I have a horrific intolerance to artificial sweeteners and all forms of corn syrup. Even a little can cause horrific nausea and vomiting, and the one time I tried an energy drink not realizing it contained a synthetic sweetener along with actual sugar, I ended up hospitalized for dehydration. Doctors’ appointments have left me with only “Avoid them,” so I do, like the plague.
However, forms of corn syrup and artificial sweeteners are everywhere these days, so I have to be really careful, and I always ask when trying a new restaurant. Over time, I’ve gotten a lot of reactions from people who don’t believe my intolerance is a thing, ranging from, “You know they don’t actually cause cancer,” to, “They’re synthetic; you can’t be allergic to something made in a lab.” But this one takes the cake.
My best friends and I are trying a new bakery. I see a cake I really want to try, but it has berries in some sort of syrup on top, and quite often, syrups contain corn syrup.
Me: “Excuse me. Do your cakes contain any type of corn syrup or artificial sweeteners? Sucralose, aspartame, erythritol, stuff like that?”
Server #1: “No, none of that. What would you like?”
Me: “The cheesecake with berry topping, please. Just a single slice, please.”
The server gets my cake, along with my friends’ items. We head over to a table when a woman approaches us.
Woman: “I’m sorry, but I overheard, and you shouldn’t eat that. There’s corn syrup in it. They use [Brand] premade berry pie filling, and it’s loaded with it.”
Me: “Oh. Oh, no. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
I go up to a different server to try to confirm.
Me: “Hi. Sorry to bother you, but does the pie filling on the cheesecakes contain corn syrup in any form?”
Server #2: “I’m not sure. Give me a minute and I’ll check the packaging.”
She goes into the back and comes out a moment later looking worried.
Server #2: “It does. It’s like the second ingredient, so probably a lot.”
Me: “Thank you. I really can’t have corn syrup, and I was told this was safe. Is there any way I can get a refund or exchange for something else?”
Server #2: “Let me grab the manager.”
A moment later, a man comes out looking quite concerned.
Manager: “I understand you were served something you’re allergic to. I’m very sorry, and we can definitely try to get you something else that’s safe for you. Are you okay with foods that are prepared in the same kitchen as foods with corn syrup?”
Me: “That’s never been a problem before, so I think it’s safe. I can’t have anything with artificial sweeteners, either. I can have other sweet things, like honey and maple syrup, and basic sugar.”
Manager: “Our key lime and lemon cheesecakes don’t contain any of that. Our muffins and scones should be safe for you, as well.”
So, I get the key lime cheesecake and go back to my friends. I see the manager take [Server #1] into the back, probably to reinforce how serious allergies and intolerances are, and how sick you could make someone.
[Server #1] comes back out, walks over to another server who’s restocking the shelf of prepackaged breads and rolls quite near us, looks over at me, and says in a voice loud enough for me to hear:
Server #1: “She can’t be allergic to artificial sugars, and she knows it. Artificial colors and sweeteners being bad was made up to discredit autistic people’s struggles.”
She looks pointedly at me again and returns to the back.
I look at my friends, quite confused. I know that some people believe red dye causes issues in children, but I’ve never heard that ALL artificial additives are to blame. Maybe that is a thing, but I assure you, my intolerances are very real. Both things can definitely be true at once.
The cheesecake was good, though, and I didn’t get sick from it, so the trip was a success.
