Gastroparesis question
Find a Conversation
Gastroparesis question
| Wed, 10-24-2007 - 12:40pm |
Hello. I popped in to get some information. My FIL was just dx'd with gastroparesis and GERD. In looking over other information online, I see that things like whole grain breads and fresh fruit and veggies (and a whole assortment of veggies totally) are to be avoided. We'll be hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year. Here's the tricky part - I'm diabetic AND we're vegetarian (ovolacto so cheese and such is okay). For me, whole grains are important - I have to avoid "white foods" (white flour, sugar, potatoes and such) because they digest too quickly and hit the bloodstream like a rock. That very quick digestion is Good for FIL. So, any helpful hints or tips y'all might have (a favorite recipe even) that would be safe for FIL and for me.
Thanks
--Deb
Thanks
--Deb

I'll see what else
Thanks. We're already planning to roast up veggies - squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, etc and everyone can pick around whatever they don't want (not just me and FIL) - we'll probably sprinkle them with a dash of cinnamon for a little extra zip (and cinnamon can help some diabetics control blood sugar). We're also planning it as more of a "Continental" style meal where we do a series of smaller courses over a longer time rather than one huge pile of food on the table at once. Something like a soup course of vegetable stock (fat free) based tomato and roasted red pepper soup, a cheese course (assorted breads and crackers with a few different cheeses including low fat options), then the roasted veggies and some mashed taters (I'll just skip the mashed taters). The biggie is trying to find a central entree to go with the roasted veggies - little to no meat, low fat, low carb (and preferably no deviled eggs since eggs make my intestines go crazy yucky). Right now we're thinking maybe baked cod (after all, the pilgrims lived right there by Cape Cod).
It's typical that we distribute various bits to others in the family, so we may just delegate other folks to handle the dessert.
Can't really ask FIL - he's still wanting a magic pill that will let him eat a 16 ounce steak and a fried onion blossom. Failing that, he just kind of mumbles and moans about what he can't eat.
Thanks again
--Deb
Oh, another question: is it reversible? Could this be a temporary thing or is it usually somewhat permanent?
--Deb
I think that's a question best posed to your doctor. If it is something that is reversible, there may be other circumstances (ie only a certain type is reversible or a certain level of damage, etc) that only your doctor would know for sure.
Hi Deb and welcome! Sorry I wasn't here, but my computer decided to crash a few weeks ago. I am Elise, the CL here.

<Thanks for that article, it was very helpful. It mentioned that certain thyroid conditions can lead to gastroparesis and I know that there was something going on with his thyroid just prior to all this starting up. Knowing that it's pretty permanent, not reversible, is helpful to know. I think he's still expecting some kind of 'magic pill' to cure it so he can go back to steak and fried onions. He's also got a lot of weakness in his legs, edema and fluid oozing from his legs (he was on prednizone for the muscle weakness which causes water retention which causes the edema).
Currently, our menu is: homemade pumpkin soup with cinnamon (vegetable stock base), homemade bread, low fat baked macaroni & cheese (Velveeta has a 2% version as well as their regular whole milk version), and a baked autumn vegetable tart (squash, potatoes, pumpkin, maybe some sliced apple), maybe some baked apples. No meat (since we eat little meat anyhow) and very little fat (mostly small amounts of olive oil for the bread and tart crust, none on the roasted veggies). MIL is bringing the appetizer and one SIL is bringing a dessert, plus we're making pumpkin pie because we love it. Water, low fat milk, almond milk (sweetened and un), cider, tea and coffee will be available - I'm pretty sure he is still okay with low fat dairy, from what MIL says.
I'm happy to know that the article was helpful...thanks for letting me know! :o)
Your menu sounds great to me! I do like meat and would need a tiny piece of turkey, but certainly would have no problems with the rest of what you plan to serve. Due to some recent dental issues, on top of my stomach and pain issues, I have been losing weight. Since I do love most autumn veggies, I need to get more creative and start trying to make some 'softer' foods for myself.
CL of

<Monday, DH made a wonderful butternut squash soup - first he made vegetable stock (carrots with tops, celery and celery tops, onion, garlic) then he cooked cut up butternut squash in the stock along with some bits of the carrots and celery (removed the tops and the onion chunks) and got out the "boat motor", the hand held blender stick, and pureed it all then added a goodly sprinkle of cinnamon (cinnamon can help control blood sugar which is good for me, since I've got type 2 diabetes, I try to get a bit in every day one way or another - homemade applesauce, soups, sprinkled into plain Greek yogurt with a teaspon of agave nectar, etc). It's really easy and light but kind of hearty at the same time and perfect for late autumn.
--Deb