Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; Starch in Sweetners

I'm a newbie to this forum but have already gleaned a ton of great information. I am in the second day of trying to eliminate all starches from my diet. I've had AS for a little over 20 years. I take a variety of meds, including Enbrel injections and have been relying on "modern" medicine to take care of my pains.

Now after reading about the starch connection - I'm fascinated with the subject and the potential for relief after so many years of pain and stiffness!

My question is in regards to various sweetners. I haven't used sugar in many years, but have been using Splenda brand of sweetner. Now I just learned that it is made from corn starch. So I can throw that out. So what is the best sweetner with regards to a starch free diet? Do I just need to start drinking my coffee black? - yuck!

Any advice you can throw my way would be appreciated.

Thanks

Tommy

WELCOME, Tommy:

Glad to have You on board.

I have used 'the pink stuff;' Sweet and Low for many years with no known reactions. I think this is mostly lactose and since we can react to this it is sort of borderline, but I think it is the best option. After having eliminated starches for many months and achieving remission this way, you might be able to experiment with other sweeteners, since we use these so sparingly that we might be able to tolerate the normal small amounts.

Good luck to You, and we'll be here every step of the way,
John

I am not a sugar/sweetener/coffee person myself. Only time I do take some sugar is with licuados (fruit drinks here in Argentina that are exceptionally good). If make at home, use all natural sugar.

Other option can be honey for other recipes (does not seem to fit with coffee).

Best to you on the dietery changes. Any questions keep posting them.

Tim

Try Aguave Nectar. You can find it in natural/health food grocery stores, near the sugar. Its a liquid, like honey, but comes from a cactus, and tastes delicious, exactly like sugar. I order it by the case from amazon now.

Watch out for corn syrup used ased a sweetener in some drinks.

Tommy-
Great to hear you're giving the NSD a try! I've been helped tremendously by it. Read my complete post in "NSD Success Stories."
My Nutritionist recommended Stevia Rebaudiana leaf as a safe sweetener for my NSD. I've been using it for months with no ill effects. It comes under the brand name Kal Pure Stevia Powder. You can order it online at her website:
http://www.nutritionalconcepts.com. $26.99 sounds like a lot, but one jar will sweeten 2,381 cups of coffee!
Best wishes for continued success with your NSD!
Mike

You can buy liquid forms of splenda (diluted with water instead of dextrose) although they're difficult to find. There's one called Sweetzfree and another called... oh boy, mind blanked on the name. You'll have to search on the internet.

Thanks to all. You've given me some alternatives to go with for now.

Tommy

http://www.mercola.com/sweet-deception-aspartame

Info on sweeteners. Stay clear of em. Stevia is excellent, no side effects. If you need 'sweet' then stevia or honey.

Molly