Crohn's Disease Support Group

Guess what I found out today? Super-salty food incites a Crohn's reaction in none other than yours truly.

I can't remember the last time I ate out at a new restaurant. My usual haunts are places I've been eating at for years, so I'm well aware of what my body can (and can't) handle from their menu.

Today I selected items I figured would be healthy and delectable at one of the most highly-regarded restaurants in town. I was surprised at the noticeably high salt content of the food, but was distracted by my dining companions, and didn't pay attention. Twenty minutes later, I was curled up in the front seat of my truck (parked right in the middle of downtown with pedestrians undoubtedly wondering why a grown woman would be sprawled, clutching her belly, in her vehicle). I had to dash to no less than two nearby restrooms in the following hour. Then the fatigue hit. Classic Crohn's reaction.

Other than the high salt content, I couldn't detect any ingredients or components that I should have had a reaction to. The from-scratch stuff I eat every day from home-prepared goods is low-sodium, so either my system got shocked today...or high levels salt is a common Crohn's trigger.

Anyone else?

Wow, I haven't had that reaction to salty food. Just about every other food on the planet, but not salty. Salty is usually my friend! 20 min later sounds almost like food-borne illness in a healthy person - did anyone else eat the same & get sick? Were there any ingredients that you don't usually include in your diet but were part of the meal?

My most recent reaction like that was to part of a sub - made on a multi-grain bun. Multi-grain is not part of my regular diet because it freaking hurts, but I fell off the wagon 'cause it looked & smelled sooooo yummy.

My cardiologist wants me to limit salt intake, my GI says some salt in my diet helps me retain fluid during a flare, and all my other docs waver back and forth on the salt issue. Just recently I found out that my beloved over-processed junk white bread is saltier than some snack foods. (Beloved because it usually doesn't hurt to digest.) Sigh. I hope salty is not going to be a trigger for either of us!

Hugs, Cat

First time I heard that abt. salt. I guess it is the type of salt that is not your usual table salt variety.

Zaftig,

I'm going to run down the obscure route on this one. What led you to the high salt content in your food conclusion? The taste? server mentioned it? or something on the menu clued you in?

Only reason I ask is some dishes that are heavily spiced, but not necessarily salted, if overseasoned, can mimic salt. Jamaican Jerk and Cajun Blackened are the two that immediately come to mind. Both use alot of strong spices, but little salt. However if they aren't mixed correctly or overapplied, your food tastes like you're chewing a salt block. Just wanted to throw that out there as a possibility, that maybe its not salt, but some particular spice that threw you for a loop.

It was a combination of the taste of the food, as well as the dehydrating effect. I can't do Jamaican Jerk or Cajun Blackened at all, although I love 'em- they're both major Crohn's triggers for me.

I'm a food writer, so I sure hope I've got a pretty well-developed palate and can usually differentiate between spices and salt.

You know what I realized last night? I wonder if it they put MSG in their food, specifically the cup of smoked salmon chowder I had. The more I thought about it, the more I saw a link between yesterday's reaction, and the reaction I have after braving restaurant Chinese food.