Unfortunately chemicals such as Aspartame, MSG, etc. causes some kind of a problem for many of us with autoimmune diseases. It is considered a trigger.

Here's a link of our thyroid expert, Elaine Moore, whom we get our info from as well as articles, have our Qs answered, etc.

http://www.elaine-moore.com/MyBlog/tabid/60/EntryId/27/Aspartame-An-Autoimmune-Disease-Trigger.aspx

{{{hugs}}}

P.S. Here's another link (another article) from Elaine:

http://www.elaine-moore.com/MyArticles/GravesDisease/ThyroidDiseaseTriggers/tabid/183/Default.aspx

I was drinking a hot mocha drink from Folgers called Mocha Fusion that it was one of a contributing factor in starting the GD for me. I already had undiagnosed symptoms of hypOthyroidism prior to this for 20+ years...

I SHOULD HAVE SAID I DIDNT START DRINKING THE DIET PEPSI CAFFENIENE FREE UNTIL AFTER MY DIAGNOSIS, BUT I SAW ON HERE OR ANOTHER GOOGLE SITE THAT SAYS YOU SHOULDNT DRINK SODA WITH THAT IN IT THAT IT WILL DO SOMETHING BUT NOW I CANT FIND WHAT THEY SAID. IF IT DOESNT DO TOO MUCH I WOULD RATHER DRINK THIS THAN DRINK REGULAR SODA AND DRINK ALL MY CALORIES FOR THE DAY WHERE I CANT EAT NOTHING LOL I WENT TO THAT SITE MS MMZ BUT I REALLY DONT KNOW WHERE TO GO, RIGHT NOW I AM UNDER THE QA, THANKS YOU ALL

I HAVE ALSO NOTICED MY ASTHMA IS NOT UNDER CONTROL ANYMORE, I AM 46 AND I HAVE HAD ASTHMA SINCE I WAS 5. I CANT TELL I HAVE ASTHMA MOST OF THE TIME UNLESS I AM GETTING SICK, BUT NOW I CAN TELL I HAVE IT, EVEN THOUGH MY LITTLE OXYGEN THING ON THE FINGER SAYS 98 THAT CAN NOT BE TRUE. SHORT OF BREATH AND DIZZY MOST OF THE TIME CALLING DR TOMORROW TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT CAN HELP ME, ANY SUGGESTIONS?

I cannot tell what to drink or eat. I can tell you that I am an advocate for thyroid disease and diet does play a huge part of those who want to get well.

I tell all new people here to keep a small notebook to record what they eat and drink to find out which ones are the culprits (triggers) and they should avoid.

I do not allow Aspartame as part of my diet at all. If I did, I'd be in worst shape now.

Elaine Moore's site takes getting use to. Play around on there and I encourage you to read and read all you can to heal your thyroid.

Instead of drinking soda, maybe another alternative for you would be drinking half water and half organic juices. Or add put some fresh squeezed lemon into your water and drink it?

{{{hugs}}}

Oops...first sentence I can not tell you what to drink or eat.

Yes Aspartame is particularly bad for people with auto immune issues, but for everybody else too. It's a chemical that i have read is like a poison. I wish I knew where I saw the article. Maybe look up the dangers of aspartame. I was chewing gum with aspartame a lot before diagnosis. It made my heart race most of the time and I couldn't figure out why until I read about it and people with Graves. Now I buy agum on Swanson vitamin site with the natural Xylitol in it.There must be something low cal with no aspartame in it that you could drink?

Hi Ann,
Aspartame is something you really should avoid. I've read that it robs your body of some essential minerals and when it breaks down in your body it's a chemical similar to antifreeze.

I use Stevia Plus(found in organic stores) It can be added to unsweetened juices if you prefer sweet drinks.
I buy organic unsweetened cranberry juice (found in the organic foods section). Avoid diet juices as they usually contain aspartame.
I mix 4-oz's of the unsweetened juice to 32 oz's of water. Not only does it help cleanse/flush your body, it has minerals and vitamins.
I drink 1 32-oz of this per day along with plain purified water.

Since going on organic diet, I am finally starting to feel better. (I am 3-years post RAI)