Oops, I Did It Again ...

[hathor]

Am I stupid or what?

I'd been putting it off because I didn't want to know the answer. Back at the beginning of this year I tested as intolerant to yeast. I took out products that listed yeast in the ingredients, but didn't notice any difference and so went back to them. Meanwhile, I never cut out wine or gluten-free beer. I mean, they take the yeast OUT, right? I even had done a little research and found someone saying reactions to wine by those who are allergic to yeast are rare. And I wasn't even allergic, per se.

I finally asked Enterolab. They told me yesterday that I should have eliminated stuff like wine and gluten-free beer from my diet. (I HAD asked them what I should eliminate in the beginning; they just said anything with yeast in the ingredients. I didn't do any followup ... like I said, I didn't want to know.)

So, I'm feeling upset yesterday. I love wine. We have several hundred dollars worth of fine wine on our wine racks, which took years of nagging to get my husband to put in But I do a lot of research yesterday to find out which drinks either aren't made with yeast or are so distilled it doesn't make it into the final product. Ah ha, I will drink VODKA, I think.

So last night I went out to one of my favorite restaurants and eat what I frequently get without difficulty. I order a Bloody Mary. I'm feeling glutened this morning ... I did some research and yes, some mixes contain gluten.

Does it never end? I've been making adjustments all year trying to get this right. I'm told soy lecithin is OK (I'm soy intolerant) but I find that I react to it. My magnesium supplement said it was soy free (even says so on the web site still), but the label now says it has soy lecithin in the glaze. So I cut out soy lecithin, desperately searching out dark chocolate that doesn't have it. (Hey, first things first. )

I'm still trying to get my mind around no beer or wine, and now I have to find something -- or more exactly, want to find -- something alcoholic that will always be safe. No gluten, no casein, no egg, no soy, no yeast. No animal fining products either, like from fish guts or gelatin.

Are there any suggestions out there? I don't like screwdrivers. I had vodka shooters exactly once and don't want to go there again Tequila is apparently OK, but I don't want that straight either.

I can't decide if this is a plea for information, a search for sympathy, or a rant. Maybe all three. I don't even know if I'm making sense, cuz the brain fog is settling in.

[Sugarmag]

Oh that sucks about the wine and gluten-free beer! I'm just starting to try wine again, as I can't have sulfites. I found most Frey organic or byodynamic are sulfite free. I honestly didn't even know there was yeast in wine! Anyways, before I discovered this wine, I tried Ciroc Vodka. It's made from frost grapes, and distilled 5 times I think. Super smooth taste! It's my favorite vodka for sure!

Btw, I can't tolerate any soy lecithin either. Whether it's actually in a food, or in lotion or something.

Also, Dagoba, Terra Nostra, and Chocolove all make some type of gluten, soy and dairy free dark chocolates!! That was the first thing I went hunting for when I cut out soy!!

Hope you feel better....

[jmd3]

As long as your stomach is up to citrus things...You can have a margarita mixed with Jose Cuervo - or Mrs. T's mix

My stomach can not tolerate any thing like that anymore.

[Nancym]

Hmmm... beer and wine should have the yeast filtered out. It's a single celled entity so it shouldn't be something that can escape filtering.

Yeast is everywhere, it floats in the air as spores. That's how they used to make sourkraut and other fermented things (sour dough), let some wild yeast settle into whatever you're making, it ferments.

I would think eliminating yeast would be about impossible.

[hathor]

From what I've now read, some of the yeast does escape the filtering. But distilled alcohol seems to be safe.

I'll guess I'll just have to see how I react. If I don't notice any changes it will be hard to continue ... My test result was an 11 and I don't know if there is a margin of error (10 and above is supposed to show an intolerance). I asked about the margin of error once and they never answered that part of my question.

The yeast sensitivity is to a particular type of yeast. I don't know that it is the type to be floating in the air. Since some people do avoid this yeast, or at least avoid reactions, it can be done.

Sugarmag -- how to you have that vodka? (I discovered that Trader Joes has some dairy and soy free dark chocolate too -- I'm a little scared with the CYA warning label, though)

jmd3 -- Do you find that all margarita mixes are OK? I would hope to find something that I can always have in a restaurant or bar and not worry. I would also be concerned if the bartender made the drink the traditional way with something like triple sec; I don't think those things are distilled, but finding good info on this entire subject is difficult. It seems like most of what I find is about avoiding yeast (and other things) due to a candida overgrowth, which is completely different.

If I can pick my mix (like at home), then having my preferred Bloody Mary won't be a problem. What the heck is gluten doing in there to begin with? Given how I reacted, I wonder if the bartender (or waitress) might have messed up too. The waitress said they had a special Bloody Mary-type drink made with their gazpacho. I said I couldn't have this because it contains gluten and I wanted a regular Bloody Mary.

[Sugarmag]

Sugarmag -- how to you have that vodka? (I discovered that Trader Joes has some dairy and soy free dark chocolate too -- I'm a little scared with the CYA warning label, though)

Sometimes I'll put it in a fancy martini type glass just chilled, with a twist of lemon/lime. (There's no way I could sip any other chilled vodka, just this one!) Or I like to put it in with a bit of cranberry juice, or pineapple juice. It's a bit sweeter than normal vodka, since it's from frost grapes. I just happen to like to mix it with fruity stuff.

I'd say go for it and try some dark chocolate!!

[dionnek]

How do you know you are soy intollerant? What are your symptoms? I'm just curious b/c I have these "episodes" where I start vomitting and D at the same time for several hours (happened this weekend) and I know I wasn't glutened, so am wonderintg if it could be soy (I ate a lot of soy and almond based products that night).

[jmd3]

jmd3 -- Do you find that all margarita mixes are OK? I would hope to find something that I can always have in a restaurant or bar and not worry. I would also be concerned if the bartender made the drink the traditional way with something like triple sec; I don't think those things are distilled, but finding good info on this entire subject is difficult. It seems like most of what I find is about avoiding yeast (and other things) due to a candida overgrowth, which is completely different.

I am not sure, I only know the jose cuervo, and Mrs. T are gluten-free for sure. IF there is any you want checked out see if there is a toll free number to call and ask. Find out what is used at the bar, perhaps they are using one of the safe ones. Most places use a Dailey mix around here, or a lemon juice with some simple sugar, the second of the two is gluten-free ,not sure about Dailey's brand.. You could talk to the bar and see what they use, and perhaps make a suggestion to carry jose cuervo for you.

I know that most bars use a 3 part santitation system (some only use a 2 part) when they wash glasses.....the first part just being a rinse, then the wash, then the sanitizing rinse. I would be very careful about this as well. Glasses containing beer would first be rinsed...thus having beer in it....but all the glasses go through the same wash system. Looking at that way of washing glasses, it totally scary to me now-a-days. (CRAP from the glasses would be in the first 2 sinks, then the sanitizing system.)

.

[hathor]

Sugarmag, that vodka sounds interesting. Is it commonly found in bars? And, I didn't mean to imply that the shared equipment warning actually STOPPED me from having some of that chocolate The only time Trader Joe items with the warning have affected me was with brazil nuts. (And who knows, I might be sensitive to them. This is the first time I had more than, say, 1 or 2 at one sitting. And the last )

dionnek, people have different symptoms from soy. It can be anywhere from dramatic to subtle. I never even suspected a problem until my Enterolab result came back. I didn't quite believe it, but went soy free to see. I then found that my bowels worked even better, I had fewer hot flashes (I'm menopausal), and my skin cleared up. My most noticeable symptom that I've been soyed is that my face breaks out. Not a bad rash, just some pimples. So I am one of the subtle reactor ones.

You might try a food diary if you haven't already. It sure sounds like you have a problem with some other food. Or you could try going soyfree or get the Enterolab test.

[Sugarmag]

Hathor, I've only seen Ciroc in a few bars. Then again, since I own & run my own business....I haven't been out much lately!! (Somehow after working 50+ hrs a week, all I can think about is plopping down on my couch when I get home!) I know I see it at just about every liquor store now, so it should be sort of mainstream out in bars/restaurants by now.

ps...I'm glad that didn't stop you from the dark chocolate!! I swear, I need my chocolate fix daily to survive!!

[hathor]

I just wanted to say I bought some Ciroc and tried it. I like it!

I also went out to a restaurant Saturday night and had a type of margarita that was just tequila, orange juice and a splash of cranberry juice and it was nice. On Sunday at a sport's bar I simply ordered tequila and orange juice. No problems -- & no concerns over what mix is being used.

So thanks to both of you

[nmw]

How do you know you are soy intollerant? What are your symptoms? I'm just curious b/c I have these "episodes" where I start vomitting and D at the same time for several hours (happened this weekend) and I know I wasn't glutened, so am wonderintg if it could be soy (I ate a lot of soy and almond based products that night).

I had the same episode with soy a few months back and that sealed my decision to quit soy. I've had good results with my skin and PMS since cutting out soy and dairy at the same time so not sure which is benefitting me most. I've never reacted so immediately and violently (in a gastrointestinal way, at least) to any food as I did the day I ate both soy cheese and soy ice cream.

I was told to stop yeast and alcohol due to inflammation of the stomach lining and IgG reaction to yeast, but always wondered why I felt so bad when I drank gluten-free beer, and sometimes, wine. Now I know.

[Sugarmag]

I just wanted to say I bought some Ciroc and tried it. I like it!

I also went out to a restaurant Saturday night and had a type of margarita that was just tequila, orange juice and a splash of cranberry juice and it was nice. On Sunday at a sport's bar I simply ordered tequila and orange juice. No problems -- & no concerns over what mix is being used.

So thanks to both of you

Well I'm glad you liked it! I was just reading in the news....Diddy, or P. Diddy, Puffy or whatever his name is now....is going to be the spokesperson for Ciroc! I'm sure a lot more places will have it soon now!

[kbtoyssni]

jmd3 -- Do you find that all margarita mixes are OK? I would hope to find something that I can always have in a restaurant or bar and not worry. I would also be concerned if the bartender made the drink the traditional way with something like triple sec; I don't think those things are distilled, but finding good info on this entire subject is difficult. It seems like most of what I find is about avoiding yeast (and other things) due to a candida overgrowth, which is completely different.

If I can pick my mix (like at home), then having my preferred Bloody Mary won't be a problem. What the heck is gluten doing in there to begin with? Given how I reacted, I wonder if the bartender (or waitress) might have messed up too. The waitress said they had a special Bloody Mary-type drink made with their gazpacho. I said I couldn't have this because it contains gluten and I wanted a regular Bloody Mary.

I was at one restaurant who added beer to their homemade margaritas!!! Now I get strange looks from bartenders when I ask whether there's beer in their margarita because it's a common thing at all.

There is one type of Bloody Mary mix that's gluten-free. Can't remember the name right now because I've never seen it in stores. I make my own from plain tomato juice.

[hathor]

Actually, I saw something in the news too about P. Diddy. His carrying on about how this was to be a "luxury brand" almost made me pass it up The stuff is nice, though. I just have to remember I can't drink it down like wine. I poured myself a full sherry glassful and decided I couldn't finish it.

Beer in margaritas? Eek!

I'm going to have to figure out a nice recipe for Bloody Marys. I wonder if that spicy V8 would work? Of course, I don't think I will use my luxury vodka in them

[hathor]

I was told to stop yeast and alcohol due to inflammation of the stomach lining and IgG reaction to yeast, but always wondered why I felt so bad when I drank gluten-free beer, and sometimes, wine. Now I know.

What all products were you told to avoid when you were told about yeast? Enterolab just said to avoid things with yeast listed in the ingredients. But someone on another thread says you have to avoid, among other things, grapes, fruit skins, and peanut butter. I've seen things like that online, but I just find lists related to Candida overgrowth or general yeast allergies (not intolerance to the dietary yeast Sacc. cer.). I've emailed Enterolab, but I'm curious about your understanding. It could be that my less than optimum results have been my confusion about how one deals with this particular intolerance.

I was thinking my problem after wine was because of the use of fining agents I am intolerant to, like casein and egg white. It didn't seem to happen all the time. But maybe some wines have less yeast left in them than others. Or I was reacting to both yeast and certain fining agents.

At some point I hope to have all this worked out I really hope, too, that it is my incomplete avoidance of certain items (just started avoiding soy lecithin recently) and not another intolerance that is causing the problem.

[nmw]

Hathor - I am confused about yeast as you are. There are the obvious sources of brewer's and baker's yeast, then there is the list associated with candida overgrowth, etc. Until I get my follow-up in a couple of weeks I am simply avoiding the obvious. It stinks that I get a letter saying to cut out x & y foods without explanation (which I know will come at the appt. but still...) or supporting information. I'll post when I know more! In the meantime I am consuming verrrry carefully. Perhaps the fining agents in wine are a problem for me too, as I'm dairy free at the moment. As Charlie Brown says....

Aaaauuuuggh!

[hathor]

I emailed Enterolab and will post their response when it comes. It is unfortunate your lab (and mine) didn't give much direction in the beginning.

I did have a bunch of grapes yesterday -- before I read someone saying that on a yeast-free diet one shouldn't eat grapes. I noticed that this morning I had a massive headache for no other reason I can think of, and my nightsweats were worse again (they had gotten better since I cut out wine).

Here is one list I've found by searching around:

Open Original Shared Link

I guess I like this one because it doesn't list peanut butter, vinegar, all alcohol, etc. It does mention grapes, though.

Here's an alcoholic drink ingredient table I found:

Open Original Shared Link

You can see that yeast isn't shown for all beverages. Tequila seems perfect. But I've read, at least for gluten, that distilling gets the allergen out. Ciroc vodka is made from grapes, but it is distilled (the bottle says) 5 times.

[hathor]

How frustrating. This is the Enterolab response:

"The yeast sensitivity test that we provide tests for bakers or brewers yeast. It is possible that other types of yeast can grown on foods such as grapes, fruit peels, etc, however this is not the same type of yeast that we test for. We do know that natural sugars found in many foods can excacerbate candida symptoms and that may be why this other person is avoiding these foods. We really cannot provide you with a list of foods to avoid. I am not sure, but some of the information you are finding on these websites may refer to food allergies, not sensitivities. They are two very different things."

Um, so what good is the test, if they can't give me a list? I guess I'll follow the list I posted, and then challenge myself at some point. I know I felt crappy this morning after having the grapes.