Meals

[sboykin]

What is everyone eating for breakfast lunch and dinner. Trying to get a handle on this. Just been diagnosed with PBC.

[Hidden]

Hello sboykin.

Well I was diagnosed with PBC Dec 2010 after starting to itch early that year.

I always thought I had a good diet and since PBC I've not had to change very much. I scrutinise my ingredients that bit more as I attempt to avoid MSG, artificial sweeteners and the like.

I did once think I could rid myself of the itch via diet but it doesn't seem to have worked though since starting urso Dec 2010 over time it did change and it tends to be confined to night time now.

There doesn't seem to be any hardfast rules regarding diet in PBC. I did ask and all I was informed was to eat a normal healthy diet. I had already stressed pre-diagnosis that I didn't eat fast foods, a lot of fried or fatty foods either. I do belive that a diet that bit lower in fat is beneficial in PBC myself as biel is needed to break down fat and urso is a component of bile acid. In my view that bit less fat is less for the system to deal with but we do need some fat in the diet for the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins like A, D and K. These are vitamins that can be lacked in PBC. (Last time mine were checked I was adequate. Now it is summer in the UK I utilise the sun more as it is the best way of gaining Vit D.)

I tend to have cereal for breakfast with a cup of tea. Take the urso in 2 doses that I have found best for me as seems everyone takes it in variable portions or some all at once evening or morning so have the first dose with breakfast. I have something else, tends to be toast with various toppings, butter alone, honey or jam or even peanut butter awhile after and enjoy a cup of coffee with that. I occasionally have some plain (Rich Tea) biscuits as snacks as well as fruit, often a banana in-between meals. I find myself I can eat very well morning and lunchtime but come evening meal I have taperred off and cannot eat a big meal. I don't have anything to eat usually following the evening meal and the urso. For some reason I feel better this way. If I do want something I might have a couple of plain biscuits with my final drink of the day before 9p.m. Yesterday for instance had some cherries in the evening.

I try to make all my meals from fresh ingredients so I know what is in the food. I will have a treat when I want to do (ie ice-cream for dessert).

In the latest Bear Facts magazine that I get emailed to me (if you are a member of the PBC Foundation contact them and they will email you the latest copy that I got several weeks ago), there was an article on ursodeoxycholic acid and in it the Professor who wrote the article stated that diet and also exercise are not a cure for PBC. I do a lot of walking myself, try to keep busy as I find when I am sitting about later in the day I feel prickly due to the itch.

We can get allsorts of other health problems and I am sure some can be diet-related so it is probably best sticking to a balanced diet that has good variety and is nutritious.

[sboykin in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for all your information that you have given me. I live in Arizona and I should get plenty of Vitamin D out here. Again thank you for the information and look forward to many more.

[Hidden in reply to sboykin]

Hello again sboykin.

I also forgot to add that since I had my first abnormal blood tests early 2010 I have avoided any medications as I think they can put additional strain on the liver.

I know medications at times cannot be avoided but I think unless absolutely necessary then I won't use. It is said early PBC medications are 'tolerated' but I'd rather avoid if I possibly can.

[liver-bird]

Hello sboykin. Welcome to the Pbc club. I was diagnosed over one year ago. I try to eat healthily - plenty of fruit, veg and protein, but also allow some treats which don't seem to cause any problems. Drink plenty of water is my main advice and enjoy life.

[Hidden in reply to liver-bird]

Well said liver-bird, live life is my motto moreso since PBC diagnosis.

[PBCFoundation PBC Foundation]

Good afternoon sboykin,

I have sent you a private message

Best wishes

PBC Foundation