Sugar Alcohol Products

[jade]

Hey all,
Could someone share on the issue of 'sugar alcohol'. I notice that it is in the gum that I chew. Do those carbs count? Is this the same ingredient in the no carb candies that I see in the store?
Another question I had was this: Are we allowed those no carb candies during Induction? When I was doing Induction a while back the answer was no. But I noticed that Dr. Atkins has given the ok for you to have some of his items during Induction. Are these one of them?

Thanks in Advance!
Be well,
jade :wave

[not2late]

Here's some info from the FAQ forum

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=68131

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=68071

[jade]

Hey "not2late"]
Thank you for the information. While it was good information, I have to admit I left feeling like the decision to count sugar alcohol carbs was my own. That is I don't lose weight then eat away. Is that right? I felt like one of the articles was for it and one was against it. The only foods right now that I consume that have them in it is my chewing gum. I'm a counter. I guess I'm like Perry. You're still ingesting that food so why wouldn't you count it.
But the articles gave good information and I want to thank you again for taking time to post the links!

Be well-
jade :wave

[Moochiecat]

To count or not to count?!

I suggest you avoid foods with sugar alcohols in them during Induction simply because this is the time to break the addiction to sweets. If gum is for breath freshening, then switch to carrying around a small bottle of mouthwash and using that when you feel icky. (If we're talking like, one piece of gum a day, then have your gum, I wouldn't sweat it, but be mindful that it could trigger cravings, so watch for that)

Sugar alcohols give some people terrible gas, so there's another incentive to avoid them, period. If you do choose to eat them at some point, then it's probably best to count the carbs so that you stay accountable, and don't get complacent and eat them too often, falling back into the trap of the sugar monkey.

[Elizellen]

I did read on an Atkins board - not sure which one - that if you have no bad effects from eating sugar alcohol sweetened products that you should count all the carbs except any fibre carbs as your body is obviously absorbing them.
Only if they DO cause you gastric problems should you even consider not counting the SA carbs as they are not being absorbed by your body!! Many people count half of the SA carbs in this case just to err on the side of caution.

[not2late]

Hey "not2late"]
Thank you for the information. While it was good information, I have to admit I left feeling like the decision to count sugar alcohol carbs was my own. That is I don't lose weight then eat away. Is that right? I felt like one of the articles was for it and one was against it. The only foods right now that I consume that have them in it is my chewing gum. I'm a counter. I guess I'm like Perry. You're still ingesting that food so why wouldn't you count it.
But the articles gave good information and I want to thank you again for taking time to post the links!

Be well-
jade :wave

Like Moochie and Elizellen have stated, sugar alcohols affect some people and not others. We advice to avoid them during the first 14 days of Induction, because these first 14 days are critical to your Atkins.

If you want to try them out after these 14 days, it's up to you. Should you count all of them or not? Again it's up to you.

[jade]

Hey "Moochiecat"!
Great information! I hadn't even considered the fact that sugar alcohols could lead you back to the old habit of using sugar again. I had been chewing more than a piece of gum a day but I haven't really noticed anything different. I'm still losing steadily. But I do count the carbs.

Thanks for sharing! I appreciate it!
Be well-
jade :wave

[jade]

Hey "Elizellen"
Interesting information! Right now I only chew gum and I haven't had any ill effects from it. However, I do count the carbs.
Thanks for your input! I appreciate it.

Be well-
jade :wave

[jade]

Hey Megs,
Thank you so much! I appreciate the time you took to find the initial information for me and then this follow up.

Be well-
jade :wave

[FightingTheFight]

Sugar Alcohols= explosive diahrrea for me.


If you have enough underwear to take that chance....then tab a little at them..hehe

[jade]

Hey "FightingTheFight"
I've heard that can happen. When I was on Atkins a few years ago, I tried them but my body didn't really react to them at all. But what did happen was that whole revisiting using sweets to get high. As a food addict I'm staying away from that kind of stuff low-carb or not for a very long time. Maybe even forever.
Here is a great article on sugar alcohol:

ttp://www.countcarbs.com/advice/To_Count_or_Not_to_Count.htm

I also felt like what a waste of carbs! When you have so few especially during Induction, why would you want to waste them on that small piece of candy when you could have big portions of other carbs foods like salad.
So the answer for me was YES you do count them.

Thanks for sharing!
Be well-
jade


]Sugar Alcohols= explosive diahrrea for me.


If you have enough underwear to take that chance....then tab a little at them..hehe[/quote]

[cleochatra]

fighting


LOL!