Sugar Alcohols

[Teallaura]

:gaah:

Okay, I'm now seriously confused. Most low carb diets alllow sugar alcohols as not affecting blood sugar fast enough to be a concern (with one exception which doesn't affect BS at all). But there's a lot of confusion about maltitol.

Maltitol is the most controversial - and also widely used (especailly in sugar free candy). It can have unpleasant side effects - which don't worry me in the least (don't ask - you really don't wanna know why). But the debate over whether or not it is suitable for low carb diets bothers me.

This (http://mendosa.com/netcarbs.htm) questions it on the basis of it's high glycemic index (GI). But this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycemic_index) says it's GI falls in the low range.

What I want to know is did I blow my diet yesterday with a package of Russell Stovers Sugar Free Peanut Clusters (not bad at all - their SF root beer candies are delicious!)? The package claims 30 total carbs, but only maltitol as the sweetener - which in Atkins counts as zero net.

:rant: I'm getting really ticked here! I spent over two hours trying to find out and only got more confused!


I'm gonna go track down some Splenda recipes for ice cream.... :outtie:

[Teallaura]

:bump:

[Zarathustra]

:gaah:

Okay, I'm now seriously confused. Most low carb diets alllow sugar alcohols as not affecting blood sugar fast enough to be a concern (with one exception which doesn't affect BS at all). But there's a lot of confusion about maltitol.

Maltitol is the most controversial - and also widely used (especailly in sugar free candy). It can have unpleasant side effects - which don't worry me in the least (don't ask - you really don't wanna know why). But the debate over whether or not it is suitable for low carb diets bothers me.

This (http://mendosa.com/netcarbs.htm) questions it on the basis of it's high glycemic index (GI). But this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycemic_index) says it's GI falls in the low range.

What I want to know is did I blow my diet yesterday with a package of Russell Stovers Sugar Free Peanut Clusters (not bad at all - their SF root beer candies are delicious!)? The package claims 30 total carbs, but only maltitol as the sweetener - which in Atkins counts as zero net.

:rant: I'm getting really ticked here! I spent over two hours trying to find out and only got more confused!


I'm gonna go track down some Splenda recipes for ice cream.... :outtie:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltitol


Maltitol, like other sugar alcohols, does not brown or caramelize (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caramelize). It is not metabolized by oral bacteria, so it does not promote tooth decay (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_decay). It is somewhat more slowly absorbed than sugar (sucrose) which makes it somewhat more suitable for people with diabetes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes) than white sugar (sucrose (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose)). It is very important to be aware that its blood sugar impact is far from negligible and some traditional sugars, such as fructose, actually have a significantly lower impact on blood sugar[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources)]. Its food energy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_energy) value is 2.1 calories per gram (8.8 kJ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilojoule)/g (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gram)); (sugar is 4.0 cal/g (16.7 kJ/g).

Apparently it takes half the energy to burn compared to sugar. Which, if you think sugar is a lot, is still a fair bit.

[Teallaura]

Thanks - I'd already read the article, however, and that really tells me nothing about its net carb value.

'Preciate the effort, though....

[Zarathustra]

Thanks - I'd already read the article, however, and that really tells me nothing about its net carb value.

'Preciate the effort, though....

Fair enough.

THis is from the net, so who knows how reliable it is. But maybe this helps as a lose rule of thumb:

Indeed, even at full count, a 40 gram chocolate bar sweetened with maltitol has an average of 12 carb grams, as opposed to regular plain chocolate with 25 carbs in a similar sized bar. Just beware that they can also trigger the sweet cravings you hope to avoid.

[Teallaura]

:smile: Thanks. I do appreciate it.

There's just too much confusion - one source says X, the other Y.... :dizzy:


:sigh: I give up...





:smile: Thankfully, God created the guy that came up with Splenda! Found Splenda pudding today (6 net carbs!) - let you know how it is later!

[Xmansmommy]

Edy's makes ice cream sweetened with Splenda. It's not too bad. I've only tried one flavor though. I was wondering what the heck sugar alcohols were too Laura beause I'm diabetic. Haven't figured it out yet other than it's supposed to be better for you than actual sugar. Go figure! If you find out, let me know, please. :nsm:

[Amazing Rando]

I've got type 1 diabetes, so I'm always looking for low-carb shortcuts. Sugar alcohol and Splenda have got to be the greatest dietary inventions ever. Maltitol barely affects my blood sugar levels at all, which is all I really care about!

[Teallaura]

It's the net carb thing that's confusing on sugar alcohols. As I understand it, most diabetics can handle maltitol fine but a few can't. The rest of the sugar alcohols are well tolerated by diabetics.

I'm just passing through right now, but if you like I can post some of the links I found on sugar alcohols and diabetes. I'm with Rando - the stuff is fantastic as far as taste is concerned.

I'll have to track down the ice cream. The pudding wasn't so great, but it was that kinda malted flavor of milk chocolate that I don't care for rather than an artificial sweetener taste.