What Could I Be Reacting To?

[IChaseFrisbees]

Hey everybody, I recently came home for winter break and have been completely in charge of what I eat (thank goodness!) I've been cooking myself a lot of chicken, sweet potatoes, rice, eggs etc., all things that appear to be gluten free. I've been completely clear of cross-contamination to the best of my knowledge, as I haven't been eating in restaurants or anything. I've been feeling a lot better in just a few days. However, I tried to make a protein shake that was recommended by people on this website who've used it before and I went off like crazy!

So, what could I be reacting to? I mixed Jay Robb's egg white protein (chocolate) with Blue Diamond unsweetened almond breeze (vanilla flavored.)

Protein powder:

Egg Albumin

Xylitol

Natural Flavor

Xanthan Gum

Lecithin

Stevia

Citric Acid

Red Beet Powder

Almond Breeze:

Purified Water

Almonds

Tapioca Starch

Natural Vanilla Flavor with Other Natural Flavors

Calcium Carbonate

Sea Salt

Potassium Citrate

Carrageenan

Soy Lecithin

Vitamin A Palmitate

Vitamin D2 And D-Alpha-Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin

I don't have any other allergies or intolerances that I know about, though I've given up dairy because I heard it could be another problem for a while. The protein powder is processed in a facility that also processes wheat, soy, dairy, tree nuts, shellfish, fish and peanuts.

I emailed the company before I tried it and they said they clean the equipment thoroughly, and no one online complained of having any reactions. So could I have a problem with soy, or do you think it's just CC? It's driving me crazy to not have a protein supplement.

Thanks for any insight.

[ksymonds84]

I emailed the company before I tried it and they said they clean the equipment thoroughly, and no one online complained of having any reactions. So could I have a problem with soy, or do you think it's just CC? It's driving me crazy to not have a protein supplement.

I completely understand trying to figure out what ingredient you are reacting to. I've been reading more and more about how people are reacting to xanthan gum and carrageenan. There is an interesting article on xanthan gum on the homepage of this website that you may want to read. I've stopped eating gluten free breads, goodies, soy, yeast and anything with xanthan gum and feel the best ever...but which one did it? I don't want to add anything back in yet because I feel too good.

The only soy I saw in your ingredient list was the soy lechithin and most people who are intolerant to soy can have soy lechithin. I hope you figure it out soon, I know how annoying it can be!

[RiceGuy]

If you react to corn, then I suppose it could have been the xylitol, xanthan gum, citric acid or a combination thereof. If I'm not mistaken, these things are commonly made from corn.

If you are sensitive to MSG, then the carrageenan might have done it, as it is often said to contain MSG.

Or, perhaps you are somewhat sensitive to eggs?

Perhaps try just one of the two drinks, and see if you react.