Beware of the sugar-free treats at Preludes

[jfletcher]

Just got back from the Magic to Mexico (7/6-13) and will be posting a full report shortly, but wanted to first get this out there...

Our kids ate the goofy sugar-free gummies at the theater and got sick. Three of the four kids in our group ate most of a bag, and all three got sick (2 diarrhea, one vomit). The fourth kid was fine.

I imagine you aren't supposed to let one kid eat a whole bag (the bag was maybe 1.5 cups of gummies), but I'm sure mine is not the first to eat more than his Dad told him he could. I said to DS5: "Don't eat the whole bag or you will get a tummy ache." A little later he handed me the empty bag and said: "Sorry, Dad, they were so good."

Probably my fault for not watching him more closely. Anyway, just wanted to issue a heads-up so that others don't make our mistake.

As I found out later, this is a common side-affect for the specific sugar substitute in these things.

Other than that, we had a great cruise! Full report to come...

 

[LIFERBABE]

Yes, I was going to say that excessive amounts of Xylitol is known to cause loose bowels.

Thanks for the warning

 

[Selket]

My younger son is a type 1 diabetic so I'm familiar with the sugar-free stuff and we avoid it for the most part - especially candy. The sugar alcohols is what caused the horrible diarrhea and other issues - it affects some people more than others.

And to top it all off the sugar free stuff is just as bad for you as the regular stuff - the carbs and calories are usually about the same (if you're a carb counting diabetic). Maybe the effect on the teeth is less but otherwise I'd encourage anyone to avoid the sugar free candies and baked goods if they contain sugar alcohols.

 

[jfletcher]

Afterward, DD9 said: "Why do they put something else in instead of sugar if that's worse than the sugar?"

I couldn't answer

 

[Pluto 2]

your body has to get use to sugar alcohol. if you eat too much and your not use to it you are going to be in trouble.

 

[Valencia Joe]

As a side note, Xylidol (sp) is also known to be deadly to dogs. Affects their kidneys or liver (I forget).

 

[Dsnylndlvrs]

Hi Jfletcher - so sorry to hear about the kids getting sick! Another thing to think about - I also got sick, as did a couple other people I know of, and was required to stay in our stateroom for the remaining two days of the same cruise, so there was something going around the ship. (I didn't have any goodies from Preludes )

Anyway, I hope the kids all started feeling much better quickly!

 

[jfletcher]

Anyway, I hope the kids all started feeling much better quickly!

Ironically, I think DS5's day of "quarantine" was his best day on the cruise. He basically had either me or my wife all to himself the whole day.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Yes, I was going to say that excessive amounts of Xylitol is known to cause loose bowels.

Thanks for the warning

Xylitol is also known as Ex Lax. Most SF candy contains this or some dervative I believe. I think Xorbital also a form of constipation aid. My advice would be just to stay away from SF candy period unless you're physically required to(like diabetics).

 

[Donna3271]

Just got back from the Magic to Mexico (7/6-13) and will be posting a full report shortly, but wanted to first get this out there...

Our kids ate the goofy sugar-free gummies at the theater and got sick. Three of the four kids in our group ate most of a bag, and all three got sick (2 diarrhea, one vomit). The fourth kid was fine.

I imagine you aren't supposed to let one kid eat a whole bag (the bag was maybe 1.5 cups of gummies), but I'm sure mine is not the first to eat more than his Dad told him he could. I said to DS5: "Don't eat the whole bag or you will get a tummy ache." A little later he handed me the empty bag and said: "Sorry, Dad, they were so good."

Probably my fault for not watching him more closely. Anyway, just wanted to issue a heads-up so that others don't make our mistake.

As I found out later, this is a common side-affect for the specific sugar substitute in these things.

Other than that, we had a great cruise! Full report to come...

Thanks for the post. Yes, those gummies often have sorbitol in them, which is a laxative, and causes severe gatstromical distress. My husband is a Doctor, and has several diabetic patients who eat alot of things with this in it, but they build up a tolerance. Sorry your children got ill!!!