Question:
SUGAR, ALCOHOL SUGAR

HI ALL. I WAS READING SOME LOW CARB CANDY THAT OTHER DAY AT WALGREENS, AND I SAID OK, I SHOULD TRY IT, AND WHEN I WAS READING THE BACK, IT HAD 0 SUGAR BUT 17GR OF SUGAR ALCOHOL. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT SUGAR ALCOHOL IS? I NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE MAKER OF THIS PRODUCT SOMETING LIKE CARBOLITE OR SOMETHING. THEY HAD JELLY BEAN, GUMMI BEARS ETC....    — sexysag37 (posted on August 19, 2003)

August 18, 2003
Sugar alcohol is also called mannitol, is made commercially by hydrogenation of glucose and is absorbed very slowly into the bloodstream. It is thought not to require insulin for its metabolism and has the same calorie value as glucose, and nearly the same sweetening effect as well. According to my Nutritionist, we can have sugar alchohol as it does not cause dumping nor does it spike our carb intake. However, I was also advised to use with "caution".... it can cause excess gas and diarhea in some folks! If you "Google" sugar alchohol you will pull up quite a bit of info... Best of luck to you!
   — teresa M.

August 18, 2003
I beg to disagree with the previous posters nutritionist. Carbs is carbs is carbs for an RNY patient, which I am assuming you are. Just because it doesn't make you dump doesn't mean it is something we should have very much of. It is a great thing for a diabetic as it does not affect them, but for us it is just like eating regular sugar. Each person has to make their own choices for their plan but when I can have a while no sugar added ice cream bar for anywhere from 5-12 grams of carbs total and reasonable fat I would not go for some candy. The ice cream bar is way more satisfying to me. In general I try not to eat things with more than 3-6 grams of sugar in it and max 15 grams of carbs total and most meals less than 5-10 grams of carbs. Think about how many carbs you eat in a day and decide what portion of them you want to have as "treats". You need to figure out how these foods will fit into your new healthy life. They do need to fit but not too often!
   — zoedogcbr

August 18, 2003
I was told the sugar alcoholm is digested lower in the bowell and isnt absorbed as carbs. So the total carb count is roughly the total carbs less the sugar alcohol which isnt absorbed. At least this is what I understood out of a complex disacussion.
   — bob-haller

August 18, 2003
That lower digestrion is what causes gas and diarrea. I found at super wall mart hersheys chocolate sugar free its yummy but gave me some gas.
   — bob-haller

August 18, 2003
Hi Rita, I dump on sugar alcohol so I avoid it. My Surgeon has made it clear to her patients that anything that ends in "ose" or "ol" is sugar and should be avoided. This included glucose, sucrose, sorbitol and manitol. Food makers are finding new more creative ways to label. -
   — M B.