CRPS and clean eating, suggestions, recipes, advice :)
 

Hello, I am a fairly new member here and have truly appreciated the support I have received already, I feel blessed to have strangers care and help me so much during such a hard time!:D

This is of a completely different note. I am wanting to start a new discussion on foods, recipes, etc. that have helped you all with CRPS. I had severe pneumonia almost 2 years ago and it completely changed the way I eat, for the better! I could not tolerate anything but soup. I did everything in my power to heal myself. I stopped eating wheat and almost all grains entirely and it has helped me tremendously with cutting down on the inflammation associated with CRPS. I don't know if any of you have read or are familiar with the "Wahl's protocol" in which she is addressing MS, but it talks about eating a tremendous amount of veggies, etc. and I think it can be of help for many of us with CRPS. I am a vegetarian of 20 years, but I guess not anymore, as I added just wild, sockeye salmon from Alaska to my diet, that has helped me a ton with inflammation as well.

Just one meal that I find helpful having CRPS and anti-inflammatory--I eat many pounds of spinach per week now. I sautee up a ton of minced (pre-minced) garlic with extra virgin olive oil and red pepper flakes and just add the organic, pre-washed spinach to the pan until it is just wilted enough and still green. That, along with the salmon(I generally just bake it with sometimes a balsamic vinaigrette dressing (or whatever preparation you prefer) and a baked sweet potato from the microwave with some EVOO and basil is like a dinner from God for someone that has issues from CRPS with her hands--super easy and soooooo incredibly healthy for you (the only downside is wild sockeye salmon can get pricey depending on where you live). Also, the addition of fresh lemon to your salmon and spinach will liven it up and accentuate the flavor profile of both :)

I can give more suggestions as I love eating clean and of course making food that makes me feel better. Please everyone contribute your suggestions and recipes of food that makes you feel better (not comfort food, but healing food please :)).:grouphug:

Hi Again everyone, just wanting to remind everyone that if you are in a bad place emotionally or physically, as unfortunately many of us are, please reach out, as I've already noted, there are many kind individuals on here and you can always PM message people so it's not seen to the world. Again, a few of you on here have been of such great support and help, I can't even thank you enough :hug: Just trying to help other people going and suffering through this whole CRPS/RSD some help or advice in any way I can give it to help. I know how hard it is. Please, keep trying to get better in any (even little way) you can), people here do care and are here for support :grouphug:

Meg,

You are so right, evaluating all lifestyle factors is important to recovery, especially the food we eat to fuel our bodies. Ironically, I developed CRPS when I was eating clean, but because my diet included lots of healthy high oxalate foods I wrongly blamed them for the excrutiating pain I was experiencing and stopped eating them for months. Recently I started to include them in my diet with no ill effect.

I also eliminated all the foods from the nightshade family at the same time. I found this did not help me at all either. When I was violently sick last week the only foods that settled my stomach were chicken soup, bananas and mashed red potato. These were the first potatoes I ate in a year, and fortunately I discovered I can eat them again with no ill effect. I managed to live without them by subsituting cauliflower for them-delicious mashed. (I have yet to try making this with frozen cauliflower, but friends tell me they have done this successfully)

Regarding grains, it has been postulated that for many it isn't necessarily grains that has caused health problems, but the pesticides used to grow them. I eliminated all grains, too, when I had no diagnosis, but I have started to add organic oatmeal and organic sourdough bread to my menu.

Another issue we all face is that the nutritional value of the food we eat today is considerably lower than the food our parents ate, because of soil depletion. I started to drink mineral water when I was bed bound, because it seemed to me that tap water was not quenching my thirst or hydrating me. Unfortunately now that I no longer have a job I have to give up the bottled water. I don't know what to do, since our water is fluoridated and purified with chloramine.

Great thread Meg!

My first job was in a health food store juice bar. I got a lot of early exposure to eating whole, organic foods and that has stuck with me. That said I do love a well made baked good and I have not given up uncured applewood smoked bacon. :) I can't go acting all goody-goody when it's not true.

I am with Bio on the grains not being so bad. If they are organic and in moderation no problem. I tend toward brown rice, quinoa, farro and barley. I eat plenty of veggies, lentils and beans as well. Sometimes I juice but not regularly. Yogurt just about daily and cheese in moderation, preferably goat or sheep's milk cuz it's just yummy. God only knows how much olive oil I consume! We eat fish at our house at least once week and other lean proteins the rest of time. The cat and I are the only ones who like tofu :rolleyes:. Being MY cat, she has developed a love of international flavors including hummus and brie....

I cut out caffeine and alcohol early on, noticing that I seem to be very sensitive to the circulatory effects of both. Nightshades too, though like Bio I have been able to add a few back in.

Here is a favorite on those occasional days I really feel like splurging...

Tuna steak sliced thin for ease of cooking, seared with spices (I tend to just cook it through) and topped with a garnish amount of white cheddar and wilted arugula over a small bed of rice or farro. Yumm, I may have to go to buy tuna now...

:hug:

I can't really say I have any recipes to share right now. I like to eat healthy, although since January, I have not been able to cook much at all. I am a rather good cook and that is one of the things that I really miss being able to do every day. I love being able to use my creativity to make different meals without having any written recipe, just create them based on what we have in the fridge that day. It is one of those things that many of my friends say I really shine at doing and expressing my creativity.

I by no means eat a really healthy diet, but I do try to eat at least somewhat healthy. I only use olive oil when oil is needed and always have more veggies on the plate than starches, grains, or meats. Changing to a healthier diet helped my dad a lot years ago when he was misdiagnosed with MS. He was misdiagnosed with MS back in the early 90's after loosing his vision and motor control of his arms while driving to work. It turned out to be an unusual case of arthritis where the inflammation caused pressure on his ocular nerve and some other nerves at the base of his neck. Eating a healthy diet of lots of fruits and veggies, limited grains, very limited fats, and no red meat has helped him immensely. Now that we are in our new house, maybe it's time I start watching some of the things that are known to cause inflammation.

Megsmountain, your recipe that you shared sounds very yummy! I love sauted spinach with garlic, (I like to add some pine nuts sometimes as well, but that falls into the grains and nuts which many of us are trying to avoid), and fresh salmon and trout, especially wild caught. I was just curious though, is consuming that much spinach, which contains high levels of oxalic acid, actually healthy? I know that a certain level of oxalates are healthy, but is eating many pounds a week still ok?

I see a lot of people on here avoiding grains and nuts. Isn't it the gluten that causes the inflammation? Can gluten free grains still be ok to keep in our diet?

I think this a wonderful thread you started. Thank you for starting it! I will have to start paying attention to what I cook up. I would love to share some of my own creations as well, with everyone here.

Yes, there are some gluten free grains! This is all so individualized...we each have to see what feels best for our own body. Grains don't bother everyone and nuts are a great source of magnesium. Marcona or Valencia almonds and raw cashews are a very regular part of my diet. :)

You might want to checkout marksdailyapple.com, which is a paleo site with lots of good recipes. It seems to me that Hooshmand's "diet' for RSD/CRPS has many similarities to eating the Paleo way.

My computer is fried, so sorry if this response comes back strange. I need to look into the oxalate subject again. Purplefoot, I know I've researched in the past. I cook the spinach, which from memory cuts down on the oxalates? Again, may be off here, I'll do some research. I do know that eating tons of cooked greens like spinach and kale with TONS of garlic helps me tremendously. My hubby calls me Popeye sometimes :) I remember also cutting out foods high in salicytes (in almost everything including spices! I've also quit eating night shades and have not noticed a difference in inflammation when I've re introduced them to my diet. I love bell and hot peppers and all sorts of tomatoes. I'm happy to hear your father has gotten better with a different diet :D
I was doing a vegetarian paleo for quite a while with just wild Alaskan salmon. It proved to be severely limiting and so I've slowly added some grains, legumes, etc back in. I think nuts are very healing (if they are just natural, not covered in salt and oil, etc) as the magnesium levels are so high, magnesium really helps me at least with sleep and other issues. I also absolutely love black and kidney beans especially, black bean chili is the best, so added some legumes back into my diet. I have also introduced some gf pastas, etc as I just wanted to eat pasta again, but just keep out the wheat. :p
Tonight, I made a rice pasta (doesn't get soggy like most gf) with sautéed garlic, red pepper flakes and chopped walnuts in evoo, then add fresh somewhat chopped spinach, after it's wilted down you add 4 oz of feta or goat cheese and about 1/4-1/2 milk to the mix and add in the cooked spaghetti, it's fantastic, oh and add as much grated Romano cheese as you prefer to give it the extra kick :)I'm sure you can see the common theme, tons of garlic and spinach! Everyone has their specific foods that make them feel better :hug:

Another take on the gluten issue:
http://www.motherjones.com/environme...health-problem

Thank you megsmountain,

Your recipes sound so delicious. Garlic has never been an issue in our house. We easily go through 5-6 heads a week. We always joke that we should have no issues with vampires even coming near our house.

Hope your issues with your computer are not too serious where it would keep you from being able to share more with us on here. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes to your table next.:Starvin:

@biobased, I just noticed your reply above regarding purified water. Have you tried a water filter that you can attach directly to your faucet (PUR) and other brands offer many types, also Brita makes pitchers that filter water? I found the filters that attached directly to the faucet were easier to use.

@alaina, Cooking was absolutely one of the things I used to enjoy most, and unfortunately I can't cook many of the things I once was able too. I have to take any shortcut I can, like prewashed spinach, preminced garlic, preshredded cheese, etcetera. I do really miss being able to make elaborate meals for friends and baking like I used to do often, even though I don't eat sugar (always for others :)). On a lighter note, the vampires are definitely kept at bay here, I go through sometimes 2 entire jars of pre-minced garlic (that's probably like 40 or 50 cloves)some weeks, lol!!! Garlic helps me so much with breathing issues (asthma) and just my strengthen my immune system so much:D

As far as the gluten free issue, I'm probably 99% gf, I mainly try and avoid wheat. I wish more gf substitutes were healthier, most have very little nutritional value. I'm sure that will improve with time. I just sometimes crave pasta or pizza and give in to the gf substitutes. They turn out yummy :)

I stopped eating sugar except a few treats a year over a decade ago as it just made me feel bad. What are others thoughts regarding sugar and exacerbation of crps symptoms, especially inflammation?

Instead of buying pre shredded cheese, which is expensive and has additives you don't want, check out a ninja chopper/prep tool. The least expensive model will run in the $25 range.

I'll definitely check that out :) The cheese I use has potato starch and natamycin, new research project :) I just try every short cut possible so I can still eat food I cook:D

Has anyone used one of the vegetable pasta gizmos?

I love pasta and if I succumb to my desire for it I buy an import, because the wheat is not hybridized.

Meg, I have a water filter under my sink, but it does not remove fluoride or chloramine and unfortunately neither do Pur or Brita.

Bio, here is another option to consider for removing chloramine from your water: http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Chl...atcher-Filter#. They are intended for greenhouses and gardeners who are looking at removing the chlorine and/or chloramine from their water before watering their edible plants. Most garden supply stores, hydroponic supply stores, and even some big box hardware stores carry them. I believe they require a waste water discharge though, and I would not use a garden house. If you know someone who has even a small amount of plumbing skill, they are not that difficult to install. Just a thought.

Hi Biobased, I should have researched those specific items before making suggestions, good to know:)

Hi Alaina, I'm really glad you brought up the high oxalate content concern in eating lots of dark leafy greens, especially spinach, as I eat so much of it! I did a tiny bit of research a few years ago and only saw this as a concern if you are prone to kidney stones.
After your comment, I did a lot more research and the high oxalate foods can cause a lot of issues sometimes, even interfering with certain probiotics. I'm going to take it easy on the spinach to see if I feel any different. It is too bad since organic spinach has such a wonderful nutrition profile and everyone including my acupuncturist recommends eating a ton of dark greens. I'll see if I find any changes after backing off :)
Thankfully, onions and mushrooms at least are low in oxalates, as I can't give up all my favorite veggies :D
As far as my computer, it's officially dead. Fortunately I have a smartphone which I can use until I can get a new one :)

Bio,

I have a Berkey Filter for fluoride. Did a fair bit of research on water filtration several years ago. Would highly recommend a Berkey. www.berkeyfilters.com

Book with recipes
 

I have a favorite book called
"FOODS THAT FIGHT PAIN"
By Dr Neal Barnard
It is old, from 1998 but I got a lot of good recipes.

One favorite which has become a staple is steaming yams and adding pineapple which had bromelain for anti inflammatory effects. His recipe called for 5 yams and 15 ounce can of crushed pineapple. You can add the pineapple to your taste.
I get organic pineapple in a can.

He also has a quinoa and fruit recipe. I don't stay away from grains...I use a lot of quinoa and chia which are high in protein. Google chia seed pudding recipe.
It is raw and you simply add chia seeds to almond milk(I use the non sugar kind) and the chia plump up like tapioca. I add cinnamon and vanilla and eat it all the time as a snack. I drizzle a tiny bit of real maple syrup on it(recently became addicted to Traders Joes Bourbon barrel maple syrup!) You chase to give yourself treats sometimes?

Another recipe from a Dr Oz, put some canned pumpkin, a pat of butter, salt and pepper in a small dish and microwave for a about 45 seconds. A quick and nutritious lunch.

I also do shots of wheatgrass juice as I can and I juice green veggies like kale, celery, cukes.....etc.

I am sure most of you know, supposedly, keeping our bodies alkaline, rather than acidic is supposes to keep our immune function stronger and our bodies
less likely to be a Petrie dish for disease. I am no expert, please read up on this theory.

My best, D

Filters like this will remove the fluoride, add in ascorbic acid and the chloramine will be neutralized in about 30 minutes as well. You could also add in a reverse osmosis system as well. That will remove nearly everything leaving you with pure water.

Thanks, Megsmountain!
 

Thanks for this interesting thread!

I do pay attention to Dr. Wahls' research. I have her book, The Wahls Protocol, as well. Interesting recipes and three levels of protocol intensity, outlined in her book. www.terrywahls.com

I also follow the offerings of Sarah Ballantyne, Ph.D.
She offers information on an anti-inflammatory Paleo diet, as well as an autoimmune protocol (AIP).
www.thepaleomom.com

I vary my diet, while searching for the best protocol for me.
I may found I will always be making some changes.

Currently, I am juicing quite a bit, hoping to work my way into a 100% juicing fast, if I can tolerate going that far. Time will tell. ;)

My current green juice: Kale, broccoli, celery, cukes, spirulina, ginger, lemon. I sometimes allow green apple. I add a healthy oil.
My current carrot juice: carrots, cukes, ginger, a healthy oil.

I sometimes also make beet juice, which can be delicious. :D I have been trying to keep to the basic juices for now. I try to use mainly low-carb veggies.

If the sugar content of carrot juice raises concerns, adding purified water and a healthy oil to the juice can help with this.

Cuke juice is quite sweet and also adds volume to the juice.
"Juicing cukes" can often be found in bulk and usually cost less.
"Juicing carrots" can also often be found in bulk and usually cost less.

I add vegan protein to my green juice at some point in the day, to get all BCAAs, to help keep blood sugar stable, etc. I am currently using Nutrafusion's PlantFusion. More and more palatable vegan protein powders are becoming available. :D

I also add chia seeds and/or ground flax seeds and healthy oils to juice sometime during the day.
I rotate some ingredients throughout the day.

As per Diandra's post, I also enjoy chia pudding now and then.

As per Littlepaw's post, I have also found I do much better avoiding any food which causes a shift in circulation. (Coffee, alcohol, etc.)

Thanks, megs, for this thread!
Thanks to all contributors, as well!

:grouphug:
DejaVu