Not Kidding

I accidentally drank some diet soda yesterday. Didn’t mean too but was tired, not paying attention and grabbed the wrong bottle.  Also didn’t notice until I was halfway done that I had just drank something I really shouldn’t drink.

Why is this a problem? Aspartame, the chemical more popularly known as Nutra Sweet, makes my joints swell.  Really, not kidding about this.

I hate artificial sweeteners for this reason and for a number of other reasons. Saccharine causes cancer, so why even risk that one??? Sucralose, which goes by the brand name Splenda, causes me to have stomach cramps. Found that one out the hard way when I drank  something containing that sweetener for a few weeks (years ago) and ended up doubled over in pain.

Then there is my archenemy, Nutra Sweet.  I think this is the most commonly used artificial sweetener on the market. I have known for years that it makes my joints swell up.  If it is mixed with the artificial food coloring that makes things red, I really become ill.

The reason I mention all this, besides that my left hand is swollen today, is that people make food with artificial sweeteners in it thinking they are being helpful.  It doesn’t bother them and it has less calories than something made with sugar so what is the harm? Well the harm is that everyone is different and artificial anything (sugar, fat, etc.) can hurt people whose bodies can’t handle those kind of chemical compounds.

Sometimes I can taste artificial sweeteners and stop myself after one taste. I still might feel a small side effect from that one taste but it isn’t as bad as when I ingest a huge amount of the stuff.  But sometimes I can’t taste it, end up consuming bunches and end up like I am today. Swollen fingers, no manual dexterity and pain whenever I try to close my hand.

I know someone who can’t have gluten.  Actually pretty much everyone in her family can’t handle gluten.  So she has to have special food at all functions and she is very careful to make sure that her kids don’t consume anything with gluten in it. I understand how she feels.  Gluten doesn’t bother me but that doesn’t mean I’m going to offer her food that has gluten in it when I know full well her body can’t handle it.

I wish there was a way to generate some understanding so people will comprehend what a huge issue this is for those of us who can’t ingest certain items. But I guess unless someone experiences it for himself or herself, it is hard to make people have sympathy or care. Sort of like people don’t appreciate good health until they experience a major illness.  Then, and only then, do they value the joy of living.

It is ultimately my responsibility to make sure I don’t ingest things that will make me sick. Hopefully, after this current bout of the side effects, I will be more diligent in what I consume. I usually am until I slip up again.  Or forget to ask the important question of “does this contain any artificial sweeteners” then have to endure the looks of people who think I am just being finicky when, in reality, I am not kidding.  I just can’t have that stuff.  Really… not kidding.