Have I Lost Chocolate Too? Or Was It Cc?

[ButterflyChaser]

So... chocolate is pretty much the only treat I have left on my plate, since I react very badly to sugar - many people are diabetic in my family and I get reactive hypoglycemia if I have dessert, and a racing heart. I am, however, and have always been, a chocolate head.

 

I am also extremely sensitive to soy, which also gives me heart problems, usually extra-systoles, i.e. your heart starts racing like madness then seems to "stop" or "skip" a beat or two. It is frankly terrifying, and when that happens I can barely speak and need to lie down for a few hours, essentially disabled. This means I read labels obsessively when buying chocolate.  have/had a few brands that seemed ok.

 

The other night I made myself a little saucer with a few pieces of chocolate, each coming from a different bar. Yes, stupid, I know, but I usually am ok with those brands, and it seemed such a good idea as I plodded through a deadline

 

Within twenty minutes I was lying on the bed with a pounding pain in my chest which almost made me unable to breathe

 

What am I reacting to? Have I now lost chocolate? Has my soy reaction gotten worse? Or was some of this chocolate CC'd with soy?

 

What I had that night was some of Theo's chocolate (orange) which I have never seen using soy, Alter Eco (this is supposedly gluten and soy free, milk), and some of the 99% Lindt which does not list soy (nor gluten) as an ingredient but is not guaranteed against CC from equipment (I hadn't had problems with this beforehand). What could the culprit have been, and what should I completely avoid?

 

 

Thank you!

 

 

[GottaSki]

We - my son and I both had a reaction to Lindt during our early days, but I am not familiar with their current ingredients.

 

Also, If you are having a soy issue - most chocolate bars and candy have soy.

 

I didn't give up on chocolate without a fight -- turns out I do not have issue with plain old Hershey's Cocoa - so I make my own choc mousse and candy bar type substances -- maybe try some cocoa and see if it is chocolate or the other things that bothered you.

[Juliebove]

I would double check those things for soy.

 

I've made Christina Pirello's chocolate fudge recipe and it's great.

 

Mix together 1 cup nut or seed butter, 1/3 cup brown rice syrup, 1/4 cup cocoa, pinch salt, scant pinch black pepper, scant pinch chili powder, scant pinch cinnamon.  Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.  When I make this for myself I use peanut butter and a lot more walnuts.  I use sunseed butter for my daughter and add no nuts because she doesn't like them.  I pat it out into an 8" by 8" pan.  Chill for 3 hours before cutting into squares.

[dilettantesteph]

I would keep looking for chocolate.  It could easily be some sort of contamination.  Chocolate is too good to give up.  Just try one at a time next time, and start with just a little bit so you don't get so sick.  That being said, I couldn't find one myself, but I am extremely sensitive.  I don't think that I react to chocolate, just cc since my reactions to different kinds varied widely in strength.  There is a lot of processing in making chocolate.

[ButterflyChaser]

I would keep looking for chocolate.  It could easily be some sort of contamination.  Chocolate is too good to give up.  Just try one at a time next time, and start with just a little bit so you don't get so sick.  That being said, I couldn't find one myself, but I am extremely sensitive.  I don't think that I react to chocolate, just cc since my reactions to different kinds varied widely in strength.  There is a lot of processing in making chocolate.

 

I know, I am pretty happy with my restricted primal-ish diet, but chocolate is my last sin I had some Theo chocolate again and had some of the same problems, even if to a lesser extent. This chocolate is supposedly soy-free. I think I have to call the company for info...

 

I would double check those things for soy.

 

I've made Christina Pirello's chocolate fudge recipe and it's great.

 

Mix together 1 cup nut or seed butter, 1/3 cup brown rice syrup, 1/4 cup cocoa, pinch salt, scant pinch black pepper, scant pinch chili powder, scant pinch cinnamon.  Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.  When I make this for myself I use peanut butter and a lot more walnuts.  I use sunseed butter for my daughter and add no nuts because she doesn't like them.  I pat it out into an 8" by 8" pan.  Chill for 3 hours before cutting into squares.

 

Nice! What can I sub the rice syrup with? Sugar is a bit of a problem for me.

 

We - my son and I both had a reaction to Lindt during our early days, but I am not familiar with their current ingredients.

 

Also, If you are having a soy issue - most chocolate bars and candy have soy.

 

I didn't give up on chocolate without a fight -- turns out I do not have issue with plain old Hershey's Cocoa - so I make my own choc mousse and candy bar type substances -- maybe try some cocoa and see if it is chocolate or the other things that bothered you.

 

Lisa - may  I ask for some of your recipes? I am very close to start tempering and molding my own chocolate...

[Pegleg84]

I also worry about chocolate sometimes. I'm also soy intolerant and even a couple cocolate chips with soy lecthin will do it for me. I have found some very good (and not cheap) organic dark chololate without soy, but haven't seen any major brands that are soy free. I would contact the companies and double check (and let us know what you find out!). Lindt might be your first suspect for cc.

 

I sometimes get a bit of a head-rush after eating a couple pieces, but I think that's the caffein kicking in.

[Lady Eowyn]

Hi

I have to say very, very, very sadly  that I have problems with chocolate too  .

I assume it's the soy lecithin although is more likely a combination of that with sugar and the other ingredients  .

Have always been a milk chocoholic (don't like plain) so it is hard and I still have the odd piece and have tried lots of varieties - with no success .

It gets me rapidly - within minutes - every time .

I think part of it is also the fact it is a processed food   - just off for a little cry now ......

[GFinDC]

Carob is possible substitute if it turns out chocolate is a problem.  I think you could test using Hershey's cocoa powder.  If you react to that, it is probably a chocolate reaction.

 

It sounds like you have a pretty serious reaction to something going on.  Either chocolate or soy or gluten cc.  Of course it could be all three getting you.  There's no law against foods ganging up on us.  Or if there is they aren't paying attention to it.

[ButterflyChaser]

Lady Eowyn, I am sorry it feels that bad for you... (((hugs)))

 

I am emailing Lindt and hope to find out soon. I'll share the info as soon as I get something.

 

GFinDC - Just done the test: Hershey's cocoa powder is totally no problem for me. Nor are cocoa powders of other brands. So I assume it's not the cocoa but something else. But you made me smile with the gang allergy!

 

I wonder if it is normal that my reactions seem to be getting worse. Normally my bad reactions to some foods disappear if I am long enough away from it - my mum often tells me she had to bring me up on a constant rotation diet. I lost kiwis and pineapple years ago, then they became ok after about 10 years, and I can have a little every now and again. But since getting off soy, my reaction gets more violent with every time get soy-ed. Am I just paranoid or has this happened to others?

[GottaSki]

Hip hip hooray - cocoa safe deserves a happy dance - in my humble opinion

I will provide recipes over the weekend - am currently on mobile version.

[Lady Eowyn]

I'm going to give cocoa powder a try  !

[GottaSki]

Here is my go to chocolate recipe --

 

Chocolate Mousse

 

1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/3 cup cocoa
1/3 cup almond butter
1/3 cup agave
1/2 - 1 cup almond milk - still playing with this a bit
1 tsp vanilla
Blend well in blender - have not had the same results using a wisk or mixer.
Fill custard cups - refrigerate a few hours till set.

If you can't tolerate almond milk - coconut milk works too. I make simple almond milk with just almonds and water in blender - with or without the straining step used when you drink almond milk.

 

need to find my chocolate bar recipe....more later

[GottaSki]

Open Original Shared Link

 

here is a good one for chocolate bars...I use agave instead of stevia -- playing with this recipe led to my chocolate mousse type substance

[GFinDC]

Hi BC,

 

I think it is definitely possible for reactions to get stronger over time.  And it is possible to develop new food intolerances too.  Personally I think that is likely to happen when our guts are inflamed over a period of time.  But, regardless, having an irritated and inflamed gut is not good.  I stopped soy a while back and it took over a month to feel like the symptoms were mostly gone.  Sometimes things are a strong quick reaction but other times they can be sneaky and build up over time.  So going back to basics is a good way to find those kind of issues.  Eating a very simple diet of only whole foods for a while can help.  And eliminating the known common food problems and the top 8 food allergens.  Food troubleshooting is easier with a limited diet.  And slowly adding things back in.

 

Tanks Lissur!  Looks like I have something to do with my carob powder now!

 

Hi Lady Eowyn,

A simple way to test the cocoa powder is to get some mini marshmallows and throw them in a plastic baggie with some cocoa powder.  Shake it up well and you have chocolate covered marshmallows.  Takes a couple seconds to make them tho...  Trouble!   Fortunately that works with carob powder too.

 

[Lady Eowyn]

The recipe sounds delicious GottaSki  !

Haven't eaten marshmallows since a child but will give it a go - I have to say though, not feeling very hopeful.

Have had (supposedly) gluten free hot chocolate - cadbury's - (not for a while) as it gets me with a soy type reaction and palpitations.

 

Actually, (sorry, off topic) I have palpitations this morning - i think it's from breakfast. I had a small spoonful of white rice (first for ages) with scrambled eggs, slice of ham and green salad leaves. No rice is one of the most annoying things for me. Oh! did have a bit of raw onion  and have got a slight headache - don't say onion is giving trouble .

 

And thanks ButterflyChaser for the hugs!

[Delicion]

I'm thinking it could either be soy lecithin or the cane sugar in most chocolates.  For a chocolate treat, I like to buy these at a local health food store. Open Original Shared Link

 

Either that, or you could try making brownies or something chocolatey at home using honey and cooca powder.  Good luck!

[Pegleg84]

You can make your own hot chocolate with cocoa powder. Just add sugar and milk (I use almond milk. I've also had some very good hot chocolate with coconut milk).

 

Butterfly, my soy reactions have definitely gotten worse. I'm pretty sure I got soyed a couple weeks ago (oil?) and it took several days to settle down. Even tiny bits of lecthin will send my head spinning off. I'm holding out hope that my dairy tolerance might come back, but I have a feeling soy is gone forever...

 

But good that cocoa itself is ok!

[GottaSki]

. I'm pretty sure I got soyed a couple weeks ago (oil?) and it took several days to settle down. Even tiny bits of lecthin will send my head spinning off. I'm holding out hope that my dairy tolerance might come back, but I have a feeling soy is gone forever...

 

 

Hang in there Peg....I used gluten-free tamari to make my last round of salmon jerky and I DID NOT GET SICK!!!!  Granted I've been soy and other thing free for over a year and a half -- but it was a huge victory.  On the flip side I tried my first legume and thought it was ok...but overdid on day 2 and lost them again -- for now.

 

Ever hopeful that I will get everything but gluten back one day

[ButterflyChaser]

Lady Eowyn, raw onion does give me a headache.

Delicion - I know I do fine with something called "Gnosis chocolate." But I'll look into those as well.

GFinDC - I have been back to basics for a couple of days and do feel better.

Thank you for the Recipes GottaSki! I also have a French chocolate mouse recipe I should share. I'll probably end up buying cacao butter and a thermometer to try and make my own truffles...

[Pegleg84]

GottaSki, that's awesome! I will hold out hope, then. It would be nice not to have to worry about getting soyed, even if I can't go back to eating tofu.

 

In the meantime, it's expensive handmade organic fair trade dairy/soy/gluten free chocolate for me...

Oh, I also put some raw cocoa nibs in my cereal/gluten-free oats in the morning. Very good for you.

 

Glad you're feeling better Butterfly

 

Peg

[Zibby]

I did not see anyone mentioning this but I really like Enjoy Life Chocolate. I get it at a health food store. It only contains:

Evaporated Cane Juice, Natural Chocolate Liquor (Non-Alcoholic), Non-Dairy Cocoa Butter. I melt it and mix it with vanilla coconut milk or dark chocolate almond milk to make it fudgy.

The website is here: Open Original Shared Link

[ButterflyChaser]

Thank you, Zibby, and Peleg. By the way, Peleg, what brands do you get? In my case, soy seems to be a bigger issue than gluten itself (it looks like I have NCGS rather than celiac disease, thankfully), so I have even been doing fine with Michel Cluizel's chocolate, though I am not sure that would be ok for the many (or most sensitive) celiacs. Their bars have never given me a problem so far, but I haven't really had chocolate in the past few days.

[Pegleg84]

There's a couple small Canadian companies whose stuff I can get at some health food stores, but you would have to see what's available at your local shops. I use Enjoy Life for chocolate chips.

And yeah, soy hits me faster/harder than gluten often, so even trace amounts can bother me.