Avoiding Carrageenan and other Gum ingredients
#370490 - 10/20/13 09:29 AM
|
|
|
|
|
sam245
Reged: 10/20/13
Posts: 2
|
|
|
I haven't yet seen anything about avoiding carrageenan and other stabilizers like carob bean gum, xanthan gum, etc. When my nutritionist recommended Heather's Tummy Fiber, she also told me to stay away from alcohol sugars like manitol and sorbitol, and carrageenan and anything that says gum. It turns out they are in nearly everything! Pre-packaged hummus, some heavy creams, whipped cream, ice cream, frozen dinners, deli meats that are packaged, etc. It's been a challenge to find non-GMO foods that don't have these ingredients in them.
Thanks to the tummy fiber, I am finally regular and aside from some occasional gas and bloating, pain-free. The other day I ate something with carrageenan in it to see what happened. That was the first time in months that I felt more than mild stomach pains and had to go to the bathroom multiple times that day without warning. I just wanted to post this as a suggestion if anyone is still experiencing digestive issues and to see if anyone else has heard any research about these ingredients, especially for those of us with IBS.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
You can read about the problems with sugar alcohols and other foods in the first two links in my signature. For more information on carrageenan read this post
--------------------
STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thanks! Must have typed carrageenan wrong when I searched.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Okay, that's what did it, Carrageenan. I thought so. I usually have my decaf black, but yesterday I had a lot of coffee with soy creamer (I'm dairy intolerant), and this morning, the first thing I had was decaf with the creamer. I was fine beforehand, but the minute I had just a few sips, BAM! Cramps, nausea, and vomiting, following by more of the same. Bear in mind that I have been IBS symptom-free for years, so this morning came as a shock. I checked the ingredients on the carton of soy creamer, and, sure enough, it contains that nasty name. Needless to say, no more cream in my decaf! Thanks for the heads up, Sam!
--------------------
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Bevvy,
I am surprised that you can handle decaf! Isn't all coffee bad for IBS??
--------------------
Originally diagnosed with IBS-C in Spring, 2008. During spring to fall of 2008, had at least 10 acupuncture treatments and Chinese herbs. IBS went into remission. IBS returned in late July 2013 after taking 2 oral contrasts for a CT scan for cancer follow up. Had more acupuncture with different practitioner in summer 2014, but received little benefit.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Yes, that's right, but I found that only caffeine bothers me (a LOT); I can tolerate decaf. But I can also tolerate a lot of IBS-unfriendly foods, which is why I have so often questioned all my docs' diagnoses. In fact, for the past few years I was sure I didn't have IBS after all. I discovered, once I gave up all "nasty white stuff" (bread, pasta, sugar, flour, crackers, potatoes, rice) that I used to believe was good for my IBS, I got sooooooo much better, actually back to my pre-IBS self, with no more morning vomiting and debilitating cramps, that I concluded my problem wasn't so much IBS but an intolerance to gluten and dairy. Yet there are still so many nasty unfriendly food additives I can't tolerate either, such as sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol -- well, any "tol" -- HFCS, artificial sweeteners, etc. -- and now carrageenan.
Bottom line, in answer to your question: I remember Heather telling me some 11 years ago that I would never get better until I quit the coffee, including decaf. So, no coffee is the rule. (With me, not so much, just no carrageenan in it.) I'm doing a LOT better now that I'm drinking it black.
Thanks for your post.
--------------------
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
Posts
