Test drinks for sugar?
LenS
maintaining control with oral medication. I test BG's twice a day.
On several occasions my BG's were unusually high on my PM test before
dinner, at least 4 hours after my last meal and with nothing eaten in
between.
In each of the cases I had had lunch in a restaurant and had ordered a
diet beverage. In one instance there were three of us in the party. One
person had ordered a regular cola while I had diet cola. The server
hesitated a moment before placing the drinks on the table so I asked him
if he was SURE which was which. He said that he was.
In the instance today, I had a diet cola at lunch also.
Now, I really can't tell the difference between the flavor of diet and
regular soft drinks, so I wondered if there is any practical way to test
fluids for sugar at the table. A strip of some kind, perhaps, or a
chemical that would change color if dropped into a sample in a spoon.
I know that diabetes does strange things, but it would be nice anyway to
be able to test beverages.
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
-Len
bj
news:3AE39299...@worldnet.att.net...
>
> Now, I really can't tell the difference between the flavor
of diet and
> regular soft drinks, so I wondered if there is any
practical way to test
> fluids for sugar at the table. A strip of some kind,
perhaps, or a
> chemical that would change color if dropped into a sample
in a spoon.
>
coke/pepsi. I just put a drop of the cola from the straw
onto the stick and wait 30 seconds. If it turns dark, it's
"hi-test". They're cheap (<$10 for a bottle of 50) and easy
to use. They may not work on every kind of drink. Test
somebody's non-diet vs a diet version (from a labeled bottle
or can -- there's a limit to what I worry about!) to see.
bj
Esther Paris
> I use Diastix (urine glucose test strips) to test diet
> coke/pepsi. I just put a drop of the cola from the straw
> onto the stick and wait 30 seconds. If it turns dark, it's
> "hi-test". They're cheap (<$10 for a bottle of 50) and easy
> to use. They may not work on every kind of drink. Test
> somebody's non-diet vs a diet version (from a labeled bottle
> or can -- there's a limit to what I worry about!) to see.
> bj
I read somewhere, but haven't seen for myself, that this
test won't work in Europe. Something about the sweetener
used in Europe. Original Poster, are you in Europe?
Additional input, any one?
Esther
LenS
>
> bj wrote:
>
> > I use Diastix (urine glucose test strips) to test diet
> I read somewhere, but haven't seen for myself, that this
> test won't work in Europe. Something about the sweetener
> used in Europe. Original Poster, are you in Europe?
> Additional input, any one?
>
> Esther
No, I'm in a suburb of Chicago.
If there's a problem with accidental substitution of regular beverages
for sugar-free beverages, it's probably confined to colas. Around here
Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola are virtually the only diet beverages available
in restaurants. And the problem would only exist when the drinks are
obtained from a dispenser. I'm sure the bottled and canned products are
exactly what they say they are.
It's worth the $10 or so to me to try these strips on a controlled
experiment at home. I'll post results.
Thanks,
-Len
LenS
>
> "LenS" <len...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
> news:3AE39299...@worldnet.att.net...
> >
> > Now, I really can't tell the difference between the flavor
> I use Diastix (urine glucose test strips) to test diet
> coke/pepsi.... snip ....
Thanks, I'll try this.
-Len
Esther Paris
> I'm sure the bottled and canned products are
> exactly what they say they are.
Not always!
Last summer cases of decaf diet Coke were recalled because
they contained Coke Classic! I told this to my doc and she
said, "Oh, because it had caffeine it could be a problem."
I replied, with utter amazement, "No, because they contained
sugar and caffeine!" And she was treating me for diabetes. ;-)
Ah, to err is human.
Esther
Ol' Bab
Ol' Bab
"LenS" <len...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:3AE414C7...@worldnet.att.net...
Danieljsza
>From: LenS len...@worldnet.att.net
>Date: 4/23/2001 6:39 AM Central Daylight Time
>Message-id: <3AE41468...@worldnet.att.net>
sometimes whoever puts the tanks on gets the fittings mixed up, sometimes they
run out of diet so just put on a regular thinking who will ever know.
The glucostix respond only to glucose. Most sugar drinks in the US are made
with syrups mainly high fructose corn syrup which has glucose in it. In europe
they are mainly made with sucrose or table sugar which will not affect the
strip. same as if you have ice tea in a restaurant they sweetened with table
sugar, it will not respond.
AKA dani...@midkan.net T2 15 yrs(orals for 12 1/2) now on insulin(R+N) and
now added Avandia
" The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do"
Old Al
Most if not all sugared-soft drinks in the US are sweetened by
HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup). HFCS is cheaper in the U.S.
than price-supported cane or beet sugar. HFCS is a mixture
of about 65% Fructose and 35% Glucose. The glucose in the
mix will activate the glucose test strips.
In Europe, beet/cane sugar is not price supported. Therefore,
most if not all sugared-soft drinks are sweetened by either
cane or beet sugar (sucrose). Sucrose does not activate the
glucose test strips.
I tested this by dissolving table sugar in water and contacting
the solution with a glucose test strip. The strip did not
change color.
Note that sucrose in European soft drinks might, after a long
time, partially hydrolyze into a mix of fructose and
glucose (I don't really know if this is possible in common
soft drinks over reasonable periods). Be nice if somebody
in Europe gave it a try for us.
BTW: The HFCS industry in the US exists because Beet/Cane
sugar in the US has an artificially high price
because of import quotas put in place to protect inefficient
domestic sources so that the supplies will not be cut off
if German submarines blockade our shipments from Cuba.
The US hasn't imported cane sugar from Cuba in nearly 40
years and Germany isn't particularly angry with us anyway.
I have mentioned this to many of my beet sugar-growing farmer
friends.
Old Al (T1 since 94, 35 units H + U via 4 injections daily)
A retired engineer who shares his experiences.
lurl...@earthlink.net
j...@mich.com
On 2001-04-23 len...@worldnet.att.net said:
>In the instance today, I had a diet cola at lunch also.
>Now, I really can't tell the difference between the flavor of diet
>and regular soft drinks, so I wondered if there is any practical
>way to test fluids for sugar at the table. A strip of some kind,
>perhaps, or a chemical that would change color if dropped into a
>sample in a spoon.
Ok, First there is a difference in either the flavor or texture of the drink
that some folks can tell, but as the Cola Bottlers get better and better this
is getting harder and harder to detect.
Thankfully you can still find "Dia-Sticks" at the pharmacy on occasion, These
are urine test strips (Note, there are also Keto-Dia sticks, they work too
but cost a lot more). I have a bottle of Dia-Sticks in my coat pocket.
Just take out a strip, Drop a drop of pop on the test area using your stray in
the classic "Bomb the test strip" fashion we diabetics are so familiar with
and see if it changes color. If it changes color.. Sugar is present (The
Dia-Sticks I have become deep purple, I understand keto-dia sticks turn brown
but I've never used them) If you are not sure.. Then it did not change color,
takes 30 seconds by the way. And the change is dramatic.
Of course you can also use the strips to check do a quick "check for diabetes"
on someone who displays the symptoms and does not wish to go to the doctor.
Just have them drop a drop on it and wait 30 seconds.
No color change, go to the doctor to find out what's wrong
Color change GO TO THE DOCTOR RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then log into
http://go.compuserve.com/diabetesforum for your welcome to the club message
John F Davis, WA8YXM, In Delightful Detroit, aa...@detroit.freenet.org
"Nothing adds excitement like something that is none of your business"
A bird in the hand is safer than one overhead.
Net-Tamer V 1.12.0 - Registered
bj
<j...@mich.com> wrote in message
news:teaofa2...@corp.supernews.com...
>
> Thankfully you can still find "Dia-Sticks" at the pharmacy
on occasion, These
> are urine test strips (Note, there are also Keto-Dia
sticks, they work too
> but cost a lot more). I have a bottle of Dia-Sticks in my
coat pocket.
Sometimes you have to ask them to order it -- but a good
pharmacy should be willing to do this. By the way, I once
tested my drink (ok, diet as advertised) and then, to show a
friend what/why I was doing it, put a drop of his non-diet
coke on the *same strip* -- which promptly turned very dark.
I've also showed off the diastix trick in a diabetes group
(there was a non-dm spouse w/ a real coke present). And I've
told a number of pharmacists about it too.
>
> Of course you can also use the strips to check do a quick
"check for diabetes"
> on someone who displays the symptoms and does not wish to
go to the doctor.
> Just have them drop a drop on it and wait 30 seconds.
Perhaps clarification needed here: use a drop of _urine_!
(considering we've been talking about other uses for the
stix and are now back to their original purpose).
LenS
Bayer. A tube of 50 strips was about $7.95 at Walgreen's in a Chicago
suburb. Might be a little less at Wal-Mart or Target. The box is marked
"Glucose". There is another box, similar in appearance but for testing
ketones. It costs more and I don't know if it will work for testing for
glucose.
According to the package insert, the strips test for the presence of
glucose in urine. It also says "The test is specific for glucose; no
substance excreted in urine other than glucose is known to give a
positive result. The reagent area does not react with lactose,
galactose, fructose nor reducing metabolites of drugs..."
HOWEVER...
I tested a sample of Diet Rite Cola, following the instructions for
testing a sample of urine. I dipped the strip into the sample, wiped it
against the rim of the glass, and waited for 30 seconds. There was no
visible reaction (the tip of the strip changes color in the presence of
glucose).
Then I repeated the test with a sample of regular Dr. Pepper which lists
high fructose corn syrup and sugar as the second and third ingredients
(the first is carbonated water). The strip began to darken immediately
and by the end of 30 seconds was a dark brown, indicating the presence
of glucose, never mind that glucose wasn't listed as an ingredient
unless the sugar was glucose. Which I doubt.
I tried another strip in a sample of table sugar (sucrose) dissolved in
tap water. There was no change of color.
The Dr. Pepper was the only regular soda in the house so I haven't had a
chance to try the test with other brands, nor with soda dispensed in
restaurants. I will try that as soon as my non diabetic wife has lunch
with me, although I guess I could get a sample at a restaurant where the
guests serve themselves soda from dispensers.
In either case, I'll post results.
-Len
Old Al
LenS <len...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>I bought a package of Diastix reagent strips for urinalysis made by
>Bayer. A tube of 50 strips was about $7.95 at Walgreen's in a Chicago
similar in appearance but for testing ketones. . . I don't
>
>According to the package insert, the strips test for the presence of
>glucose in urine. It also says "The test is specific for glucose; no
>substance excreted in urine other than glucose is known to give a
>positive result. The reagent area does not react with lactose,
>galactose, fructose nor reducing metabolites of drugs..."
>
>HOWEVER...
>
>I tested a sample of Diet Rite Cola, following the instructions for
>testing a sample of urine. I dipped the strip into the sample, wiped it
>against the rim of the glass, and waited for 30 seconds. There was no
>visible reaction (the tip of the strip changes color in the presence of
>glucose).
>
>Then I repeated the test with a sample of regular Dr. Pepper which lists
>high fructose corn syrup and sugar as the second and third ingredients
>(the first is carbonated water). The strip began to darken immediately
>and by the end of 30 seconds was a dark brown, indicating the presence
>of glucose, never mind that glucose wasn't listed as an ingredient
>unless the sugar was glucose. Which I doubt.
>
>I tried another strip in a sample of table sugar (sucrose) dissolved in
>tap water. There was no change of color.
>-Len
Standard Corn syrup is very high in glucose. . .as much as 80%
of the solid content. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is
standard corn syrup in which some of the glucose has been
converted to fructose. HFCS contains vastly more than enough
glucose to be detected with a test strip.
HFCS url
http://mcp.net/products/hfcs.html
Types of sugars URL
http://www.sugars.com/sweetterms.htm#Honey
Regards
LenS
> Standard Corn syrup is very high in glucose. . .as much as 80%
> of the solid content. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is
> standard corn syrup in which some of the glucose has been
> converted to fructose. HFCS contains vastly more than enough
> glucose to be detected with a test strip.
>
Aha! Thanks. I really don't like unsolved mysteries.
-Len
Beavis
<Esthe...@District31TM.Org> writes
>LenS wrote:
>
>> I'm sure the bottled and canned products are
>> exactly what they say they are.
>
>Not always!
Mistakes notwithstanding they are.
>
>Last summer cases of decaf diet Coke were recalled because
>they contained Coke Classic!
So NORMALLY the cans would contain what it says on the can.
> I told this to my doc and she
>said, "Oh, because it had caffeine it could be a problem."
>I replied, with utter amazement, "No, because they contained
>sugar and caffeine!" And she was treating me for diabetes. ;-)
>Ah, to err is human.
And to be a doctor is to know less than needed :-)
Beav
Beavis
<Esthe...@District31TM.Org> writes
I suspect someone's been winding you up Esther. Coke's Coke as far as
I'm aware, and the same goes for Pepsi.
Beav
Esther Paris
> In article <3AE42B24...@District31TM.Org>, Esther Paris
> <Esthe...@District31TM.Org> writes
> >LenS wrote:
> >
> >> I'm sure the bottled and canned products are
> >> exactly what they say they are.
> >
> >Not always!
>
> Mistakes notwithstanding they are.
> >
> >Last summer cases of decaf diet Coke were recalled because
> >they contained Coke Classic!
>
> So NORMALLY the cans would contain what it says on the can.
True. And I don't test the bottles and cans. It's the first swig
of the magic substance that starts to make the headaches go away.
I need every drop I can get. Won't waste a drop on a test strip,
unless it tasted "sticky" in my mouth. (That's the only way I can
tell diet versus regular by taste.)
Esther
Esther Paris
> >I read somewhere, but haven't seen for myself, that this
> >test won't work in Europe. Something about the sweetener
> >used in Europe.
>
> I suspect someone's been winding you up Esther. Coke's Coke as far as
> I'm aware, and the same goes for Pepsi.
>
> Beav
I have been feeling rather mechanical lately. I thought it was because
of sleep interruptions. ;-) Esther, all wound up!
Julie Bove
"Beavis" <Bea...@nachos.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:HHfcUgAn...@nachos.demon.co.uk...
I too read this, although it may have been bogus information. As far as I
know, it only applied to Coke and not Pepsi. They use different sweeteners
for it in different countries. The sweetener used in the US is corn syrup.
Not sure if that is the high fructose type of not. Regular sugar is what is
used in come other countries. A friend of mine who is from Canada but now
lives in Australia (and travels a lot) had pointed out to me that he noticed
different sweeteners being used in different countries. I also sometimes
hang out at a Bay Area food newsgroup and there were posts circulating there
for people looking for Coke that was Kosher. And by that it meant made with
sugar rather than corn syrup. I have also seen such Coke advertised for
sale at various online stores. So I know there are two different kinds.
Don't know the actual particulars because it didn't interest me enough to
look it up.
--
Type 2
http://www.redshift.com/~juliebove/
Julie Bove
"Julie Bove" <julieno...@redshift.com> wrote in message
news:teh6sga...@corp.supernews.com...
>
>
>
> "Beavis" <Bea...@nachos.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:HHfcUgAn...@nachos.demon.co.uk...
> > In article <3AE40555...@District31TM.Org>, Esther Paris
> > <Esthe...@District31TM.Org> writes
<snip>
>I also sometimes
> hang out at a Bay Area food newsgroup and there were posts circulating
there
> for people looking for Coke that was Kosher. And by that it meant made
with
> sugar rather than corn syrup. I have also seen such Coke advertised for
> sale at various online stores.
<snip>
Actually, now that I think about it... I think the special Coke was made
for passover and not just kosher. Not being Jewish, I don't think about
that much either.
Carol Pettit
Yep, it's Kosher for Passover and only available for a short time. My
husband has several bottles being held for him at a Kosher market in
Raleigh. And, yes, it's made with sugar rather than high fructose corn
syrup. And, yes, it DOES taste better than "the other" -- I'll be
sipping little bits of that Coke like it was a fine wine!
Carol P. <---who KNEW the Cokes in Europe tasted wonderful, but didn't
realize that they were different from in the US. And then I came home
and heard about "New Coke" UGH!
Beavis
I can tell the diff between diet and n on diet by the SMELL! I couldn't
drink diet crap if you paid me.
Is diet coke the real thing or fake thing. THAT'S the question:-)
Beav
Esther Paris
> I can tell the diff between diet and n on diet by the SMELL! I couldn't
> drink diet crap if you paid me.
Wow, again I'm envious! Esther
Ozgirl
Esther Paris <Esthe...@District31TM.Org> wrote in message
> True. And I don't test the bottles and cans. It's the first swig
> of the magic substance that starts to make the headaches go away.
> I need every drop I can get. Won't waste a drop on a test strip,
> unless it tasted "sticky" in my mouth. (That's the only way I can
> tell diet versus regular by taste.)
I only test from the soda fountain type drinks and I always use a
blood glucose strip. A drop of real coke measures around 26.0 (468)
for me. I never test bottles or cans.
Opal
Ozgirl <ozg...@dingoblue.net.au> wrote in message
news:3ae891d1$0$25466$7f31...@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au...
A couple of months ago, I got a diet coke at a restaurant that tasted a
little off. So, I tested it with my meter. 0.6 (11 mg/dl)mmol/L I believe
the result was. Having it out & being the curious person I am, I also
tested a drop of my friend's coke classic... My meter gave "HI - DANGER,
CALL DOCTOR". Interesting to note that my meter will give results from 0.0
to 33.3 (600). Geez, and people willingly drink that stuff? <g>
--
Kelly
T2, daily regime: 30u NPH insulin (no H), Avandia 4mg 2x, Altace 2.5mg,
Wellbutrin 150mg 2x
ICQ #85063563
Last night I played a blank tape at full blast. The mime next door went
nuts.
lurl...@earthlink.net
used for urine testing.
Beavis
<Esthe...@District31TM.Org> writes
Don't be Esther, I pay for this ability to sniff out the real thing by
having to carry around a huge nose all day :-)
Beav
You can E-Mail me at the usual place (Beavis at nachos dot demon dot co dot uk)
Or you can visit my website (Which has undergone recent surgery) Same address as
before..
Esther Paris
> Having it out & being the curious person I am, I also
> tested a drop of my friend's coke classic... My meter gave "HI - DANGER,
> CALL DOCTOR". Interesting to note that my meter will give results from 0.0
> to 33.3 (600). Geez, and people willingly drink that stuff? <g>
And if the restaurant gives free refills, they'll willingly have
two or more! Esther "another diet please" Paris
Opal
Esther Paris <Esthe...@District31TM.Org> wrote in message
Two or more??? <vbg> We *each* get an entire pitcher of pop on Tuesday
nights when we go out. My two friends each get a pitcher of Coke, I get a
pitcher of diet... There are 4 or 5 LARGE glasses of pop in those pitchers.
Drunk (drinked? Drunken? <g>) over the course of about 4-5 hours) *phew*
Rob Carr
check it. I pulled out the Diastix we use to check the birds for
diabetes (you don't want to know). The strip didn't change. I wanted
to see a positive reaction, so I took some of the All-Sport I drink
when I'm running. Not only did the glucose portion turn totally dark,
but the ketone portion reacted slightly. I'm not sure what that means.
Rob
Eugene Goldman.·.
wrote:
> I suspect someone's been winding you up Esther. Coke's Coke as far as
> I'm aware, and the same goes for Pepsi.
You are half right. Coke is, as you say, Coke. Pepsi isn't Coke,
however. Pepsi is Pepsi.
<LOL>
Be well, travel with a light heart and good control.
Gene Goldman
Type 2, Diet, Aspertame & [insert that vile "E" word here] - so far, so what
Anyone inferring from my posting a Usenet message that I thereby request advertisements, spam, or unsolicited offers for goods or services will be invoiced for my usual and customary consulting fees, and I do NOT come cheap!
Beavis
Goldman.·. <br_...@pacbell.net> writes
>On Thu, 26 Apr 2001 12:09:27 +0100, Beavis <Bea...@nachos.demon.co.uk>
>wrote:
>
>> I suspect someone's been winding you up Esther. Coke's Coke as far as
>> I'm aware, and the same goes for Pepsi.
>
>You are half right. Coke is, as you say, Coke. Pepsi isn't Coke,
>however. Pepsi is Pepsi.
>
><LOL>
>
>
>
>Be well, travel with a light heart and good control.
>
>Gene Goldman
>Type 2, Diet, Aspertame & [insert that vile "E"
Ecstasy? :-)
> word here] - so far, so what
>
>Anyone inferring from my posting a Usenet message that I thereby request
>advertisements, spam, or unsolicited offers for goods or services will be
>invoiced for my usual and customary consulting fees, and I do NOT come cheap!
You can E-Mail me at the usual place (Beavis at nachos dot demon dot co dot uk)
Beavis
>wrote:
>
>> I suspect someone's been winding you up Esther. Coke's Coke as far as
>> I'm aware, and the same goes for Pepsi.
>
>You are half right. Coke is, as you say, Coke. Pepsi isn't Coke,
>however. Pepsi is Pepsi.
And both are undrinkable in all their forms nowadays. Once upon a time I
could enjoy a Coke (not a Pepsi though) if it was the REAL one, but
after years of not drinking sugared drinks, I can't bring myself to
drink even those now. I can't stand that "sticky" feel it leaves, and as
for that diet stuff, well!!....
Beav