Re: How does your significant other deal with this diet/condition?

[Guest guest]

lunch is always a big decision instead of just making a sandwhich and being done with it, As a practical response, try making this coconut bread - it works really well as sandwich bread. but add less honey if you want it for savory food instead of breakfast like food. http://www.cheeseslave.com/2008/11/26/coconut-flour-bread/then you can just make a sandwich or 2 (it didn't seem to rise that much) and be done with it. I'll let someone else deal with the relationship advice. Mara

[Guest guest]

lunch is always a big decision instead of just making a sandwhich and being done with it, As a practical response, try making this coconut bread - it works really well as sandwich bread. but add less honey if you want it for savory food instead of breakfast like food. http://www.cheeseslave.com/2008/11/26/coconut-flour-bread/then you can just make a sandwich or 2 (it didn't seem to rise that much) and be done with it. I'll let someone else deal with the relationship advice. Mara

[Guest guest]

, this is a tough question. I was already married with a family, and

besides that, I am the family cook, so my husband, who is very traditional, has

almost nothing to do in the kitchen. I still cook what he likes, so as far as

food is concerned, it does not affect him. At some point he will want to travel

and do more things out, but I hope, hope, hope, I can be more flexible with diet

in the future-enough to do that, but I know- it's strict SCD for at least two

years.

He is probably annoyed by my food limitations, but he also depends on me as his

wife and mother to our kids, and running the home. He recalls the time when I

could not even get off the couch, and he had to help out and also work a

demanding job- so the way he sees it, he would rather see me happy, healthy, and

is thrilled that the diet makes me feel better and also keeps the family going

as usual.I know that he cares enough about me to put up with this.

The bigger picture is that you get married for better or worse, and you work it

out regardless. There are many life events that will stress any relationship,

and a change in health is one of them. Still, people with all kinds of

conditions are in relationships, and it's not just with SCD- someone with

diabetes, or severe allergies- all have food limitations. Ramon Prassad is

married, so is Elaine's daughter, so are probably many people on this board who

had IBD when still single.

I think, personally, it will take some talking between the two of you, as to

where things are going. If it's not a serious relationship, and she would rather

go out for fun, then at least be honest. If it's for the long run, then you need

to discuss the commitment honestly. If she can not handle a partner with your

needs, then I hope she can be up front about it.

From what I've seen it's what people bring into a relationship despite their

limitations that makes it good. Is focusing on SCD just easier than her talking

about other concerns?

PJ

-- In BTVC-SCD , T wrote:

>

>

> For those of you who are married, how does your spous deal with you being on

the diet and eating restrictions? Going out to eat? Ect...

>

>

>

> For those of you not married, how does your boyfriend/girlfriend handle it?

>

>

>

> The reason I ask is because my girlfriend recently told me she feels like she

cannot live her life with me on this diet... lunch is always a big decision

instead of just making a sandwhich and being done with it, as well as not being

able to go out to eat with her or if I do it's very limited menu choice. The bar

has also come up as an issue even though i'm ok with just drinking water, she

says it makes her feel bad eating foods I can't have in front of me. I don't

mind it, but I understand where she's coming from.

>

> -

> UC - 1 year

> SCD - 3.5 months 100% strict and 4 months restricted diet.

> Asacol - 4 pills 3 times a day - hopefully scd will help me get off these! No

more Hydrocortisone or Prednisone!

>

>

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.

> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222984/direct/01/

>

[Guest guest]

, this is a tough question. I was already married with a family, and

besides that, I am the family cook, so my husband, who is very traditional, has

almost nothing to do in the kitchen. I still cook what he likes, so as far as

food is concerned, it does not affect him. At some point he will want to travel

and do more things out, but I hope, hope, hope, I can be more flexible with diet

in the future-enough to do that, but I know- it's strict SCD for at least two

years.

He is probably annoyed by my food limitations, but he also depends on me as his

wife and mother to our kids, and running the home. He recalls the time when I

could not even get off the couch, and he had to help out and also work a

demanding job- so the way he sees it, he would rather see me happy, healthy, and

is thrilled that the diet makes me feel better and also keeps the family going

as usual.I know that he cares enough about me to put up with this.

The bigger picture is that you get married for better or worse, and you work it

out regardless. There are many life events that will stress any relationship,

and a change in health is one of them. Still, people with all kinds of

conditions are in relationships, and it's not just with SCD- someone with

diabetes, or severe allergies- all have food limitations. Ramon Prassad is

married, so is Elaine's daughter, so are probably many people on this board who

had IBD when still single.

I think, personally, it will take some talking between the two of you, as to

where things are going. If it's not a serious relationship, and she would rather

go out for fun, then at least be honest. If it's for the long run, then you need

to discuss the commitment honestly. If she can not handle a partner with your

needs, then I hope she can be up front about it.

From what I've seen it's what people bring into a relationship despite their

limitations that makes it good. Is focusing on SCD just easier than her talking

about other concerns?

PJ

-- In BTVC-SCD , T wrote:

>

>

> For those of you who are married, how does your spous deal with you being on

the diet and eating restrictions? Going out to eat? Ect...

>

>

>

> For those of you not married, how does your boyfriend/girlfriend handle it?

>

>

>

> The reason I ask is because my girlfriend recently told me she feels like she

cannot live her life with me on this diet... lunch is always a big decision

instead of just making a sandwhich and being done with it, as well as not being

able to go out to eat with her or if I do it's very limited menu choice. The bar

has also come up as an issue even though i'm ok with just drinking water, she

says it makes her feel bad eating foods I can't have in front of me. I don't

mind it, but I understand where she's coming from.

>

> -

> UC - 1 year

> SCD - 3.5 months 100% strict and 4 months restricted diet.

> Asacol - 4 pills 3 times a day - hopefully scd will help me get off these! No

more Hydrocortisone or Prednisone!

>

>

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.

> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222984/direct/01/

>

[Guest guest]

,I'm new to this group, so this is my first attempt at a response. I hope I do this right!I have been married 21 years and been on the SCD for 7 months. My husband was actually a bit resistant to the diet at first. Quite honestly, my illness and the diet have resulted in quite a bit of loss for both of us. All the things I can no longer do - like eating out and traveling with ease also affect him. I don't think he could wrap his mind around the thought of us being constrained by this diet long term. As he has seen my improvement though, he has really become very supportive. Because he loves me, he wants me to get well. LIke one of the other members advised, you probably need to consider how serious a relationship this is. If she's on board for the long

haul, she will want what's best for you. Perhaps, she, like my husband, needs to grieve what's been lost and then embrace the idea of a healthy future for you.As for going out, I'd be really careful this early on. When my husband and I took a trip at about 4 months on the diet, I ate at a steak house and got really sick. KathyCD 10/08SCD 7 monthsHotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now.

[Guest guest]

My husband doesn’t have a choice. I’m the cook &

the one on SCD. He eats what I make. This is the healthiest he’s been in

his life. And the food is awesome. Only 2 or 3 generations back, everyone ate

like this. Real food, made from scratch. It’s tough to do, no doubt about

it, especially if you have to work full time with a job or kids.

I found out the hard way that convenience food isn’t so

convenient in the long run. So I look at the SCD as ‘slow food’

that has healed my long suffering gut.

Who cooks the meals in your family?

As to relationship, communicate, communicate, communicate.

Remember that we are mirrors for each other. You see yourself “over there”

in your partners eyes and your partner sees herself “over there” in

your eyes.

Don’t forget to create your relationship together. You do

this by talking and planning and setting goals.

As far as going out to a bar, once you have healed I think you

can have the *occasional* alcoholic drink.

Carol

CD 21 yrs SCD 5 yrs

From:

BTVC-SCD [mailto:BTVC-SCD ] On Behalf Of

T

For those of you who are married, how does your

spous deal with you being on the diet and eating restrictions? Going out to

eat? Ect...

For those of you not married, how does your boyfriend/girlfriend handle it?

The reason I ask is because my girlfriend recently told me she feels like she

cannot live her life with me on this diet... lunch is always a big decision

instead of just making a sandwhich and being done with it, as well as not being

able to go out to eat with her or if I do it's very limited menu choice. The

bar has also come up as an issue even though i'm ok with just drinking water,

she says it makes her feel bad eating foods I can't have in front of me. I

don't mind it, but I understand where she's coming from.

-

UC - 1 year

SCD - 3.5 months 100% strict and 4 months restricted diet.

Asacol - 4 pills 3 times a day - hopefully scd will help me get off these! No

more Hydrocortisone or Prednisone!

[Guest guest]

My husband doesn’t have a choice. I’m the cook &

the one on SCD. He eats what I make. This is the healthiest he’s been in

his life. And the food is awesome. Only 2 or 3 generations back, everyone ate

like this. Real food, made from scratch. It’s tough to do, no doubt about

it, especially if you have to work full time with a job or kids.

I found out the hard way that convenience food isn’t so

convenient in the long run. So I look at the SCD as ‘slow food’

that has healed my long suffering gut.

Who cooks the meals in your family?

As to relationship, communicate, communicate, communicate.

Remember that we are mirrors for each other. You see yourself “over there”

in your partners eyes and your partner sees herself “over there” in

your eyes.

Don’t forget to create your relationship together. You do

this by talking and planning and setting goals.

As far as going out to a bar, once you have healed I think you

can have the *occasional* alcoholic drink.

Carol

CD 21 yrs SCD 5 yrs

From:

BTVC-SCD [mailto:BTVC-SCD ] On Behalf Of

T

For those of you who are married, how does your

spous deal with you being on the diet and eating restrictions? Going out to

eat? Ect...

For those of you not married, how does your boyfriend/girlfriend handle it?

The reason I ask is because my girlfriend recently told me she feels like she

cannot live her life with me on this diet... lunch is always a big decision

instead of just making a sandwhich and being done with it, as well as not being

able to go out to eat with her or if I do it's very limited menu choice. The

bar has also come up as an issue even though i'm ok with just drinking water,

she says it makes her feel bad eating foods I can't have in front of me. I

don't mind it, but I understand where she's coming from.

-

UC - 1 year

SCD - 3.5 months 100% strict and 4 months restricted diet.

Asacol - 4 pills 3 times a day - hopefully scd will help me get off these! No

more Hydrocortisone or Prednisone!

[Guest guest]

My husband doesn’t have a choice. I’m the cook &

the one on SCD. He eats what I make. This is the healthiest he’s been in

his life. And the food is awesome. Only 2 or 3 generations back, everyone ate

like this. Real food, made from scratch. It’s tough to do, no doubt about

it, especially if you have to work full time with a job or kids.

I found out the hard way that convenience food isn’t so

convenient in the long run. So I look at the SCD as ‘slow food’

that has healed my long suffering gut.

Who cooks the meals in your family?

As to relationship, communicate, communicate, communicate.

Remember that we are mirrors for each other. You see yourself “over there”

in your partners eyes and your partner sees herself “over there” in

your eyes.

Don’t forget to create your relationship together. You do

this by talking and planning and setting goals.

As far as going out to a bar, once you have healed I think you

can have the *occasional* alcoholic drink.

Carol

CD 21 yrs SCD 5 yrs

From:

BTVC-SCD [mailto:BTVC-SCD ] On Behalf Of

T

For those of you who are married, how does your

spous deal with you being on the diet and eating restrictions? Going out to

eat? Ect...

For those of you not married, how does your boyfriend/girlfriend handle it?

The reason I ask is because my girlfriend recently told me she feels like she

cannot live her life with me on this diet... lunch is always a big decision

instead of just making a sandwhich and being done with it, as well as not being

able to go out to eat with her or if I do it's very limited menu choice. The

bar has also come up as an issue even though i'm ok with just drinking water,

she says it makes her feel bad eating foods I can't have in front of me. I

don't mind it, but I understand where she's coming from.

-

UC - 1 year

SCD - 3.5 months 100% strict and 4 months restricted diet.

Asacol - 4 pills 3 times a day - hopefully scd will help me get off these! No

more Hydrocortisone or Prednisone!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am the spouse and my husband is on SCD. As was stated by another member, whatever I can do to help my husband heal, I will do. I am the cook and the one that follows the threads here. We recently celebrated our 17 anniversary and I will admit it is hard to "celebrate" as we have in the past by going out to eat. However, my husband was fine with fixing him a plate to eat and taking me and the kids out to dinner. It was really nice to get a break from cooking or thinking about what I need to fix next. I don't honestly feel bad that he can't have what we do because, quite frankly, I think he is getting better food! Sure there are limits on SCD, but what is the alternative? When you are further on in the diet, you will be less restricted and can fix quick lunches. Left overs help with lunch a lot!! Heidi, husband CD, SCD 11/08

To: btvc-scd From: scdguy26@...Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:31:00 -0400Subject: How does your significant other deal with this diet/condition?

For those of you who are married, how does your spous deal with you being on the diet and eating restrictions? Going out to eat? Ect... For those of you not married, how does your boyfriend/girlfriend handle it? The reason I ask is because my girlfriend recently told me she feels like she cannot live her life with me on this diet... lunch is always a big decision instead of just making a sandwhich and being done with it, as well as not being able to go out to eat with her or if I do it's very limited menu choice. The bar has also come up as an issue even though i'm ok with just drinking water, she says it makes her feel bad eating foods I can't have in front of me. I don't mind it, but I understand where she's coming from.-UC - 1 yearSCD - 3.5 months 100% strict and 4 months restricted diet.Asacol - 4 pills 3 times a day - hopefully scd will help me get off these! No more Hydrocortisone or Prednisone!

Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now.

found her dream laptop. Find the PC that’s right for you.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am the spouse and my husband is on SCD. As was stated by another member, whatever I can do to help my husband heal, I will do. I am the cook and the one that follows the threads here. We recently celebrated our 17 anniversary and I will admit it is hard to "celebrate" as we have in the past by going out to eat. However, my husband was fine with fixing him a plate to eat and taking me and the kids out to dinner. It was really nice to get a break from cooking or thinking about what I need to fix next. I don't honestly feel bad that he can't have what we do because, quite frankly, I think he is getting better food! Sure there are limits on SCD, but what is the alternative? When you are further on in the diet, you will be less restricted and can fix quick lunches. Left overs help with lunch a lot!! Heidi, husband CD, SCD 11/08

To: btvc-scd From: scdguy26@...Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:31:00 -0400Subject: How does your significant other deal with this diet/condition?

For those of you who are married, how does your spous deal with you being on the diet and eating restrictions? Going out to eat? Ect... For those of you not married, how does your boyfriend/girlfriend handle it? The reason I ask is because my girlfriend recently told me she feels like she cannot live her life with me on this diet... lunch is always a big decision instead of just making a sandwhich and being done with it, as well as not being able to go out to eat with her or if I do it's very limited menu choice. The bar has also come up as an issue even though i'm ok with just drinking water, she says it makes her feel bad eating foods I can't have in front of me. I don't mind it, but I understand where she's coming from.-UC - 1 yearSCD - 3.5 months 100% strict and 4 months restricted diet.Asacol - 4 pills 3 times a day - hopefully scd will help me get off these! No more Hydrocortisone or Prednisone!

Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now.

found her dream laptop. Find the PC that’s right for you.

[Guest guest]

Hey brother.

My wife and I have been married almost two years now, and it's been tough lately

with me being sick. I guess I'm lucky in that she is as committed to this diet

as I am, which is 100%. I'm sorry about your girlfriend not totally

understanding.

One thing I can say is this. It would be easy to for me to preach that it's her

problem, she needs to be a better person, you need someone who loves you for

you, blah blah blah. I just know that for others it is hard to be with someone

who is sick and limited, and it's not fair to us, but we need to acknowledge it

and deal lovingly with it, to ourselves and our loved ones. I have to forgive

my wife if she gets exhausted dealing with me being sick. Nobody's perfect.

As far as dealing with it, I want to encourage you to be creative specifically

to her. Get you a very dry bottle of wine to share with her one night, make

yourself a vodka/club soda with saccharin at the bar, make a special lunch for

her one day as a suprise so she doesn't have to do anything. Those things show

her that she is just as important to you as the diet (which might be the issue

under it all). Hope this helps, trust me, I've been there.

jonathan

[Guest guest]

Hey brother.

My wife and I have been married almost two years now, and it's been tough lately

with me being sick. I guess I'm lucky in that she is as committed to this diet

as I am, which is 100%. I'm sorry about your girlfriend not totally

understanding.

One thing I can say is this. It would be easy to for me to preach that it's her

problem, she needs to be a better person, you need someone who loves you for

you, blah blah blah. I just know that for others it is hard to be with someone

who is sick and limited, and it's not fair to us, but we need to acknowledge it

and deal lovingly with it, to ourselves and our loved ones. I have to forgive

my wife if she gets exhausted dealing with me being sick. Nobody's perfect.

As far as dealing with it, I want to encourage you to be creative specifically

to her. Get you a very dry bottle of wine to share with her one night, make

yourself a vodka/club soda with saccharin at the bar, make a special lunch for

her one day as a suprise so she doesn't have to do anything. Those things show

her that she is just as important to you as the diet (which might be the issue

under it all). Hope this helps, trust me, I've been there.

jonathan

[Guest guest]

,

Luckily the people I have in my life are very tolerant of my diet. I was in a

relationship for 1.5 years and started the diet about one year after we started

dating. It was never an issue. He was there with me through all the pain and

suffering and knew that meds didn't work on me so he was super supportive. Now

that I'm dating again, I tell everyone up front. So far, I haven't dated anyone

seriously, but no one has had a problem with it. I'm sorry you are in this

situation. I hate to say it, but she sounds very selfish. Is the diet helping

you? Has she seen the improvements the diet has made in your life or did she

come after you started? My sister is my SCD advocate. Anyone that didn't know me

before gets and earfull if they try to get me to eat anything outside of my

diet.

AWESOME NO MORE PREDNISONE!!!

I'm sorry I can't give you any advice.

Misty Kimble

CD - no meds

SCD - 20 months

> For those of you not married, how does your boyfriend/girlfriend handle it?

> The reason I ask is because my girlfriend recently told me she feels like she

cannot live her life with me on this diet... lunch is always a big decision

instead of just making a sandwhich and being done with it, as well as not being

able to go out to eat with her or if I do it's very limited menu choice. The bar

has also come up as an issue even though i'm ok with just drinking water, she

says it makes her feel bad eating foods I can't have in front of me. I don't

mind it, but I understand where she's coming from.

>

> -

> UC - 1 year

> SCD - 3.5 months 100% strict and 4 months restricted diet.

> Asacol - 4 pills 3 times a day - hopefully scd will help me get off these! No

more Hydrocortisone or Prednisone!

[Guest guest]

Hi . I've been married for about 24 years. I've always had some food restrictions, starting with lactose intolerance, then allergies to many foods, but I could usually find a few restaurants that offered foods I could eat. Because I also have multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), with particularly strong reactions to fragrances, laundry product residues, and dry cleaning chemicals, I wasn't going out to restaurants very much anyway for the last several years. Instead, we would order take-out from our favourite restaurants, then eat the foods at home, in our safe environment.

Actually, my MCS has probably had a larger impact on our social life. For example I no longer enjoy going to live theatre or movies, because the other people in the audience tend to wear lots of fragrances, and I have to keep my half-face respirator on for the duration of the show. Instead, we rent DVD's of movies, and my husband goes to live theatre shows with other family members.

My husband doesn't have digestive problems, so he can eat anything. At home, he shares in the preparation and consumption of SCD-legal foods, but he also eats SCD-illegal foods as well as foods I am allergic to. I don't mind -- in my view, these aren't foods, since I can't eat them.

Since starting on SCD 1.5 years ago, I have not yet found any restaurants serving foods I can eat. When my husband and I get together with family for meals at their homes, I bring along foods I/we have made, that I can eat. The baked SCD treats are especially popular. When the family goes out to restaurants, I stay home.

For sandwiches, I bake Lois Lang Luscious Bread, using pecan "flour." Are you able to use ground pecans yet? This bread keeps well in the fridge as long as necessary, and tastes better than any bread I have ever purchased. When I take a sandwich along on an outing, I still have the challenge of finding a fragrance-free space where I can remove my respirator, so that I can eat.

Assuming that you don't have MCS, your girlfriend faces a lot fewer restrictions than my husband does. My husband doesn't complain. He is happy about the improvements in my health as a result of SCD, particularly my transition from obesity to a healthy weight.

Hope this helps.

Ellen in Toronto, Canada

T wrote in btvc-scd

Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 12:31 PM

For those of you who are married, how does your spouse deal with you being on the diet and eating restrictions? Going out to eat? Ect...

<snip>

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

I empathize with you AND your girlfriend – ours is not

the easiest way of life for anyone.

My wife has seen me at my very sickest (VERY sick, HOURS

every day in the bathroom, etc.), was supportive of me starting the SCD and has

seen the HUGE difference it’s made in the quality of my life and

consequently the quality of OUR lives. She also let me know that SHE wasn’t

on the diet and I shouldn’t expect her to eat the way I do. She

does at times and at others she eats what she likes and often it’s something

I can’t. So be it. Above all I have encouraged her to follow

her dietary path and she’s encouraged me to do the same and it’s

worked. Neither of us complains and we understand that while we’re

joined by marriage we’re not, necessarily, by dinner. I

have made it as comfortable as I possibly can for her to eat whatever she wants

whether I am there or not and it helps that she never gripes about what I can

or can’t eat or the limitations that brings, particularly when we go

out. Therein lies the compromise I think is essential for us – the SCD

is completely a non-issue and the rewards of my health are celebrated in what

we can do together and as a family with our kids. It’s not about

food , it’s about freedom.

You may find too that as you get further along in the diet

things become a little easier. There’s no reason you can’t

have an SCD compliant sandwich at lunch for example – I do it all the

time. The diet doesn’t need to be a struggle; it just takes some

time to make it a working part of your life rather than a hurdle to jump

several times a day. You’ll get there, stick with it.

Incidentally, I went from 3600mg Asacol and 25mg

Amitryptaline every day to being med free.

Wishing you well,

S. IBD 1988, SCD 6/19/07, NO MEDS!

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

I empathize with you AND your girlfriend – ours is not

the easiest way of life for anyone.

My wife has seen me at my very sickest (VERY sick, HOURS

every day in the bathroom, etc.), was supportive of me starting the SCD and has

seen the HUGE difference it’s made in the quality of my life and

consequently the quality of OUR lives. She also let me know that SHE wasn’t

on the diet and I shouldn’t expect her to eat the way I do. She

does at times and at others she eats what she likes and often it’s something

I can’t. So be it. Above all I have encouraged her to follow

her dietary path and she’s encouraged me to do the same and it’s

worked. Neither of us complains and we understand that while we’re

joined by marriage we’re not, necessarily, by dinner. I

have made it as comfortable as I possibly can for her to eat whatever she wants

whether I am there or not and it helps that she never gripes about what I can

or can’t eat or the limitations that brings, particularly when we go

out. Therein lies the compromise I think is essential for us – the SCD

is completely a non-issue and the rewards of my health are celebrated in what

we can do together and as a family with our kids. It’s not about

food , it’s about freedom.

You may find too that as you get further along in the diet

things become a little easier. There’s no reason you can’t

have an SCD compliant sandwich at lunch for example – I do it all the

time. The diet doesn’t need to be a struggle; it just takes some

time to make it a working part of your life rather than a hurdle to jump

several times a day. You’ll get there, stick with it.

Incidentally, I went from 3600mg Asacol and 25mg

Amitryptaline every day to being med free.

Wishing you well,

S. IBD 1988, SCD 6/19/07, NO MEDS!

[Guest guest]

At 11:31 AM 9/23/2009, you wrote:

For those of you who are

married, how does your spous deal with you being on the diet and eating

restrictions? Going out to eat? Ect...

Hmm. My husband has none of my issues. The wretch can still wear the same

suit he wore the day we got married over 33 years ago. Whereas I

have another hundred pounds to lose. (My gut issues handed me obesity as

a side issue. My despicable husband <grin> eats 6000 calories a day

on a desk job to maintain his elegantly slender frame. If I eat more than

1500, with exercising 6-9 hours a week, I gain.)

When I began SCD, I was tired all the time, irritable, frustrated. I

hated leaving the house because it was likely that I'd have a " blow

out " before we got back. Now this is not an issue. He likes

that.

As for going out to eat,since I am okay with salads (took me some months

to get there), I have an insulated case in which a place a small

container of my favorite salad dressing, small bottles of my favorite

(homemade) seasoning mixes, and a couple sticks of butter. (I found a

cream cheese container which just holds two sticks.) The foods are always

ready in the fridge, so if we decide to eat out, it only takes a moment

to put everything, plus a few slices of souffle bread, some SCD crackers,

or some nut flour muffins in the case. I also put a couple of cold

packs to keep everything chilled.

We are limited in what restaurants we can go to -- I've found a few local

places that will work with me. Chain restaurants, like Red Lobster and

Texas Roadhouse, have to be approached with caution because most things

come pre-packaged, and the " butter " included with anything is

usually margarine, plus starch and other cr@p. But, for instance,

Jaeger's Seafood on Clearview Parkway was wonderfully accommodating --

the owner, Nickie, has a brother who is so allergic to seafood that he

has to shower and change clothes after work before he can visit him! He's

well aware of cross-contamination issues, Phil's Grill, also in Metairie,

has a " burger in a bowl, " with the bun served on a bed of

lettuce. (BTW, one other thing to watch out for is that most cheese

served in restaurants in either (a) American, or ( commercially

shredded with things like corn starch or potato starch used as an

anti-caking agent. For this reason, I also toss in a small bag of

whatever shredded cheese I fancy that day.

We go out to eat every Saturday night with friends. None of my other

friends are on SCD, but they've seen the changes in me since going SCD,

and they're as fierce about questioning the wait-staff as I am. My friend

was in a mood for lobster one night, and called all her favorite

lobster places before settling on one that could accommodate me, then

called me up and said, " How about some lobster tonight? Jaeger's can

handle SCD.... " For her husband's birthday, she brought a regular

cake, and then had a SCD-legal dessert for me!

Oh, and about that weird SCD food? In 2002, after I'd been SCD for less

than a year, Harry was going on a trip. I joked that he would be able to

eat anywhere he wanted to. He smiled, and asked me to put up a bag of SCD

food to take with him, because SCD food tasted better than anything he

was likely to find on the road. Harry maintains that he's never eaten

better in the 33 years we've been married, since SCD is REAL

FOOD.

WRT to the inability of individuals to cope with your new lifestyle,

remember that CHANGE can be threatening to many people. They're

accustomed to you being sick. Your new take-charge view of things, the

fact that you are transitioning to being healthy -- and insisting on the

accommodations you need to make that change, can distress people.

As you become more comfortable with SCD, it won't be a major production

about what to have for lunch. Or dinner. And you'll be able to do ever so

much more because you'll be healing. Keep that positive thought for the

future.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund