trying to eat foods I know I can eat, even cutting out cookies and cupcakes.
Unfortunately, my mother is going through college classes and I think she's unknowingly letting her stress out on me by calling my diet into question. She bought Popeye's chicken tonight, and I KNOW that I can't have those spicy foods! But she replied with "If you can eat tacos, you can eat chicken." And later I bought gluten free vanilla wafers, just bought gluten free because I thought it'd be kinder on my body than regular. Then she gave me this third degree asking "Why did you buy gluten free? You can eat vanilla wafers. If you can eat animal crackers you can eat regular wafers." I tried to explain to her that I thought the gluten free may be a safer bet since this is my first vanilla wafers in months, then she replied "You don't have to be so offensive about it."
I understand my mother is under a lot of pressure in college, I've been there. But I'm doing so good since the gastritis stopped and I'm trying my best to stop any and all attacks that may come. How do I try to calmly explain to her, without sounding "offensive," that I'm just trying to play it safe after jumping the gun over a taco?
I guess I would say just try to stay calm and explain things the best you can. Maybe you could direct her to some online sites that explain what we 'can' and 'can't' handle,food-wise, with our gastritis diet.
It has to be frustrating. I hear ya, and you have my sympathy. Hope she will understand.
You are not offending your mother if you say no. And you do need to eat, bottom line. Next time, kindly remind her that while you appreciate her insight, everyone is different in what they can and can't eat and your appreciate her concern. However this battle is difficult and in the end, you ARE the one who has to suffer the consequences- thus, you need to be the one deciding what goes in your mouth and what does not. No one else can have that power because if they do make even a slightly bad decision, it can land you in a lot of pain and prolong your healing. End of story. If she gives you any hub after that, do what most kids do best- kindly walk away. She will butt out eventually and if not, drag her to the doctor with you and let them explain it.
so, low sugar, spice and fat, eh? good to know! what about gluten and dairy? cause sometimes breads and grains bother me, and yellow cheese I can't eat for some reason
it sounds like if I play my cards just right, I can bring back burgers and steak as a sometimes food. I hope so, I LOVE steak! :D
As for dairy and gluten, they vary from person to person. Dairy didn't sit as well for me during gastritis as it did before, so I would stay away from the yellow cheese for a bit. It may have something in it that you are sensitive to right now. If the gluten makes you feel better to avoid, keep it up. Just make sure you get fiber from some where, to keep your lower GI balanced. Stay well and don't worry. It is confusing at first for everyone and usually for a long-time after too. You are doing really great. Keep it up and remember, one day at a time.
http://www.dietary-fiber.info/
Please don't take fibre supplements as they can cause more problems, particularly if you don't drink a lot of water.
I know it very tempting to just "eat normally", but you could be paying for it for days... for me it's just not worth it. Keep the eating simple.... back to basics.... I recently read that you should be drinking your food (ie chewing it 40 times so that it literally turns to liquid).
My mother (thankfully who is very very far away) also keeps on at me to put on weight, and wonders if I'm eating a greater variety of food... but I simply say that no I'm happy with my weight (which I am, I've wanted to be this weight all my life!!) - I'm healthy, I don't get the flu etc, and that I am quite happy to eat my bland diet as it's doing me good.... she really does mean well and is obviously very concerned, and I often just send her an email to the effect that she needn't worry, as long as my tummy is full, my weight remains constant and I'm pain-free - then things are good - the stomach lining will take ages to heal and I just need to take it easy and one day at a time. When we're face to face things can get a bit tense, so I find an email works wonders as she can read and re-read it she has to. I know you live iin the same house (and you may think this is silly)... but this could work for you too as you can explain it really well without getting upset.
Be kind to your stomach and you will see the benefits.
bananas have fiber?? I guess I gotta start buying bananas again. maybe I'll buy the freeze dried banana chips, or those choco bananas I like so much- oh, right, sugar
Flaxseed (ground) is another good source. You can add it to anything and it is all natural. Natural fiber is always best. If you need any more help, just let me know.
http://www.healthcastle.com/fiber-solubleinsoluble.shtml