Protein Bar/Powder Allergy?

[Tresses]

Strange thing happened to me tonight, that when I think about it, has actually happened a number of times in the past, I just never put two and two together.

After my workout tonight, I drank a cup of GNC Vanilla 100% Whey Protein shake. Before I even finished the glass, my lips began to hurt, and I realized my mouth felt bruised and my throat felt "fuzzy." Nothing scary, in fact, as I said above, this has happened before. I made the connection to what used to happen when I would eat protein or soy bars. I had assumed the bruised feeling had something to do with the weird textures of the bars, but now I'm thinking it may be an allergic reaction. This was my second protein shake, BTW, and tonight's reaction was worse than any I've had. Within a few minutes I had stomach pain. I recall this from the past, too, but it wasn't as bad then, and I guess I attributed it to the sugar alcohols in those bars.

My daughter has severe allergies to walnuts and pecans. We've been to the ER several times because of it. My symptoms sound very much like hers, which also get worse each time. I took some benadryl and it did help.

The ingredients of the GNC powder are:

Proprietary Protein Blend (Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Hydrolyzed Whey Peptides), Artifical Flavor, Lecithin, Salt, Acesulfame Potassium, Cellulose Gum, Zanthan Gum.

Contains: Soybeans and Milk

What in that list is from soybeans? Isn't whey a dairy protein? I've never had problems with dairy. (Cheese is my best friend. ;))

ETA: The lecithin could be soy, and I just found out that whey is the liquid that's discarded after the cheesemaking. So I could eat cheese without difficulty.

I've had this mouth soreness sensation when eating certain foods in the past (usually snack foods, IIRC, but I'm not sure), and always assumed it was a texture thing, but with the prevalence of soy oil in everything I'm wondering if I have a sensitivity or allergy to soy? I don't recall any problems with mayo or salad dressings, though. ETA: I just read that people with soy allergies usually don't have problems with soy lecithin or soy oil. But I don't recall any problems with Chinese food, except that I love it too much.

Or is it possible to be allergic to a particular whey protein something or other, but not have a reaction to dairy in general? (There are three "whey protein XYZ" up there.)

Tonight is the worst I've ever felt with these symptoms, and it finally made me think allergy. I won't be having protein powder or bars anymore, and I will take more notice of ingredient lists to watch for reactions to any soy ingredients; but does anyone else have any knowledge of or experience with this?

Many thanks. :)

[Cinnamon Blue]

Lecithin can be made from soy. As for "Artificial Flavour", unfortunately that could be anything. :(

Cinna

[Tresses]

Lecithin can be made from soy. As for "Artificial Flavour", unfortunately that could be anything. :(

Cinna

I did just discover (and edited my post immediately before you posted) that lecithin could be soy. But thank you for posting. :)

Yeah, "Artificial Flavors." That's helpful of them. :rolleyes:

I'm researching whey and soy allergies. What joy.

[Mitra]

I get the same reaction sometimes - tingly mouth, lips, itchy throat immediately after eating something. I think it's raw/lightly cooked egg yolk that does it for me, but it seems it doesn't always happen, so it can be hard to pin down.

[ruthla]

Cellulose gum could be from any one of a number of different plants (cellulose is plant fiber.) Plus, those highly processed forms of whey could be processed completely differently in your body than whole milk and cheese. You could be allergic to a chemical that's present in minute quantites- residues from processing. "Hydrolized whey peptides" sound extremely processed!

[Tresses]

You could be allergic to a chemical that's present in minute quantites- residues from processing. "Hydrolized whey peptides" sound extremely processed!

It sure does. :suspicious:

Yesterday, the kids were having cheese curls with lunch. (We have developed a curious tradition of buying a bag of chips to have with lunch on our way home from church on Sundays. :suspicious: ) I luuuurrrrve cheese curls, so I weighed out 1/3 of an ounce at 4ECC. My little treat with lunch. :rolleyes:

I started having those symptoms again, only not as bad (I hardly ate any) and most notably the stomach pain. I wondered what was in the cheese curls and grabbed the bag to read the ingredients: whey. How on earth can I be allergic to whey, but not milk? Granted, I can't tell you the last time I drank a glass of milk, but I use half and half in my coffee every day. Almost 1/4 cup with the amount of coffee I drink daily.

I've been googling and found references to the stomach pain caused by whey - and a friend told me yesterday that some people react that way to it. He suggested mixing it with milk instead of water. Well, that's too many carbs. Also, there is that mouth and throat reaction I have. I'd prefer to avoid anaphylaxis!

On the other hand...I've eaten Morningstar Grillers before, and they contain "cultured whey." I don't recall any reactions to those.

Weird.

[ruthla]

"cultured whey" sounds like the leftovers from cheesemaking- a far less processed product. Maybe you're only allergic to the highly processed stuff or a chemical residue from the processing.

Or, maybe you've developed this allergy since the last time you had the MS grillers. Who knows? But my guess would be something in the processing, since you're having half and half in your coffee, not heavy cream. Half and half is half milk, half cream, and contains enough milk proteins to cause an allergic reaction if that was a problem food for you. Cream only contains trace amounts of milk proteins.

[deirdra]

Whey is a common allergen. I start sneezing and wheezing if I just breathe in the same room as some whey protein powder.