Tomato or not Tomato

What was once good for you may not stay that way forever. Such is the case with tomatoes and me. I used to eat them like they were apples. "Pinapapak ko lang," as I would say in Tagalog (I would snack on it). Then there's ketchup - which I pour on almost everything, including pizza (am I the only one that does this?). As I got older, I noticed that my body could not digest tomatoes easily the way it used to. I would get acid reflux and heartburn. And now that I have IBD/Ulcerative Colitis, it is one of the foods that I avoid during a flare. The seeds, the skin, and the acidity of tomatoes can be the culprits since they can irritate the intestinal wall. It can also be because of a chemical called solanine. Some plants, like tomatoes, have this chemical, and it acts as the plant's natural defense system; it helps ward off insects and diseases. While some people with a healthy digestive system can tolerate this chemical, others may not - and as a result, they experience gas, bloating, diarrhea, and even joint pain. I have not taken tomatoes entirely off my diet (unlike popcorn which I will save for another story), but now I only have them in moderation - like one meal a week, and I try to avoid the seeds as much as possible. I make sure I allow my digestive system to "rest" or take a break by eating gut-friendly foods and drinking lots of water.

Are you able to tolerate tomatoes? Or does it also cause you discomfort?