Being Sick Is So Corny!

It is that time of year again...flu season! Everyone hates getting sick, but what do you do if you are allergic to the medicine that is suppose to make you better?

For those of you who are allergic to corn, just about every over the counter medication contains corn, corn starch, or corn syrup. Cough syrup and cough drops have corn in them as well. Where do you turn for relief?

I found a delicious (is that really possible?!) cough syrup that is corn free at my local Whole Foods called Chestal Honey. It is corn free and wow, pretty tasty compared to those corny thick fake fruit flavored syrups we are all used to. It is also dye free, for those allergic to Yellow 5, Red 40, and others.

Look for an upcoming post about gluten free and corn free cough drops!

http://www.chestal.com/about/chestalhoney/

Sierra Mist is Corny?!

I don't drink a lot of soft drinks, but in a pinch or when I needed something sweet, the only mainstream soda I felt safe drinking with my corn allergy was PepsiCo's Sierra Mist. Most other mainstream sodas and sports drinks contain high fructose corn syrup or corn derived maltodextrin. Sierra Mist was the only mainstream soft drink to be made with real sugar... until now. PepsiCo recently added Stevia to Sierra Mist. At first, I was disappointed, as Stevia is 200 times sweeter than sugar and caused the new Sierra Mist to taste too sweet. Then, after having unexplained corn intolerance symptoms, I started thinking about Stevia and doing some research. Not even mentioning the nasty chemicals required to process this "natural" sweetener, it contains dextrose or maltodextrin, both corn derivatives. Seriously?? So much for the natural stevia plant that is good for you and better than sugar?!? The actual plant is ok, but be ready to grow your own or check store bought stevia ingredients carefully. 

What gluten free and corn free beverages are you drinking? I need some ideas!