Splenda: Don't eat/drink too much

[flamingyouth]

My husband, the normally tough-as nails Mr. Youth, has been ill for almost two straight days now after drinking a bunch of the Talking Rain fruit waters (with Splenda) that he got free at work.

Worse, he accused MOI of cooking something that would make him ill (as if) so I asked him to detail everything he's eaten and drank for the past few days. Well, this Splenda thing sent up a red flag for me, since I read about it causing "digestive problems" a while ago.

Just be careful if you decide to drink or eat any of this stuff. A man with stomach problems is never a pretty sight.

[kutastha]

1. I have some every day

And noticed no problems nor GI disturbance at all.

[flamingyouth]

2. Maybe it's just him

Or maybe it's that he drank too much of it. I did read something about digestive problems caused by it. All I can say is that he's been sick as a dog...

[arwalden]

6. I Sweeten Four Cups Of Coffee A Day With Splenda...

... haven't noticed anything bad yet.

Is it supposed to be binding, or loosening (like Olestra)? Or is it just cramps and gas?

-- Allen

[flamingyouth]

7. I'd say it's "loosening" on him

Oh, ye gods, it has been awful to be around him these past few hours. You'd think he was dying.

Maybe he's allergic to it?

[arwalden]

10. Are you certain the two events are connected?

Has it happened before? --- I doubt that he'll want to experiment later on to see if he can duplicate the effects (to find out for sure if that's what caused it.)

Good luck! That definitely doesn't sound like he's a happy camper.

-- Allen

[flamingyouth]

11. It's the only thing he & I have not eaten together

We eat all meals together. He even comes home for lunch, which I've made for him (gawd, I know I'm so pathetic... Martha Stewart, eat yer heart out).

When he mentioned this Splenda drink, I thought back to my mother, when she ate an entire pint of ice cream with Splenda back on the first day of the Iraq war. She too became incredibly ill, but we all thought that * made her sick as usual. I really think he might have an allergy or something. I know I can't eat NutraSweet - makes me barf. Who knows!? Glad that you can eat it, though - a no-cal sweetener is always a good thing!

[Malva Zebrina]

3. there are some sugar substitutes that do cause

digestive upset--they are called sugar alcohols. Those on the Atkins diet know what I am talking about. Maltitol is one of them --it is usually used in dietetic chocolate candy or other candies that advertise they are sugar free--they can do a number on you--very bad. I have used splenda quite a bit and never noticed anything unusual--on the other hand, some people have allergies or sensitivities to foods that others do not-

[elfin]

4. Never had a single problem

Have been using it for two years. Love it and has really helped keep the weight off.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. It's not the SIGHT part of stomach problems that's a bummer

It's much worse on other sensory organs :evilgrin:

[flamingyouth]

8. Well, fortunately it's been warm enough to keep a window open

and a candle burning!

Other than that ... UGH! You're right, m'dear!

[FireHeart]

9. I tried Splenda with Iced Tea...

and I've developed some nasty digestive problems. I think it's just one of those things that affect different people in different ways. Just like that Olean (sp?) cooking oil. Some develop horrid digestive problems, others have none whatsoever.

I've discontinued use of Splenda and things have improved somewhat. But I still have some problems.

[flamingyouth]

12. Splenda is sucralose

Which is chemically different from sugar, although they market it as being derived from sugar. I just Googled "splenda" and "diarrhea" and came up with a bunch of hits, most of which mention the fact that absorbed sucralose has been found to concentrate in the liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract. I think that for some people it's clearly not a problem.

I swear, my husband can eat *anything,* while I have the constitution of a wet paper bag. He must have some weird reaction to sucralose, that's all I can say.

In the meantime, I think I'll stay far away from the stuff, knowing me....

[MojoKrunch]

13. Been consuming Splenda without problem for months now

and kinda wished it had a "stool softening" effect... sigh, damned Atkins constipation.

Actually, the only candy bar I eat uses it, De-Lite bars, and they warn about a "stool softening effect", but so far I'm getting nothing from my lemonade.

He must just be sensitive to it.
I know I'm that way about Nutrasweet(makes my long term memory wobbly) and MSG(gives me wicked headaches).

Other than that, I'm the same sort of "can eat anything" kinda guy(hence the Atkins diet... lol)

Mojo

[MojoKrunch]

14. Is that like Olestra?

Oh man, I remember when the Lays chips cooked in that stuff first came out... just reading the disclaimer was enough to make me ill.
lol

Mojo

[arwalden]

15. I tried to be brave. I ate Olestra chips...

... I even weighed out one serving on my digital scale to make sure that 14 chips (+/-) was an ounce.

Within an hour, I had the WORST and most painful stomach craps I can ever recall. I didn't get the diarrhea that the label warned about... just painful cramps. (Women? Is that what it's like for you? Ouch!)

== Allen

P.S. I called Frito-Lay to complain and give them comments. They asked me for the UPC and the expiry date... then mailed me coupons for 2 free bags of anything else I wanted instead. Nice!

[flamingyouth]

16. Olestra

I'm not sure that's even available much anymore.

Certainly the "may cause loose stools and/or diarrhea" warning may have been somewhat, er, detracting to the buyers of the food! UGH.

[arwalden]

17. Actually... foods that contain Olestra are not required to warn us anymore

Ain't that some shit? -- Literally!

-- Allen

[flamingyouth]

18. I just haven't seen them lately

For some weird reason, I thought Olestra was off the market.

Well, if you could see me, you'd realize that I'm not all that concerned about fat - LOL - but I wouldn't touch that with a 10-foot pole!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

19. My mother gets headaches from Splenda

I've had no problem with Splenda, but Maltitol gives me the rumbles and has.

Your husband may be allergic.