X is another difficult letter if you’ve chosen food as your topic. (OK, it’s always a tough letter but for “foods that spark memories”, it’s even more of a doozy than usual.)
I did find something, however - altho’ it’s not my usual type of story.
This is a story of X as unknown, as something discovered…
It’s a story of Xanthan gum.
Ever heard of it? It’s one of those ingredients you’ll see often if you read the fine print on lists of ingredients… and not all that often otherwise. Xanthan gum is an emulsifier and thickening agent. It’s produced when glucose, sucrose, or lactose is fermented by a particular kind of bacteria, then precipitated by isopropyl alchohol, and dried and ground into powder. Basically natural and benign, xanthan gum is found in a surprisingly wide range of products, from industrial emulsifiers to baked goods to toothpastes.
It also has a use I would have been just as happy never to learn about… You find it in nursing homes, to thicken the liquids that they give to patients who have difficulties with swallowing and aspiration. (A common side-effect of strokes.)
This is a fairly standard practice, altho’ I hadn’t known about it, nor did I realize it was happening to Dad until a few days into his nursing home stay. And truthfully, I have no issue with it… I understand why it’s done and can’t fault anyone for taking the precaution. If a person’s ability to swallow correctly has deteriorated, you have to do something so that they can continue to eat and drink safely while in your care - meaning you mince their food and thicken their beverages.
On the other hand, having seen the occasionally-downright-gelantinous stuff that was presented to my dad as a glass of water, I can’t help but wonder if there might not be better alternatives out there. (There are other products available and in use but my issue isn’t with the xanthan gum itself, just the thought of drinking gummy water.) On the other hand, I don't have a better suggestion, either.
What I do know is that my dad was always much happier when he got to drink the coffee my brother would bring him or the V-8 juice I kept stashed in the communal refrigerator than with his thickened water.
And that if it weren’t for xanthan gum and its cousins, I wouldn’t be haunted by the memory of a plaintive voice asking, “Honey, can’t you bring me home? The water here is terrible.”
Xanthan gum.
Innocuous in and of itself… but it does nothing to help me love X days.
9 comments:
Hi Jz - so agree with your experience with your father ... desperate times for all stroke patients ... mind you being able to talk, meant the drinking and eating aspect went. So good use of Xanthum ... I had heard about it - but not the details ... I guess if we don't need to know, we don't learn - now I know more ... and fresh water is so so pleasurable ... cheers Hilary
Yes! I see xanthan gum in the ingredients all of the time, and now I know what it is! What an interesting story about its uses. You do what you can ... I guess, but I hate to think of drinking water thickened with xanthan gum... blech...
that must have been so painful ... :( .... so difficult. Sometimes making the best choices for our loved ones are still unpalatable. I have actually used it in making gluten-free dishes for my son's partner!
It’s not easy to watch those we love grow old, it must be much worse when you want to help them with something, like regular water, and you can’t.
You do need to go to the Flora-Bama Bar someday, whether you get there for the Mullet Toss or not. It’s worth a visit.
Xanthan gum was one of those things I kept thinking I should look up one day. Now I don't have to! Thanks, Jz! Such an informative post.
It's never easy to feel what you must've felt. Hugs. xx
H-
I agree…, it’s one of those things that makes perfect sense when you think about it - but your brain manages to avoid contemplating until forced.
L-
Yes - I knew it was used as a food additive but I was surprised by all the industrial uses it has, as well, especially given how it’s produced.
s-
It was a pretty heartbreaking moment, yes. I’ll… just stop there.
I’ve seen packages of xanthan in the Bob’s Red Mill section of the grocery store and knew it was used to replace some of the qualities of gluten - but I hadn’t realized quite what it was or how widely used.
mm-
It’s dreadful… and frankly, a horrifying glimpse into what the future holds.
I’m sure the bar is worth a visit anyhow but it can be more fun to work these funny little events into your itinerary, don’t you think? :-D
E-
I know! Even when I started to write a post about it, my initial draft ignored the whole “what the heck IS this stuff?” aspect of it… I was just so focused on the other part. Then my internal reader finally yelled loud enough that I thought, “oh yeah. I should answer that question…” ;-D
I’m happy to have helped out.
A-
Thanks, sunshine. (It wasn’t.)
I have noticed xanthum gum in the ingredients list, but also didn't know that about its use in nursing homes. Your poor Dad. The xanthum gum water sounds terrible, and that memory of your dad sounds really painful. I'm so sorry...
o-
Thanks, cutes.
I think it's one of those things you only learn about when it smacks you in the face.
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