Symptoms...possibly an allergy to something in milk chocolate?

Question

This is a bit complicated, but I'm trying to get insight on what other things I can look at. So here goes...I can't eat milk chocolate. When I eat any more than a small bite, I tend to get sick. This only happens in the hours after eating any large amount of chocolate (and for me, large is anything more than one piece of Hershey's (not the whole bar! Just one of the segmented pieces), or one bar of something like Carmello (which is milk chocolate filled with caramel). It happens for usually no more than 4 hours after, but in that time, I almost always get nauseous, sometimes get muscle spasms, less often get numbness in my hands and feet (like, if I try to eat a whole bar of solid milk chocolate, like Hershey's), and very rarely have nerve sensitivity all over my body (anything rubbing or pressing against my skin bothering me, kinda painful, very irritating). So...I'm trying to figure out, what is this? An allergy?

More information coming...

More information:

I know I am not lactose intolerante (have dairy products all the time, and lots). I also know it is not the cocoa, as I eat dark chocolate, including 85% cocoa, all the time and never have problems with it. I do wonder if it might be the sugar content, because I have family history of diabetes, and get sick from very sweet stuff.

For now, my solution is to not eat milk chocolate, obviously, except the occassional -small- piece (one bite is all I can take). But I'd really like to figure out what it is that's causing this. A preservative? A colouring?

Any insight would be very helpful. I'm not so concerned that I want to see a doctor...I don't have insurance, and I don't go to the doctor unless I have to. It's preventable, by not eating chocolate, but I'm mystified by it, and also want to avoid anything that might trigger the problems.

Ideas?

Answer 1

It might be worth it to write down the ingredients in the milk chocolate and then compare them to other foods you eat without any problems. This might help narrow down what might be causing the reaction. At least you can still eat dark chocolate, that stuff tastes better anyways!!

Answer 2

An Allergy for sure.
Most likely an ingredient used in processing chocolate. Dark chocolate (which you said you can eat) is processed differently - in that they roast the cocoa bean differently than milk chocolate. Also it may be the oils or preservatives used in the process.
Now, do you have the same reaction if you made yourself a cup of cocoa using cocoa powder, milk and sugar?
If that gives you problems - then it is the sugar for sure - especially if your family has a history of diabetes.
What about artificial sweetners? Maybe if it is the sugar, then you may wish to see if you could have chocolates that are made with nutrasweet or spenda.

Answer 3

Most chocolate contains soy lecethin, a common allergen. That may be what you are reacting to. I cannot tolerate any chocolate because I am allergic to soy. You might try keeping a food diary (fitday.com or nutridiary.com) to see if other soy foods cause similar symptoms. Hope this helps

Answer 4

Is it only with chocolate milk or any dairy product? You might be lactose intolerant or allergic to chocolate.

Go see your Dr. He/She can perform an allergy test on you to figure out exactly what's causing your symptoms.

Answer 5

Yes. Allergic reactions tend to involve nausea, vomiting, numbness, tightness of throat/chest, difficulty breathing, blurred vision, and slurred speech... to name a few.

I'm afraid that one of the components of chocolate is causing your allergic reaction.

Read this:

http://allergy.health.ivillage.com/foodallergyintolerance/chocolateallergies.cfm

Answer 6

chocolate causes alot of wierd things to happen in the human body, it kills dogs... there are certain ingredients that could be messing with you, and it could be an allergy to cacoa as well, i would just stay away from it if i were you