Ingredients

[Mya]

Does anyone know for sure if artificial flavors and colors are safe? I had a sugar-free jello, noticed it has artificial flavor as an ingredient and my stomach hurts! Am I imagining things??

[celiac3270]

Artificial flavoring may or may not be safe. Jello is, however, made by Kraft Foods, which means that if "wheat" or "rye" or "barley", etc. does not come up on the label, it is not in the product. If there is, for example, wheat in the artificial flavors, it would be written as follows: artificial flavors (wheat). I happen to remember, also, that Jello is gluten-free.

[Carriefaith]

I only eat Jello made by Kraft because like celiac3270 said, they will clearly indicate gluten on the ingredient list if it is present. I wouldn't trust those cheaper brands unless you (or someone else) called the company to make sure they are ok.

[KaitiUSA]

Yeah what was said before me is correct. I would call about it if it is not a brand like Kraft which will not hide gluten.

[celiac3270]

Wow--Kaiti, I just saw the change of signature (diagnosed with Graves Disease March 16th). I'm not familiar with it--what led to the diagnosis (were you having symptoms) and what....is it, basically? Thank you....

[KaitiUSA]

Yeah sounds worse then it is though I don't know why they call it Graves... sounds like I'm going to die or something. It's a form of hyperthyroid. I just had fatigue then when I would stand up I would get a drop in blood pressure and increase in heart rate. I was also cold and heat intolerant. It wasn't persistent symptoms it was on and off symptoms(very occasional) but were recommended to see an endocrinologist after my thyroid test came back slightly off. Its at beginning stages so I don't even need meds yet. At least my symptoms of celiac are gone and I feel good now. She told me that it is common among celiacs. I also got some blood drawn for my adrenals and I will post when those come back too. Thanks for asking celiac3270 I'm glad you are feeling better since your surgery

[Mya]

Thanks guys, it is Kraft, so I guess it's OK... I've only been gluten-free for 3 days, and I think I am expecting my stomach to be perfect right away!

[celiac3270]

Yes -- in the beginning you want to feel better so badly that you expect it will happen within a week...then within a month....it all varies, though...many start to feel better within the first month--some people take much longer (4-7 months).

[megzmc3611]

I notice you mentioned that the jello was "sugar-free". Perhaps the artificial sweetener in it bothered your stomach? Some sugar-free products tend to upset my stomach...(not from gluten contamination but from the artificial sweetener used).

[Carriefaith]

I notice you mentioned that the jello was "sugar-free". Perhaps the artificial sweetener in it bothered your stomach? Some sugar-free products tend to upset my stomach...(not from gluten contamination but from the artificial sweetener used).

I think you are right... I have recently noticed that Jello upsets my stomach... so it must be the artificial sweetner.

[celiac3270]

Yes--artificial sweeteners can do that--in particular, Splenda, which can cause gastrointestinal symptoms (such as diarrhea) that are similar to those of celiac disease even though Splenda is gluten-free--and it can cause those symptoms in anyone (celiac or not).

[megzmc3611]

I know this is getting off the subject of this post..

But has anyone tried Stevia? It is suppose to be the most natural of the calorie-free sweeteners...with no artificial additives...

Does it cause gastrointestinal discomfort like the others (splenad, nutrasweet, etc.)

[celiac3270]

It's gluten-free....and I think basically any artificial sweetener could (Splenda, Equal, Sweet 'n Low, Stevia, etc.)

EDIT: Oh...didn't read the whole post ....no artificial additives? Hmm...somebody else might know.

[KaitiUSA]

I use stevia. The box says no saccharin,nutrasweet,aspartame,refined sugar,maltodextrin,fructose,artificial sweeteners of any kind

I use Stevia Plus and Stevia Clear. It says it is safe for diabetics and hypoglycemics as well. I for one like stevia and have had no trouble at all. Nutrasweet used to give me headaches. There are different brands that manufactur stevia. I use sweetleaf brand. I know there was one of their products that was not gluten free but the rest was so I would advise you to just check with the manufacturer to make sure.

[skbird]

I got migraines from aspartame and splenda so don't use them at all. I think stevia is great. You can get a bunch of different kinds so be careful because some have fillers in them, which help for dosing but not so much if you're sensitive to the filler.

You can find:

powdered stevia leaf (green and doesn't blend well with drinks but is good in tea, baking is possible but not the best application, but does have all the natural elements)

powdered straight stevia (it's white, mixes well, is VERY concentrated - you can dip a toothpick in it and sweeten your cup of coffee with what sticks to the toothpick)

granulated stevia (usually with fillers like erythritol, FOS/inulin, maltodextrin, even lactose - works the most like real sugar)

stevia extract (in an eyedropper bottle, may contain alcohol, works great in drinks, smoothies, etc)

I usually have a few kinds on hand. I got the powdered leaf because I thought it was intriguing but it doesn't seem very practical. Just the idea of it being the least processed seemed cool. I also have a stevia plant - wow! Also, the more "raw" the stevia, the more you'll taste a licorice-type flavor. No prob if you love licorice. I use the liquid extract in my smoothies every morning and like to use the granulated (Stevita is my favorite brand for that - uses erythritol) because it tastes the most like sugar. I have some of the powdered straight stevia and I mix it with other things sometimes to get the right sweetness. If you use too much, it can taste bitter.

Fun stuff, takes some playing around with and there are cookbooks for it that will tell you the whole story of it's controversial life.

Stephanie

[Boojca]

I was just told, on another board, that artificial flavors/colors aren't bad, but it's the natural flavors/colors that can contain gluten.

I get headaches when I have too much artificial sweetener too. I know just how far I can push it (aka, how many diet cokes I can have before I have to stop...)

Katie, I have hypothyroid too. Mine came on just after the birth (probably caused by the birth, actually) of my son. I just could not get out of my own way, but I chalked it up logically to being a new, first-time mother. I've been on a low dosage of synthroid since and feel great. I just was told by someone on another board, though, to be cautious of things like peanut butter bc there's something in that that irritates thyroid disorders? Did you hear anything about that from your ENT? My primary doc diagnosed my thyroid, so I never had to see a specialist.

Bridget

[KaitiUSA]

Mine is actually hyperthyroid which is a bit different then hypothyroid. Hyper over produces and hypo under produces. Nevertheless they still both fall under thyroid. I was never told to avoid any foods because of my thyroid. I know peanuts and soy can make your thyroid sluggish so if you have hypothyroid you may be told to eat them in moderation. Are you on meds for it?