splenda and carbonated drinks
#307146 - 05/13/07 06:40 PM
|
|
|
|
EmilyM
Reged: 05/13/07
Posts: 53
Loc: Chicago, IL
|
|
|
I've read that splenda bothers some people and not others. I don't think I've ever had a problem with it, but then again, I could never tell what was making me sick anyway. I don't know if I could give it up - I use it in tea, baking, oatmeal, etc. Also, I don't know how I can wean myself off of caffeine. I can't drink coffee (makes me sick immediately), but I do drink a cup or two of tea a day, and I have to have a diet coke at lunch or I get huge headaches. I've been drinking things like diet sprite in the afternoons instead of another diet coke, but now I'm reading that this may be bad too. I don't usually have problems with gas, just D, so could some carbonated drinks be ok? (Sorry this is long, I'm struggling with changing my eating habits 180 degrees)
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I just have to say that I'm fairly new to all these diet and lifestyle changes too. I definitely had a hard time with nutrasweet and I always thought I did better with splenda. Since giving it up, though, I've noticed a huge difference. I'm an IBS-A with lots of G & B, so carbonation is out totally! It makes me sad because I've been a coke/diet coke drinker all of my life. Now it's just water and mint tea and I can't believe how UN-gassy I can actually be. Maybe you can use less splenda and see if it changes anything. I know what you mean about giving up caffeine...way too hard, but weaning down to one cup of coffee in the AM has helped.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Oh you have so many no-no's in your diet. Please eliminate all possible triggers and that includes splenda, any artificial sweetner, tea, and pops or sodas, and dairy if you consume any.
There are other herbal tea alternatives to black, or caffeinated teas.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
help!!
#307155 - 05/13/07 08:41 PM
|
|
|
|
|
EmilyM
Reged: 05/13/07
Posts: 53
Loc: Chicago, IL
|
|
|
Oh man, this is overwhelming. I can try to cut down on caffeine, but does anyone know of a way to do it slowly? I get huge headaches if I don't have any caffeine in a day and that can be just as disruptive as the IBD symptoms. I bought some peppermint tea, but should I add regular sugar instead of splenda? I have some issues with insulin resistance so I have been taught to avoid sugar at all costs. Help - I'm so confused!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I prefer the peppermint flavor on its own with no sugar added. I used to drink all teas with sugar, but I've cut it out. Since you have insulin resistance issues, you should choose foods that are lower on the glycemic index. I'm don't know how you can gradually reduce your caffeine intake. I think you might have to quit cold turkey and deal with the headaches for a few days.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
How about switching to ice tea in the afternoons? That still gives you your caffeine fix without the soda. Do you use tea bags or loose tea? The way I switched to decaf was by switching to loose tea (it's usually a higher quality BTW). That way, I could use both regular and decaf in the tea infuser. I started out with 3/4 regular, 1/4 decaf, then a couple days later half and half, then a couple days later 1/4regular and 3/4 decaf, then a couple days later all decaf. It will take longer for your tummy to show improvement this way, but it was much more comfortable than going "cold turkey". I also did the same with Splenda. Every couple of days, I tried to add less and less, to get used to the unsweetned taste. I find that flavored teas are better unsweetened than plain black tea. I really like decaf Tropics tea from www.adagio.com for iced tea. It really needs no sweetener.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
You could try stevia to sweeten your tea.
www.sweetleaf.com
--------------------
If one end don’t get yah, the other will.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Is Stevia "safe" for IBS? I was reading that it was banned by the EU and Canada due to its questionable toxicity and that worried me...
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I'm right there with you on the coke. I used to drink 4-5 cans of coke a day and brought myself down to 1-2. When I finally gave it up a few months ago, I had the horrible headaches for a few weeks. Tylenol became my best friend. It's worth giving up though, remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I drink only herbal teas (with no sugar) and water now. The only other thing is a glass of cranberry-grape juice at night when I take my miralax. It's the only way I get it down.
--------------------
Susan
IBS-A, Gas, Pain, Reflux
"The first in time and the first in importance of the influences upon the mind is that of nature. Every day, the sun; and after sunset, night and her stars. Ever the winds blow; ever the grass grows."
Emerson, August 31, 1837
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Stevia is an herb, not an artificial sweetener. Can't see how it would be any worse than the "un"-natural chemicals we drink in our sodas  Google it if you want more info. I really like it myself. Any artificial sweetener really bothers me now. Almost immediately I get stomach cramps followed by D within a few hours if I have that stuff now.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
That does make sense...where do you buy it? Do you have to order it online? I looked at whole foods today but didn't see it.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
You can get it at a health food store.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I think decaf black teas still contain tannins which are bad for IBS.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hello,
Recently I have been on a kick of pure water with a splash of cranberry-grape or cranberry-cherry juice in it. I LOVE diet Coke, especially from McDonalds or any ff restaurant, but it is not too kind on the tum! Plain water is, well, just that...plain. The little bit of added juice to it gives it just enough flavor, and it goes down smoothly, especially when it is not very cold. I use two oz. of juice to about 16 oz. of water.
MeiMei
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Splenda makes me feel like I have a balloon in my tummy!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I have also found it at my Super Wal-Mart store, at a much cheaper price
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Tannins can be a bit tough for some people, but it's no more an IBS trigger than oatmeal or nuts. (That is, it's not perfectly safe, but most people can handle it.) If you feel fine with decaf black tea, keep drinking it!
My current herbal tea of choice is Celestial Seasonings Black Cherry Berry. You don't even need to brew it in hot water - just a teabag dropped into a glass of cold water gives you a nice sweet mild fruit drink.
--AC
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Splenda, especially in cold foods, gives everyone I know a case of the farts. It's not as evil as the sugar alcohols, but if I hear my husband farting, I know to ask "something with Splenda today?" 
--AC
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thanks for clearing that up.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
This is so strange - I never associated Splenda with any GI side effects. I'm still unsure if on balance it's better for me because of my insulin resistance, but when I eventually make a doctor's appointment I'll have to remember to ask about that.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Ooh I saw that kind in the store today and almost bought it. Sounds kind of summer-y. I never thought of making it cold!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Heather has a tea drink recipe in EFI, so I assume it's ok to drink.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Never said it was artifical.
More reading below.
http://healing.about.com/cs/uc_directory/a/uc_stevia_jones.htm
--------------------
If one end don’t get yah, the other will.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
My husband has diabetes (type II, diagnosed 2 years ago), and I think he eats more sugar than Splenda. He's found that if he gets enough fruits and vegetables and protein, then the occasional sugary treat really doesn't bother his blood sugar. (Note that baked potatoes, for instance, will drive up your blood sugar more than table sugar will!) He keeps his A1C under 6 while still having ice cream once a week when it's warm....
The only way to find out whether sugar substitutes are contributing to your IBS is to skip them for a week or so. You'll know pretty quickly - I thought I could tolerate dairy until I cut that out for a week and lost half my bloating and nausea!
--AC
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hey, I use stevia in my tea, it it works well. It's really sweet, though, so one small packet (the size of a sugar packet) usually lasts me 4 cups. I found it in packets at Whole Foods. You have to look in the vitamin and supplement section. They usually have sales associates floating around who can help you (trust me, I've asked them quite a few myself after wandering around the aisles aimlessly, hehe). Good luck in finding it!
Julie
--------------------
"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thanks - I am feeling better but it's hard to know exactly why because I cut out so many things at once. Still, I'd prefer this to being sick!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Duh! I didn't even think to look there!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
No worries, like I said, it took me a bit to figure it out. Luckily if you wander around enough one of the sales associates usually notices and takes pity on you and asks you what you are looking for, hehe.
--------------------
"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Quote:
Is Stevia "safe" for IBS? I was reading that it was banned by the EU and Canada due to its questionable toxicity and that worried me...
There are some political agendas driving the objections to Stevia; also, it is IMO dreadfully expensive. The best thing, would be to do the research and make an informed decision.
Personally, I am able to use Splenda with no problems. You might consider eliminating it for a few weeks and then adding it back in to see if it is a problem for you. Good luck!
--------------------
Check multiple sources and make the best-informed decision possible!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
