Hi,

I hav been on the NSD for about 4 years. I stll eat all dairy. I have been having fairly regular flares every 2 to 3 weeks for about 6 months......I must still be eating something I shouldn't.

I am very slight and struggle to keep weight on. My must haves include red wine and chocolate. ( I need some food to look forward to )

I am heading over to Europe in 4 weeks and was after some advice on generally safe food especially fruits and veg, as I won't be able to test food.

Any suggestions. I'm thinking of doing a one day juice fast are oranges ok?

Thanks
Antoniette

not sure where you are going, but have found that when i travel, if i can find small grocers, fruit / veggie stands, deli's, places like that, and eat mostly from those places, not only do i save money, but its easier to monitor what i eat, and what is in what that way.

I have RA, and do the NSD and I can't eat dairy and chocolate bothers me too, but I eat chocolate alot too, it must be the endorphins I get that make me want to eat it everyday , right?

I would eat salads and restaurants with chicken on top. Maybe order steak, chicken tirkey main dish with some cooked veggies or a salad as a side dish. Fruit for dessert. Carry raw fruits and veggies with you and trail mix too. If you carry some fruit with you it may help you not get real hungry and then give in to something starchy. I hope you have fun, must be exciting!!!

Thanks, all good tips, and yes I'm very excited.

I read in another thread about your rib pain, my ribs and my thoracic spine are my worst effected areas, my pain is around the bottom of my ribs, mainly right side, but can also ache all over my ribs ,including sternum. I find when I'm not in a flare, regular massage, walking, light streches and the NSD work for me.

Leafy greens are generally safe. Most places have spinach or broccoli. I find that holding the black pepper is helpful. I typically ask restaurants to just prepare things as simple as possible - sauteed in olive oil and salt and nothing else.

Prior to giving up sugar, I had successfully ate blue berries and black berries with no reaction whatsoever. I think the white stuff on oranges are starchy...

Good luck with your trip!

Yes, you might need to give up the dairy :'( Just give it up for a few days and see.

We can make a dairy substitute out of tofu - Placing soft tofu and water in a blender with honey and cocoa and you get a nice milkshake! Much much much safer than dairy. More tofu and less water = a thicker creamier result. Do make sure it is a softer type of tofu though.

I saw lots of good advice above

When I was travelling in spain I would :

* eat at McDonalds - order a big mac with double paddies of meat and throw away the buns only. This is oh so handy as McDonalds is so dang convenient sometimes, being located in just the right places, and open at the right times (ie. late at night when you are starving!). Pity I have to cut down on red meat now, but that shouldn't be an issue for you.

* have plenty of dried fruit and fruit juice on hand. The dried fruit and nuts are particularly handy any time I need to exert myself physically.

* if you see a place with bacon and eggs on the menu / all day breakfast menu then head there. I can pretty much always ask for the bread to be replaced by salad / spinach / another egg.

.. oh yeah, and work out what the local version of "no flour" / no grains / no wheat is

Great tips. Thank you

Just be careful with scrambled eggs...sometimes places use the powdered stuff which can be starchy. That's why I usually order my eggs fried. Also, hard boiled eggs are always a winner because they're portable and great on the run.