How do you celebrate the end of summer and Labor Day if every time you eat starchy foods, you experience stomach distress? Many individuals have starch intolerance, the body’s inability to completely process carbohydrates (sugars and starches). Yet, we seem to be programmed to want something sugary/starchy, especially for a holiday.

The problem is those with starch intolerance lack the required enzymes to break down starches which are then left in the digestive system to cause symptoms of food intolerance. The severity of the symptoms depends on the extent of the enzyme deficiency, and range from a feeling of mild bloating to severe diarrhea.

Undigested sugars remain in the intestine, which is then fermented by the bacteria normally present in the large intestine. These bacteria produce gas, cramping, bloating, a "gurgly" feeling in the abdomen and flatulence. The distress normally begins about 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods containing the offending sugar, such as lactose in the case of lactose intolerance.

There is no cure for carbohydrate intolerance. To curb your cravings for something starchy/sugary, try my favorite beverage, kefir iced coffee, the perfect drink to toast the end of summer. Either plain or mocha does the trick to curb my carb craving.

It's so easy and quick to make and no lactose, if you choose the lactose-free kefir or alternative dairy beverage of your choice.

Here's the basic recipe:


•Use extra brewed coffee to make iced coffee cubes. Simply freeze the coffee in an ice cube tray.

•When ready to make your iced coffee, pour about 1 cup of plain kefir over the coffee cubes, added to a glass. Sweetened with desired sweetener.

•For mocha kefir iced coffee, you will need an add-in of 1 T. cocoa powder.

•Here's a trick for getting the cocoa to dissolve. Pour about 1/8 cup of heated water into your glass before adding other ingredients. Stir in the cocoa powder. Then, add in the coffee cubes and kefir.

•Now, sit back and enjoy!