Question regarding Sweetner

hi i was diagnosed with severe ulcer colitis last year. right now i am taking 800mg asacol 6x per day, VSL#3 proboitic and prednisone 5mg per day, Vancomycine since i developed c diff and batteling since last July. Since i was diagnosed i have lost about 6 pound of my body weight. I was around 160 pounds now i am under 100 pounds due to c diff keep coming back. My doctor has suggested me to gain weight or keep my weight i have to drink Peptamen 1.5 made by Nestle nutrition. it contains Acesulfame Potassium which is calorie free sweetener. My question is it a harmful ingredients. Should i stop taking peptamen 1.5. Also i have found http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/naturalprocomplex.html which contains Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolates, Glutamine Peptides, Egg Albumin, L-Leucine, Whey Peptides, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine), Natural Flavors, Evaporated Cane Juice Powder, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vitamin/Mineral Blend (Ascorbic Acid, Maltodextrin, D-Alpha Tocopherol Succinate, Niacinamide, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Chromium Polynicotinate, Riboflavin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Cyanocobalamin).

i am worrying about Evaporated Cane Juice Powder, and Xanthan Gum are those harmful for colitis. if anyone can give me an answer it would be helpful.

i also take one serving of http://www.absorbplus.com/diet/ingredients/chart4.php

which also contains maltodextrin.

also thinking about trying this http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/nb/perfectisopure.html

which is unflavored. if anyone has any suggestion for weight gaining powder which doesnt bother ulcer please advise. i need to gain some weight i eat chicken fish once in a while but sticking with veggie diet for now.

thank you

Sugar and sugar substitutes are all over the map as far as what people think is good or bad.
I myself stay away from maltodextrin and anything artificial like no-calorie substitutes. I use honey and not a lot of it.
I almost feel that real sugar would be better than it's many replacements. But sugar (and it's cousins) are inflammatory and many people feel it's bad overall for not only UC but for many other ailments.

I'm having a tough time making a sweetener suggestion for you since you really need to gain weight. I follow a modified Specific Carbohydrate Diet which has helped my UC symptoms incredibly, but I'm stable, not underweight.
How about eating things with lots of butter (potatoes) and putting cheese on your veggies. Add coconut oil or olive oil to as many drinks/shakes/smoothies as possible. How does your gut like chocolate?

Best wishes.

I personally stay away from fructose and do not eat much fruit. YMMV.

My suggestion about powder mixes is not to order a lot of anything until you try them out and make sure they don't make symptoms worse. To me evaporated cane sugar doesn't sound so bad even though I prefer to add my own sweetener.
InSoFL is a poster who uses one of Dr. Mercola's protein mixes, you can do a search for her posts.

How about nut butters for calories? Almond butter, sunflower seed butter etc. Protein plus good fats sounds like what you need. Many ways to eat nut butters and mix into things. Peanut butter is more problematic since it's not really a nut (it's a legume) and some people are more sensitive to peanuts.

Note: I see "Natural Flavor" as an ingredient which is a red-flag to people with food sensitivities. Many things are slipped in under this tag including carageenan and other things that aren't tolerated well.

I don't think xanthan gum or evaporated cane juice powder are any more harmful for colitis than any of those other processed ingredients. Xanthan gum's just a thickener used in many processed foods. I personally would try to stay away from the processed foods and add calories with whole foods...think oils, nut butters, avocadoes; however, it does sound urgent that you gain some weight so maybe the drinks are the way to go.

Just one more suggestion: when adding fiber (nut butters) into your diet be careful not to overdo it. Insoluble fiber can irritate a UC gut and also lead to C. If you see blood then cut back on fiber, if you get C perhaps take a stool softener and increase amount of olive oil/coconut oil intake too.