Anyone Have Problems With Caramel Coloring/ Or Soda?

[Luvbeingamommy]

I am trying to pin point something that is still bothering me. I am really thinking it might be the soda I drink. I LOVED my pop/soda let me tell you, but I've really cut back to almost none. I am kind of trying it and seeing how I feel, but we just got back from vacation, so I am waiting for my, "system" to clear.

[kareng]

Weren't you going to W of Fun? How did that go? I find the carbonation of pop bothers me before and still. I think I also have a problem with artificial sweeteners to a small extent. Full strength pop usually has high fructose corn syrup which is hard for many people to digest at least some of the time.

[Luvbeingamommy]

Weren't you going to W of Fun? How did that go? I find the carbonation of pop bothers me before and still. I think I also have a problem with artificial sweeteners to a small extent. Full strength pop usually has high fructose corn syrup which is hard for many people to digest at least some of the time.

Overall it went really well! We packed a lot of snacks to eat the wof and oof, ate a big breakfast, so that worked out really well.

We hit Waldos Pizza, which was excellent!! I am thinking I got a margarita there, it was a mix and she showed it to me, and I didn't see anything. After we got back I realized it wasn't on the safe list and my husband thought it was. I paid for that the next day in the bathroom. We also ate at PF Changs, which I think went okay. I think I got sick from McDonalds fries or PF Changs, who knows what.

It was challenging, but not as hard as I thought it might be. Just glad I packed a lot of snacks for us .

[kareng]

Probably not PF Changs. My neighbor is in charge of them and he's pretty strict. The McDs around here are not always as good as they should be. I do think the key to travel is to pack filling snacks. I only have gluten-free beer at Waldo pizza. Glad you liked them.

[Luvbeingamommy]

Probably not PF Changs. My neighbor is in charge of them and he's pretty strict. The McDs around here are not always as good as they should be. I do think the key to travel is to pack filling snacks. I only have gluten-free beer at Waldo pizza. Glad you liked them.

You are smart! I should've just stuck with a gluten free beer, never been much a beer person though. I miss being able to order a margarita anywhere . I loved beer and clamato, which is out too. Oh well, could be worse!

I was really impressed with PF Changs gluten free menu though, well and Waldos too!

[tmbarke]

I am trying to pin point something that is still bothering me. I am really thinking it might be the soda I drink. I LOVED my pop/soda let me tell you, but I've really cut back to almost none. I am kind of trying it and seeing how I feel, but we just got back from vacation, so I am waiting for my, "system" to clear.

I stick with Coke or Pepsi - RC is not safe. I was an RC fanatic until I had some after gluten-free and got the reaction big time!

McDonalds fries are coated with flour - don't think fast food fries are on the safe list....I opt for Wendy's baked potato instead.....with chili.

Good luck on fighting the good fight

T

[sandsurfgirl]

Caramel coloring doesn't have gluten but that doesn't mean soda is good for your digestion.

Funny thing, since I went gluten free soda tastes like soap to me. Can't drink it at all. The only one I can have is the all natural Hansen's.

[ravenwoodglass]

I have no issue with Pepsi. Can't stand Coke as it was my Mom's remedy for stomach issues so that was the only time I ever drank it. Warm and flat.

Caramel coloring is considered safe even if it is derived from gluten ingredients. I do choose to avoid it though in everything but pepsi.

[psawyer]

McDonalds fries are coated with flour.

This is simply not true. They are not coated with anything.

[codetalker]

This is simply not true. They are not coated with anything.

Have you read the info on the MacDonald's site at:

Open Original Shared Link

If you click the link for "Nutrition", the following will display along with other info:

Ingredients: Potatoes, vegetable oil (canola oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor [wheat and milk derivatives]*, citric acid [preservative]), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain color), salt. Prepared in vegetable oil (Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness). Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent.

CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK *(Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients).

As you pointed out, there is no mention of flour. However, there appears to a coating of other ingredients. As a result, it may not be correct to say they are not coated with anything at all. Correct me if I am mistaken.

[Ahorsesoul]

The Great McDonald's fry debate. I love it. I do know that different countries have differently made items in their places. So McDs fries here in the US may be coated and else where they may not. Last time I check with our local Wisconsin McDs, they were coated but that's been several years ago.

[psawyer]

The debate about McDonalds fries has been ongoing here for more than four years, and I have followed it very closely.

Ingredients derived from wheat and milk are used to make a flavor (in the US only). This flavor is added to oil in which the fries are partially fried at the factory, before being frozen and shipped to the stores. Once there, they are fried again in dedicated fryers which fry only potato products. Although gluten is detectable in the flavor, the final product his been independently tested and no detactable gluten was found.

Read all the information, and make a personal choice that is right for you. To me, the risk of CC at any fast food outlet is a much greater concern

[Ahorsesoul]

But back to the question. What kind and brand of soda are you drinking? My dd was drinking caffiene free root beer at work and having lots of problems. Turned out it was not gluten free.

[codetalker]

To me, the risk of CC at any fast food outlet is a much greater concern

A hearty Amen to that!

When I was going to school, I worked in an environment like that. As a result, I was familiar with what happens behind-the-scenes. In the establishment where I worked, we had dedicated friers. The BIG catch was that the oil has to be periodically cleaned (strained to remove bits of food that fell off during cooking). We did this by straining the oil through big coffee filters. Needless to say, we used a single filter to clean all the oil from all the friers (i.e. each frier did not get its own dedicated filter). Further, straining requires two containers (pour the oil from A through the filter into B ). When people are tired and just want to get home, the oil doesn't always remain dedicated to a particular frier. Bottom line, although we could honestly say we had dedicated friers, that clearly was not the complete story.

Normally, I stay out of debates such as this which a previous poster called "The Great McDonald's fry debate". However, your post got my hopes up. Week before last, I was out doing bird photography in an area that apparently was one Michelle Obama would call a "food desert". There were only fast food joints and every time I passed a McD's, I thought how nice it would have been to tempt the fates and get some fries. Oh, well.

[codetalker]

But back to the question. What kind and brand of soda are you drinking?

I've sworn off soda. My gut does not handle sugars very well. I'd rather drink water and have a happy gut. Boring and unappealing, I know.

[Looking for answers]

Geez, just reading the process of how McDonald's fries are made (partially fried before being fried again?!) horrifies me!

[butterfl8]

Coming up on my one year marker, I'm down to no soda. Have tried to determine if it was the 'evil' high fructose corn syrup vs. natural sugar sodas, but both seem to bother me equally. I miss that afternoon pick-me-up. Just my thoughts.

I can't have soy anymore either though, so that lets out all but two dishes at PF Changs. They are good ones, though!!

Best of luck.

-Daisy

[Luvbeingamommy]

A hearty Amen to that!

When I was going to school, I worked in an environment like that. As a result, I was familiar with what happens behind-the-scenes. In the establishment where I worked, we had dedicated friers. The BIG catch was that the oil has to be periodically cleaned (strained to remove bits of food that fell off during cooking). We did this by straining the oil through big coffee filters. Needless to say, we used a single filter to clean all the oil from all the friers (i.e. each frier did not get its own dedicated filter). Further, straining requires two containers (pour the oil from A through the filter into B ). When people are tired and just want to get home, the oil doesn't always remain dedicated to a particular frier. Bottom line, although we could honestly say we had dedicated friers, that clearly was not the complete story.

Normally, I stay out of debates such as this which a previous poster called "The Great McDonald's fry debate". However, your post got my hopes up. Week before last, I was out doing bird photography in an area that apparently was one Michelle Obama would call a "food desert". There were only fast food joints and every time I passed a McD's, I thought how nice it would have been to tempt the fates and get some fries. Oh, well.

WOW, I never even thought of that. Yes, fast food is hard and I am finding I am very sensitive, so I just might not be able to handle fast food. My 2 1/2 year old was getting terrible D everytime he ate at McD's, just having the fries and cheeseburger with no bun. I had to say no, my grandma liked to take them once a week. I feel bad, I will let him have the ice cream or yogurt, but that is it. It has to be something making us sick though, I really think so.

I feel you though, I did so good all vacation and we were on our way home and I wanted something besides a sundae. I kind of was afraid too, but yeah not worth the risk.

Thanks for the info on the pop, I am really laying off it for awhile, so time will tell. I've thought about the corn syrup being the culprit too.

[jerseyangel]

I love soda, but only have it as an occasional treat. I drink Boylan's Cane Cola which is made with sugar and not hfcs. I found that once I switched to a more natural soda, the ones with hfcs started to taste harsh. I loved Pepsi and now it tastes too acid to me.

[Luvbeingamommy]

I love soda, but only have it as an occasional treat. I drink Boylan's Cane Cola which is made with sugar and not hfcs. I found that once I switched to a more natural soda, the ones with hfcs started to taste harsh. I loved Pepsi and now it tastes too acid to me.

So can I find a natural soda with caffeine?? I've had them before and I like them, but I need the caffeine *hides*.

[jerseyangel]

So can I find a natural soda with caffeine?? I've had them before and I like them, but I need the caffeine *hides*.

I completely agree--I find cola without caffeine flat. Boylan has caffeine--Whole Foods has it.

[Luvbeingamommy]

Ohh awesome, I never knew that!! I will have to get some. I am not loving the taste of regular pop for some weird reason anyway. I quit drinking diet, because of the artifical sweetners and then regular just doesn't taste so good. Thanks!

[Skylark]

So much sugar in regular sodas though! There's 3-4 tablespoons worth in each can. I like to drink the unsweetened lemon or lime flavored carbonated water you can get at the grocery store. Perrier brand is wonderful, but the store brands are cheaper. It has a nice bite and I can dodge the sweeteners/sugar issue altogether. Sadly, they're not caffeinated.

[jerseyangel]

Yeah, the sugar is the reason I only drink them occasionally. Way too much for everyday where my drink of choice is spring water. My usual caffeine fix is a cup or two of tea with organic fat free milk.

[ravenwoodglass]

So much sugar in regular sodas though! There's 3-4 tablespoons worth in each can. I like to drink the unsweetened lemon or lime flavored carbonated water you can get at the grocery store. Perrier brand is wonderful, but the store brands are cheaper. It has a nice bite and I can dodge the sweeteners/sugar issue altogether. Sadly, they're not caffeinated.

That's my usual choice also. In addition the store brand ones I get here are so much less expensive, like 69 cents a liter instead of $1.79 or more for sugared soda. I just drink my nice strong coffee in the morning and if I need more caffeine I'll drink another in the early afternoon.