I just want a little sugar...

A healthy diet for Crohn's can be immensely complex. I would say that I'm knowledgeable when it come to eating the right foods. However, when you're struggling to stay in remission, all your knowledge gets thrown out the window.
Just because certain foods are healthy, does not mean that it won't upset your stomach. I can easily determine the foods that are known to cause bloating and gas. I know I will blow up if I eat a plateful of steamed broccoli. On the flip-side, broccoli is good for you. It's bizarre that nutritious vegetables can cause problems for people with IBD. Now that I have Crohn's almost all of my food intake has to be evaluated. I know that everyone reacts differently to foods. However, there are certain foods that are on the "eat with caution" list - which generally applies to most Crohn's patients. I do my best to stay away from dairy, raw vegetables, gluten and high fat foods. The only dairy I will allow myself is yogurt. This is the only dairy product that doesn't cause me pain. I can have other dairy products here and there, but not in excess or large portions in one sitting. Also, I know I'm taking a risk. If I have gluten, I know I need to balance the rest of my meals for the day. Before I had Crohn's I ate bread products for almost every meal. Gluten is in everything!
For six months I have been experimenting with my diet. I'm still on my way to remission. So I know that certain foods will affect my stomach. For a short period I was in denial about my disease. It still happens from time to time. I thought I could handle a nibble of dessert after dinner. I have such a sweet tooth. I should have known that I can't just have a nibble. I was off to CVS to buy packs of marshmallow Peeps. I don't think I can emphasize the operative word: packs. I convinced myself that it was OK, because it's almost Easter. Eating Peeps is festive, everyone knows that. I told myself that I was allowed one Peep a night - obviously it never happened that way. After scarfing one row of Peeps, I would go to bed bloated and in pain. I knew I was eating too much of the wrong things. I didn't need a doctor or nutritionist to tell me what caused the nightly pain and bloating. I had to take a step back and evaluate my diet.
My main concern is my future with Crohn's. I know that diet won't determine if I have a surgery down the road. But I do know that it can decrease my pain and keep me nourished. Having chronic diarrhea is another way to easily lose all your nutrients. I have to drink more than the suggested amount, because every morning I have diarrhea. I'm not just talking once...or twice...
What I'd really like is donuts for breakfast, pizza for lunch, and a bean burrito with cheese for dinner. I would love to have dessert every night. Whether it be Peeps or a bowl of sugar cereal. I need to face my reality. Maybe now I will really appreciate having sweets once a month. I supposed going without lots of sugar and cheese is a positive change. My body is already attacking my colon. That should be enough in itself to eat healthy and stay away from toxic, processed food! I need to give it all the proper nutrients. I'm the only one that is in control.
For now I will dream of a world of Peeps....