WHAT SHOULD I EAT: Hi Everyone, Finally have... - PMRGCAuk

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WHAT SHOULD I EAT

Cheshy72 profile image
43 Replies

Hi Everyone,

Finally have started a Lo Carb diet as I have put on about 10 lbs,

My husband is onboard as well, which is brilliant. My question is breakfast. Eggs seem to feature very heavily in different guises. I always had porridge or toast. They are a bit carb heavy.

Lunch and dinner are easy, it’s just breakfast which has me stumped. Suggestions would be most welcome.

I read the entries everyday and have learnt so much from the tireless contributors on this site. I’ve had PMR since June 2017 and am now down to 7 msg.

I have now been told I have osteoporosis which was a shock as I thought I had strong bones, ha ha. Could it be something to do with taking Omeprozole for 15 yrs.? So furious that I didn’t read the side effects. Hence losing weight and trying to get off omprazole. First day of Spring today. Looking forward to my garden coming to life.

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Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72
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43 Replies
peace_lover profile image
peace_lover

I can’t make suggestions for breakfast as I just have cereal! However, I took Omeprazole for 14 years without knowing about the serious side effects, and wasn’t picked up by any GP, and now have osteoporosis too. This was discovered by a Dexascan before I started taking Pred so can’t be attributed to that. My Mum may have had it so there may be a genetic link here. I’m off Omeprazole now and taking Ranatidine, although I don’t find it so good and makes me feel a bit sick sometimes. I share your rage!

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply topeace_lover

I know. My G p said to me uncontrolled reflux may cause cancer of the Osephogeous (can't spell) or Omprozale may cause stomach cancer. What a choice. I have read that it is best not to go cold turkey. How did you stop taking omprazole?

peace_lover profile image
peace_lover in reply toCheshy72

I was taking it because I have a liver disease called PBC. Before PMR was diagnosed I was taking Naproxen to help with the pain and stiffness (it didn’t) so It was suggested by GP that I increase the Omeprazole from 1 tablet to 2,split morning and night. Then as I wasn’t happy with the increase as I’d become aware there might be problems (through this forum!!) I took Ranatidine (which I purchased from a Pharmacy) at night and Omeprazole in the morning. So weaned off a little.

As soon as I got the results of the Dexascan and mentioned the Omeprazole to my (new] GP she took me off it and prescribed Ranatidine! I didn’t have any noticeable side effects through switching but don’t find it as good. Perhaps a weaning off period might help you?

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply topeace_lover

Thanks. Will be going to doctor next week.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toCheshy72

I’ve just stopped taking Omeprazole- started April 2012 when diagnosed with GCA. Have been asking GP to stop for last 2 years, he finally said yes a week or so ago!

When I questioned about tapering off, he said “no, just stop it” - so I did, with no problem. I guess it may depend on what dose you are on - I was only on 10mg.

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply toDorsetLady

Thats good to know. My dose is 20 mgs. Seeing doctor next week. Thanks.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Haha - first day of autumn here and it is practising! But we should get late summer back later in the week ;-)

You have to think in a different culture for breakfast without cereal and to reduce egg content! In Germanic countries as well as eggs we get cold meat, cheeses, salad veggies, fish (smoked salmon and other smoked fish), yoghurt (Greek natural yog is low carb), skyr (has that reached the Antipodes?), berries (OK in moderation).

The dietdoctor site has loads of suggestions for all sorts of low carb meals and even a page of egg-free ideas as well as hidden egg ideas:

dietdoctor.com/low-carb/rec...

No doubt Atkins does too. Google low carb breakfasts no eggs and you will find a lot of links. And after all - low carb means sausages (not UK breadpacked ones obviously) and bacon may figure on the list and I would never tire of having them a couple of times a week...

You need to wean off the omeprazole slowly - bit like pred. You can get lower doses and you can mix the PPI and ranitidine on the non-PPI days to help and then I think it is easier to wean off the ranitidine. The problem is that stopping a PPI suddenly leads to a rebound production of even more acid that can be worse than it was pre-PPI. Doing it slowly reduces that effect.

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply toPMRpro

Thanks for great suggestions. I will look up Diet Doctor .

MamaBeagle profile image
MamaBeagle in reply toCheshy72

From what I read........eggs are no longer the villains they were - like salt! The keto diet site has lots of ideas for low carb breakfasts. I cut right down but it made me ill so I avoid white carbs but still have 1/4 cup oats for breakfast with almond milk and prunes - I know fruit/carbs............but absolutely necessary!!!

MamaBeagle profile image
MamaBeagle in reply toMamaBeagle

Oh! forgot - and almonds!!

Daisychain12 profile image
Daisychain12 in reply toMamaBeagle

MamaBeagle I am struggling to do keto and it is making me feel really horrid. I have to do it though as I am pretty much on the numbers of diabetes now. It is a harsh diet isn't it. I was interested to see that you have modified it a bit but does that mean that you are not now actually in ketosis? xxx

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDaisychain12

Are you doing a keto diet under the direction of your doctor? It isn't the keto diet that we suggest on the forum - that will make you feel unwell and someone who is diabetic should not be doing such an extreme approach without medical advice. We recommend cutting white/simple carbs a lot - not removing carbs altogether.

MamaBeagle profile image
MamaBeagle in reply toDaisychain12

The problem was though Daisy, I don't think I ever reached ketosis - and I have in the past when I've dieted - lifelong problem with the flab! But I did find the extreme carbohydrate drop too much I felt even more jittery and weak than I normally feel now, a year in with PMR! And I was controlling the calorie intake too! So as I say the white carbs are off but I eat moderate amounts of the more friendly ones - such as oats, soya and linseed bread. I've cut out pasta unless it's low carb like the one made from buckwheat which is difficult but not impossible to find here in the UK . Good Luck Daisy xx

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toMamaBeagle

Have you tried Asian stores? Soba noodles are used in oriental cookery.

And actually - Tesco lists it under their Free-from range (buckwheat is naturally gluten-free).

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply toMamaBeagle

Thanks for your reply. I think I will have porridge ocassionly. Nuts and I do eat prunes as a snack.

Really a matter of being organised. It’s a lovely spring day here, cold and sunny. Will be going shopping shortly.

4840 profile image
4840 in reply toPMRpro

It happened to me when I tried to stop. It did lead to a rebound production of more acid.

I had to go back to the 20 mg of Omeprazole for a few days, but now I am on 10 mg for the time being.

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply to4840

I tried to stop about 3 weeks ago and ended up in bed too frightened to eat anything. Will be trying a lower dose alternating with, start with an R, forgotten the name. PMRpro suggested. But to my horror I can’t get an appointment until 14th September. Perils of living in small country town. However after 15 yrs of omprazole another few weeks won’t matter.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toCheshy72

Was it Ranitidine? An appointment on 14 September at my practise would be emergency! I might get a phone appointment in that time. I live in a small country village.

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply topiglette

Before we shifted here we could see a Doctor the next day so a bit spoilt. It is Ranitidine which was suggested and taking a lower dose of omprazole. I hope by eating a healthier diet the indigestion will be less.

DianeA1 profile image
DianeA1

Hi Cheshy72, as you say, eggs seem to figure into my breakfast every day, too, along with walnuts and mandarin oranges. When first diagnosed with PMR, I would boil up a bunch and not only eat them for breakfast, but as snacks. Having the good food choices handy all the time made me avoid the bad choices completely and I melted away 25 lbs quite quickly. I am a grazer and like having things ready. Now, I can add a couple of slices of gluten free bread with good quality butter.

You probably already have done this but I researched the anti-inlfammation diet for tips.

It is interesting that if I do eat something with sugar and/or flour, I notice it on the scale quickly and my tummy swells.

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply toDianeA1

That is fantastic,well done. Yes I think being organised is key. Will get myself organised tomorrow with good food choices.

PMRCanada profile image
PMRCanada

I began eating low carb, sugar, salt this past April, and had plenty of help from my daughter with is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner. We've had lots of informative conversations and she provided me with some meal plan suggestions that were helpful. I was never a breakfast eater, so it was the most difficult meal for me to tackle. I enjoy greek natural yogurt but I top mine with homemade berry compote (made organic blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and we bit of maple syrup). Eggs with spinach, tomato, garlic, onions is another choice (or your choice of veg) is another choice. Lastly sometimes I make my own smoothie with frozen fruit, spinach, flax seed, chia seeds, greek yogurt and coconut milk - even my husband likes these.

The keto diet seems to be trending now, and it is low carb as well. I got some great recipes from the DietDr. link that PMRpro provided - my favourite is the keto asian cabbage stirfry......YUMMY! Roasted cauliflower is a mainstay as well.

Some folks on here have adopted a plant-based diet, which entails eliminating certain food groups, however they've achieved great success.

Nice that your husband is joining in, that makes it so much easier. Good luck and let us know how you make out Cheshy72

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply toPMRCanada

Thanks, some great ideas there. The Asian Cabbage stir fry sounds good. Will go shopping today and stock up on plenty of vegetables and snack options. Have just been reading about a bread available in Aldi, 5 grams carb for 2 slices plus high protein. Wonder if it will be available in my little country town.

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

I just have Greek yoghurt with the Pred and an early lunch. Evenings are my danger time. Well done for taking positive action, you’ll soon lose those pounds.

I have read that you can get awful indigestion coming off Omeprazole. I hope you have found ways to combat this.

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply toSheffieldJane

Hi Jane, I do have the Greek yoghurt occasionally with some blueberries. Before dinner is when we had drinks,pate cheese and crackers. Good way to put on weight. We also like going to cafes and indulging. Another bad habit. Now will have to find some healthy habits.

KinnearD profile image
KinnearD

I'm new to this too and working lower carb. Currently I drink a latte coffee kindly made by my husband....a well-established habit with keeping ( coffee and husband). I'm retired now so it's easier to have two other meals only with an additional latte for calcium etc. I'm alternating brunch between scrambled eggs on spinach and tomato etc with sardines/fish on a very thin Vogel bread we have in NZ. Everything has a yellow tinge here. ..made tumeric paste and that goes into the latte too. Its working si far for me. I'm not feeling like my usual red wine and drink lots of ginger green tea. I feel highly motivated to not gain weight . .that's more powerful than any food. Also, most helpful for me is logging my next day's food on My Fitness Pal. It removes any indecision and it's not just what I feel like Just early days. Good luck.

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72

I’ve just been reading about a Lo carb bread available in Aldi, probably in other supermarkets which sounds perfect. I’ve just put an app on my phone to track steps,that’s if I can work it. We are going to Singapore Thailand, Vietnam in November so losing weight is going to help immensely. Going with daughter and her family. They are all tall and thin. Thanks for your reply.

Louisa1840 profile image
Louisa1840

Oh - are you in the southern hemisphere too? Happy Spring BTW! I too am trying to lose steroid weight. We always have a high protein breakfast of eggs ,mushroom,tomatoes and bacon - sometimes an omelette. If you must have a carb breakfast porridge is good and it's best to load your carbs in the morning. I love the book Low Carb Made Easy - it's my Bible!!

You have done well to be down to 7 mg. I am still on 9 and have had PMR about the same time as you.

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply toLouisa1840

Hi Louisa i am 2 1/2 hrs from Melb on way to Sydney. We shifted about 5 mths ago and still havnt recovered.

We had a brunch of bacon, eggs and tomato. Plus 1 slice of low carb bread toasted. Certainly stops hunger. For dinner we are having curry sort of with vegetables. Husband does a lot of the cooking. I will have porridgd now and again. We went shopping this morning to stock up. Oh joy.

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72

Must look for that book. I bought a book last night on amazon it is horrible. Don't shop in the middle of the night.

Louisa1840 profile image
Louisa1840

The book is EXCELLENT. I got mine in an Op-Shop (gotta love them) it's by John Ratcliffe and is one of the best I have read.

I am down in Tassie. Was the book you bought an anti-inflammatory diet book - I've heard that's dreadful?

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply toLouisa1840

I have looked on eBay, a few copies in the U K . I love trawling op shops as does my daughter so I will get a copy eventually. Thanks

Louisa1840 profile image
Louisa1840

Don't delay it's a great book - you can have delicious meals and not feel hungry. Don't worry too much about the osteoporosis - I have that and have an Aclasta infusion once a year The book may be available on Gumtree? Low Carb Made Easy by John Ratcliffe - so good!

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72

Because I am very impatient I have purchased the Kindle version. I will still look for the actual book as it will be easier to dip into. I’ll look on Gumtree. Recipes do seem very nice.

Linda369 profile image
Linda369

Hi Cheshy72, I have lost 17lbs since on Pred, which I started 18th May this year, and still have my porridge with fresh fruit and nuts EVERY day. I won’t give this up as enjoy it so much. I don’t exercise either, although I know I should. But as long as I stay under 9 stone and get into my M&S size 12 jeans I am happy. I have given up sugar though. Although some days have had some very naughty binges, they are few and far between. After one of these naughty days I just start afresh the next day, not going to beat myself up over them, I am only human after all. Good luck on your PMR journey.

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72

Hi Linda, well done. I must say if I was under 9 stone and could fit into size 12 jeans I would be deliriously happy. Something to aspire to. Giving up sugar is the hard part but I am giving it a go. My husband is going well and it helps doing it together. I started Pred 11 mths ago. I will never forget the first few weeks of this rotten disease. This site and the wonderful help from the experts has been invaluable.

Valnvaughan profile image
Valnvaughan

My daughter introduced me to a summer way of eating porridge.........satisfying breakfast even on a low carb diet. Layer of porridge in a lidded container, cover with layer of milk, then some berries of choice then cover with natural yogurt. Leave in fridge overnight......delicious!

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toValnvaughan

I love porridge but only have it twice a week, I felt I should vary my diet! I was reordering porridge on line today and was looking at the pre made up porridge, I worked out that if you buy it already made up you can pay twenty times as much as getting it in a big pack and all you are paying for is water.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply topiglette

And sugar probably...

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toPMRpro

Ah that is why it is so expensive!

Cheshy72 profile image
Cheshy72 in reply toValnvaughan

I have heard of that, might give it a try when our weather warms up a bit. Thanks

Linda369 profile image
Linda369 in reply toValnvaughan

Hi Valvaughan, I totally agree. When we have to leave the house early for one of our London hospital visits for my son. I take a jar of this with me that I prepared overnight, and a long spoon! I can’t eat first thing anymore, and have to eat breakfast at 10.30 to 11am, as since having PMR and Pred I don’t feel as hungry as I used to. Does anymore else feel like this?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toLinda369

I was hungry with PMR - had a carb crave every afternoon, didn't what I wanted, just that I wanted something. Preferably sweet... The first day I took pred - no craving in the afternoon! Which was a relief given I'd gained weight with PMR. My daughter loses her appetite with pred too.

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