Food products that might be making you sick – Omaha World-Herald (blog)

As more foods and supplements are being altered to meet the demand for healthier products, some people are experiencing side effects that are less than ideal.

Do you deal with frequent headaches or gas and bloating? What about more severe side effects, such as loose stool and abnormal bleeding?

Know what youre putting in your body. Below are food products that could be causing you distress.

Protein powders

With protein in the diet spotlight these days, more and more food companies are using whey or soy protein powders to load their products. Breads, pancake mixes, cereals, granola bars, protein bars and even ice creams are being beefed up with protein powder, providing us with an abundance of supplemental protein.

The problem with this fortification is not the increased protein intake, but the stress it puts on the digestive system. The processed quality of these protein powders, particularly the isolate forms, can cause uncomfortable gas and bloating.

The typical U.S. diet is not protein deficient, so to manage these symptoms ease up on the protein-fortified products. Eat foods that naturally contain whey protein such as low-fat cottage cheese and milk, cheese, and Greek or natural yogurt. Edamame, tofu and tempeh are natural foods that provide soy protein.

Sugar alcohols

If you drink or eat something sweet with zero calories, chances are it contains sugar alcohols. Because these non-digesting sweeteners are versatile and provide a very likeable flavor, they are in a variety of products. A small portion of sugar alcohols does not seem to cause harm, however in higher quantities they can lead to gas, bloating and even loose stools.

If you have been struggling with an upset stomach or gas and bloating, check the ingredient lists of everything you eat and drink. Look for words like mannitol, xylitol, erythritol and sorbitol, and start cutting back on the products that contain these sugar substitutes to relieve your symptoms. About 8 ounces of a 0-calorie drink seems to be an amount most people can tolerate.

Herbal mixes or proprietary blends

The Food and Drug Administration considers supplements, including those with herbal mixes and proprietary blends, to be non-food items. Therefore, there is no government regulation on these products. Herbals have been used for centuries as treatment, but in the wrong combinations or concentrations they can bring on negative health effects.

During my years of nutrition counseling, I have seen the discontinuation of certain supplements relieve chronic or frequent headaches, increased blood pressure, symptoms related to dry mouth and excessive bleeding from minor cuts and scrapes.

Before taking any supplement, make sure you know exactly what you are putting in your body.

Consult your physician with any concerns.

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Food products that might be making you sick - Omaha World-Herald (blog)