Eating apples/pears/fruits with the peel and IBS-C
#222693 - 11/02/05 06:33 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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Hi guys and gals. I was wondering how many of you can eat the apples and pears with the skin? Do you bake them?
I ate my first unpeeled gala apple yesterday with lunch. I had a worse than average night, and again this am I don't feel quite right. Had my thin stools like you get with spasms.
I don't know if this is a coincidence or if it was the apple. Does it take time to adjust to eating the peel? Or is the first time enough to know if you can handle it again? I'm trying to get more IF in my diet...but don't know if this is the way to go. Maybe I didn't have enough SF beforehand. I had about 3 grams fiber from Acacia and one piece white spelt bread beforehand. (In the way of IF, I also had a serving of zucchini and one piece of brown spelt bread with this).
Should I keep trying to eat the unpeeled apples in hopes of just adjusting to the fiber content?
What were your experiences "the first time"  .
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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How many servings of fruit do most of you eat? Do most of you stick to cooked veggies and limit fruits because of the fructose factor? And are the servings SF fruits or IF or a combo? Examples of a day with fruit would be helpful
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I'm talking more gas, and bloat...I didn't think that was possible! 
Maybe it was just a coincidence? I've had these times before the unpeeled apple incident.
Thanks everyone!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I eat apples (pears less often - mainly only when my dad sends me some for Hanukkah) with the skin most days for lunch. I'm pretty stable, though, and will go instead for something softer if I'm feeling crampy or on the verge of instability.
The only time I limit fruit is if I've been eating a lot of sweet things - more of an avoidance of "sugar shakes" than an IBS or fructose thing.
My daily fruit schedule really depends on the seasons! Now that it's fall, I'm in a routine of banana for breakfast (along with the tiny amount of fruit in my soy yogurt), apple for lunch, and veggies for dinner. My husband has been having apples with peanut butter for dessert, so I'll grab a slice or two of that after dinner.
--AC
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Perhaps your experience was due to it (the apple) being a new food?
I personally cook mine and find that helps, tons.
I eat as much fruit as I'm in the mood for. I love mixing fruits and veggies!
Kate, IBS-D.
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I'm too afraid to do the unpeeled apples and pears too! I had one bad experience and have never tried it again. I don't know what to tell you about trying it again or if this is something you will get used to the more you do it.
Maybe someone can enlighten us both, I hope.
As far as how much SF you ate with the IF...I don't know that either. Sorry...I'm just hoping someone can help us both!
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AstroChick
#222756 - 11/02/05 10:26 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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Do you think I am eating enough SF with the meal to eat the fruits with the peel? What "softer" fruits do you turn to when feeling "unstable"?
Do you think I should try this "experiment" again? Maybe it is the higher levels of fructose in these two fruits. Both are high on the fructose amount!
What else do you eat when you eat your unpeeled apple?
Thanks for sharing any input! 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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When you say being a new food, are you suggesting that my body might get used to it over time?
I would definately cook and peel if I was D like you, but I'm a pretty chronic C! 
I know cooking helps break down the fructose sugar. Maybe that's the key? This is so frustrating for me.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I cook them half peeled (vegetables or fruits) into rice or something like that. I boil them until they're just going soft.
Is that very effective for a chronic C?
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...to leave them unpeeled and then cook then thoroughly or puree them or both. Peeling actually removes IF, while cooking, pureeing, etc just minimise it's effects (i.e. make it safer). With C you want as much IF as you can get, but as safe as possible.
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If you haven't been eating apples for awhile, then YES, it's going to take awhile to re-learn or adjust to digesting/breaking them down.
Do, perhaps, try cooking/peeling them. A mother cooks an apple for an infant--you'd cook a vegetable to make it digestible/safe for yourself to consume, would you not?
Kate, IBS-D.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Beth, I have an apple and pear at the beginning of lunch every
day. I just eat some of the peel, right now I'm up to eating
half the apple peel and about a quarter of the pear peel which
I think is much tougher than the apple peel at least these
pears I get are. Although they're not as bad as banana peels. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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After you've had your SF source. Or do you just use your SFS as your SF source and not food?
Bartlett pears have thinner skins than Bosc. I think I will try eating half with skin and half without and see how that goes. That's what Heather recommended too.
Do you also cook your apples/pears?
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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It's all individual. Why don't you try eating just a small apple after what you consider a very safe meal? Or maybe have a regular-sized apple cut into wedges, and just leave one wedge unpeeled? Obviously, you're not in a comfortable state, and there's no reason to make yourself feel anxious about making huge steps. Decide on a small step that *feels* small to you, and do it. Half the battle is convincing your gut that you're not trying to hurt it... 
--AC
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I am still wondering if you, personally, think I am eating enough SF with the meal to eat the fruits with the peel? And what "softer" fruits do you turn to when Do you think I am eating enough SF with the meal to eat the fruits with the peel? What "softer" fruits do you turn to when feeling "unstable"?
Also, what other foods do you usually eat with your apple?
I plan on trying to eat 1/2 peeled and 1/2 unpeeled and maybe cooking it...although I prefer to eat them raw. You don't cook yours do you?
Sorry so many questions. I just think you are on the right track and can teach me so much. I gotta start those Hypno CDs!
My gut must be deaf, because it isn't listening to me...or it's being stubborn and ignoring me!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Hi Beth, I have a pear, then an apple, then a soy yogurt,
and some oatmeal cookies or bread, and with it I drink some
citrucel with acacia in it. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Oh, so if I eat a fruit completely without the skin, then I would still be getting IF? Just safer?
I thought that it would constipate me more that way, and I also heard of people cooking them with the skins on.
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I did an experiment--it works and is SO GENTLE. It's based on Linz's suggestion re: cooking the pear and then pureeing it, leaving the skin intact.
It's so gentle and blends very easily. (I did it with an Asian Pear--NOW those have TONS OF FIBER!!! Aie caramba! My next inspiration is to make pear/kiwi or pear/strawberry sauce. It's fast and it's easy and well...it's up to you.
Did I also mention that it is delicious???
Well, it's definitely a sensual delight.
Kate, IBS-D.
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I think it might be better to drink the citrucel first, then eat the bread or oatmeal cookies and soy yogurt before the fruits (or at least before the pear).
But if this works for you, great! I just thought if you still were bothered, it would be best to eat the IF fruit last.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Seriously, Beth...FOOD PROCESS THEM!!! The likelihood of cramps decreases. If you want the IF from the peel, then leave it on--food processed, it will be much easier to tummy and MORE SOLUBLE.
(I made a wicked Asian Pear/Strawberry sauce and left the peel on to see how it would go--no problem, so long as it's food processed! Note, in an evil D phase, I wouldn't do it.)
If the skins cause problems then DON'T eat them. Seriously, it's not worth a belly ache.
But holy SF in those Asian Pears, ROTL!!!
Kate, IBS-D.
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Again, I think it's an individual thing. My most recent lunch meal was a pumpernickel bagel with hummus, followed by an unpeeled apple. That was just fine for me, but my IBS (mostly C, going to D with anxiety or too much fat over several days) probably isn't the same as yours! Heck, my IBS is different on different days: what I was eat and do right before my period is different than what I eat afterwards.
What I use as a guide is remembering what I felt like before Heather's diet when I would eat bran cereal for breakfast and raw carrots for lunch (sometimes good, sometimes way crampy). I can then compare it to how I feel on a pure SF diet (no cramps, sorta backed up if it goes on too long). So if my gut feels a little overstimulated, then I up the amount of SF. If my gut feels all lazy, then I try to add more IF to the middle and end of my meals and/or increase my exercise and herbal tea intake (or even have some non-decaf Earl Grey - that's my laxative substitute ). The big thing is that all of these changes are gradual because it does take a while for everything to react. Now, making these changes is as intuitive as drinking more water when I'm thirsty.
The hypno CDs are a great idea.
--AC
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Beth, I didn't think it would make that big a difference, but
maybe it will.I haven't been feeling bad after eating lunch,
but there sure is room for improvement, so I'll give it a try.
Thanks for the suggestion. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Re: oops
#223289 - 11/05/05 08:54 AM
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Alli
Reged: 04/23/05
Posts: 195
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I think I read your post too fast.
Cook them with the skin's on, but just puree them. Okay. That just means cutting them up, yes? How small must I chop them. I don't have any fancy kitchen knives or anything.
And is there any fruits that must we must avoid with the skin's on? What about potatoes?
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Are they expensive? How big is yours and can you recommend a brand/model good for one person? Maybe a mini processor of some kind would work?
I still worry about the fructose levels in pears and apples. Both of these fruits were listed very high on the "most irritating to the GI system" fruit list I was reading.
Have you ever tried eating fruit raw? Cooking everything is such a pain, and they taste so much better fresh and not all cooked to death and soggy. It's also easier to throw an apple in my lunch bag in the am for work than to bake one for 40 minutes. I'm usually running late as it is! But I will do anything to feel better.
Thanks, Kate.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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If you have a microwave at work just bake them on high for
about five or six minutes. My Dad does this and suggested it
to me. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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If you bake them, could you eat them with the peel on or off?
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Food processors are not all that expensive. It's an investment. Look at how much you are suffering.
No, I generally do not eat raw apple. However, I love dehydrated organic apples as a snack, sometimes. I will eat raw fruit if it is ultra-baby finely sliced, i.e. via food processor. Actually, I've got to try making fresh raw apple sauce, sometime soon! I like fresh, raw juices but they're not a good option for me lately.
Make applesauce! It packs ultra-easily. Or buy it. Honestly, if the skins bother you, than DO NOT EAT THEM and just don't bother worrying about it ever again. Eat them raw if you want, but take a knife with your lunch!
Honestly, you're worth the investment.
Kate, IBS-D.
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I bake them in the microwave all the time! A great dessert or quick snack, breakfast/lunch/dinner addition, etc.
Bob is right. Usually about 6 minutes on high will do the trick!
They're delicious (although, I confess, I HATE those kind, lol! Give me a Honeycrisp or Fuji or Gala or Mutsu and I'm happy. Even a Granny. Oh dear, now I feel like Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" when she ends of in the orchard.)
Kate, IBS-D
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Nope, I eat them raw unless I feel ambitious and make applesauce (yum!). I haven't eaten much cooked fruit recently, but will probably start nuking up oatmeal and frozen berries as the days get colder... 
--AC
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Alli, Oh I would think so. The peel is certainly softened a
lot. It tears real easy and is easy to chew so I think it
satisfies Heather's requirements for eating IF. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Honeycrisps
#223368 - 11/06/05 07:46 AM
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Johnny T. Reb
Reged: 07/09/05
Posts: 987
Loc: Lake Linden, Mich in the U.P. IBS-C
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Hi Kate, Yeah, I just discovered honeycrisps lately. I was
eating braeburns for the most part, and then these honeycrisps
that looked really, and they tasted really good! They're a bit
pricey up here, even coming from Wisconsin no less, but they
are worth it! I didn't really notice any honey like taste
though, but they are much 'crisper' than the other apples I
have tried. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Wait
#223379 - 11/06/05 08:44 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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You eat an apple and a pear both for lunch? That's a double dose of IF. Do you eat the skins on both of them? Or half the skins on each? Are you cooking yours?
I thought you were eating a banana with either the pear or the apple.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Re: Wait
#223387 - 11/06/05 09:28 AM
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Johnny T. Reb
Reged: 07/09/05
Posts: 987
Loc: Lake Linden, Mich in the U.P. IBS-C
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Beth, According to the Northwestern fiber chart, a 3 inch
diameter pear has 2.2 g's of SF and 1.8 of IF which is all in
the skin. I only eat maybe a quarter of the skin and with the
apple at most half usually a bit less depending on how I'm
feeling.Also, according to that chart a 7 inch banana has only
0.7 g's of SF and 2.1 of IF. That's why I switched, plus the
fact that Cyndy said bananas have been rumored to constipate. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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I like Fuji's best! But those Honeycrisps are becoming rivals!!!
Lol! There's an apple for every mood, every purpose!
Kate, IBS-D.
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Confession: I love them and they love me!
I note, however, that the greener ones are the constipating ones.
I eat them when they're brown/spotted...for me, they're in they're prime when they're perfect for banana bread, i.e. black. It's terrible, but I buy bananas at least a week ahead for the next week.
Lol! Pointless ramblings, I know.
Kate, IBS-D.
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Either your apple or your pears?
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Hi Cyndy, Uh no, I haven't tried yet. I probably should, there
is a microwave in our department lobby. It sounds like a good
idea with the weather getting much colder here. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Hey, Bob! THEY are so so so good cooked. Try it with some winter squash or sweet potato or carrots or beets, perhaps for a quick HIGH SF dinner/lunch. I puree mine and it's decadent. But even baked, I'd go for an apple or pear before I'd go for a potato.
I'll bake it and have a warm waldorf, even or use it as a dressing.
Homemade apple/pear sauce is higher in SF, incidentally...and the next day it is so custardy and even better.
Sorry, it's turning into my favourite dessert.
Kate.
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A little information from a druid healing site.
http://www.herbalhealer.com/microwave.html
Try not to use Microwaves to often.
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If one end don’t get yah, the other will.
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why bother? They taste better fresh, IMHO (sorry Kate! I know you love your sauces).
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Well, I think so, but they could causing gas.I frequently burp
a lot after lunch, but then again I burp after breakfeast and
I don't eat them with it. I do like to eat more hot stuff when
it gets cold though. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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