sugar alcohol

  Ok folks I need your help.  Today at grocery I was looking at some sugar free wafers(just looking, didn't buy!!)  It said that they had 0g sugar but 9g of sugar alcohol.  What is this?  Is this something I need to be careful of?  Will it make me dump like regular sugar?  HELP!!  I'm still pretty new at this (8wks tomorrow) so any help would be appreciated!! Thanks, Melissa

HI Melissa # 3, We already have Melisssa #1  and #2, it just seemed fitting to tag you #3..... In just my opinion I would ask my surgeon and nutritionist if sugar alcohols are in their program.  Depending on yes or no then I would go from there.  I know several people that have adverse reactions to sugar alcohols and can not tolerate them whether they have had WLS or not.  And then I know others that it does not effect one way or the other. From what I understand Sugar alcohols are neither sugars nor alcohols.  They are carbs with a chemical structure that partially resembles sugar and partially resembles alcohol, but they don’t contain ethanol as alcoholic beverages do. The body cannot metabolize and absorb them completely, therefore they contribute fewer calories. Sugar alcohols are commonly used as a replacement for sugar.  The following list of names for sugar alcohol can be found on the pack of packages in the form of:

Sorbitol Mannitol Xylito Maltitol Maltitol syrup Lactitol Erythritol Isomal

 

Sugar alcohols are mostly used for sugar free products as a sweetener and sugar replacer. Mostly, they are intended for diabetic and food products. Now, some weight loss products use them in their carbohydrate controlled nutrition plans.

 The adverse reaction I was telling you about could cause some gastrointestinal issues, like diarrhea or abdominal gas and discomfort. Daily consumption could drive a laxative effect. According to The American Dietetic Association, greater than 50g/day consumption of sorbitol on daily basis or greater than 20g/day of mannitol may cause diarrhea!

 

I hope this helps.  I am a fanatic about reading labels now... Takes forever to get through the grocery store because I read all the

I don't know the effect as a WL patient. But I've been diabetic for years and the first time I tried chocolate made with this I spent the day in the bathroom . Thought I over ate tried a couple pieces months later found myself in the bathroom again. I guess it could be a pleasant laxative. But not willing to try it again. Actually its what broke me from chocolate.   Bob

Hi Melissa. Most people just don't know how the sugar alchol will effect them until the "test" it. I believe Melinda was one that she dumped on sugar alcohol. I know I don't dump on it but I do have a limit and then it becomes a laxative (TMI) effect for me - which can be good when I need that! But for the most part, it does not bother me or most. I am sure you have had some sugar alcohol and not known it because pretty much anything sugar free has it in it - like SF jello and SF pudding ..etc..etc. But, it just doesn't have enough to matter and they don't list it on the label. When you start getting into things like SF desserts, cookies, cakes, juices - then you are running into more of the SF alcohols and that is why you will see them on the labels. With you only being 8 weeks from surgery, I would treat Sugar Alchol like sugar and stick to the limit given to you by your Dr. My sugar limit I believe was not to exceed 13 grams of sugar so I would use that as the basis for not exceeding sugar alchol too. If that makes since.  Just treat it like sugar. Overall, I would stay clear away from SF desserts anyway right now like the cookies, ice cream, and cakes. The jellos and puddings and popsicles are all good but the other desserts are not. They are very high in calories and sugar alchol and have no nutritional value. They are also dry and may not settle well with you. I know I did not try SF desserts (like cookies) until I was at least 6 months post-op. I think it is important because when I did start "treating" myself, I lost control and went crazy with it and had to get that control back. So, I would just be careful about that kind of stuff right now. Stick to things with nutirtional value and use treats like jello, pudding, and popsicles since they should be on your approved list of items.

I dont remember dumping on sugar alcohol.  I do remember nasty nasty terrible rank gas. One word OF ADVICE:     PROCEED WITH CAUTION! The sugar alcohols are deductable from the total carbs... like if your product is 10 carbs, you have 5 sugar alchols, you can deduct to get a net carb of 5.  But like Misty said, you can get sick on them.  Some people get headaches.  They are basically another form of sweetener.  Yes you can surely get diarrhea from it too. 

Thanks all for your input..  Like I said, I was just wondering about it.  I didn't buy anything and right now have no desire to but I was just looking.  I don't even eat the SF jellos or puddings anymore.  I go back to DR on friday so I will be sure to ask him or Laura about it.  Thanks for all the help!!!

 

Melissa

Melissa, What time is your appt. on Friday - I'm back in to see Dr. McDowell the same day?

Hi Wendy, My appt. Friday is at 9 am.  Maybe we'll see each other. Melissa (I think I'm #3 now)