Gum?

[lowcarbgirl]

Is it ok to chew a pack of gum a day on induction? It says that there is 1 gram of carbs - 1 gram sugar alcohol in a piece, so doesn't that cancel out to zero?

Thank you!

[Georgiana]

Re: Gum?

Sugar free chewing gum is sweetened with sugar alcohols. Some of us metabolize sugar alcohols as real sugar, or at least part of the quantity we consume. Thus, these sugars might need to be counted towards our net carbs. The American Diabetes Association recommends counting half of the sugar alcohols as sugars that have an impact on blood sugar (i.e. net carbs for us).

In any case, sweeteners/sweets are limited to 3 servings per day. So, if you really want to eat chewing gum, you can eat at most 3 per day, assuming you don't consume any other sweeteners/sweets.

In my opinion, chewing gum is junk food (low carb or not) without any nutritional value, which is why chewing it is just a bad habit. If you are looking for something to help with the "ketosis breath", brushing your teeth more often, and using dental floss and mouthwash help a lot.

[mizski]

Re: Gum?

Chewing gum often stimulates the appetite and gives artificial hungry signals so for that reason I'd suggest no gum. With Atkins done correctly, you learn when your body is hungry and needs fuel.

I do carry one of those Listerine Pocket Packs in case I'm out and I wonder if my breath is questionable. They don't stimulate my appetite like gum or mints do.

[Cowgirlholly]

Re: Gum?

Too me gum does the opposite on the food side, curbs my appetite. I always chew Extra Polar Ice flavor and can for hours. Even makes my water seem more flavorable and refreshing.