EXTENDED INDUCTION & SUGAR ALCOHOL

[keepinthinner]

Hello,

I am not sure about figuring our carbs and sugar alcohol's. I found a "sugar free" candy that has 24g carbs and 5g dietary fiber, 18g sugar alcohol, am I correct in thinking that the total net carb count will be 1g carb for 5 pieces (which is the serving size). I thought these would be good for a sweet tooth crave once and a while, although I have not eaten them yet and might find I'd rather chew on wood shavings. Can anyone tell me if you are to subtract these sugar alcohol's?

Thanks.

[julirama723]

Re: EXTENDED INDUCTION & SUGAR ALCOHOL

The companies that make the candies say to subtract all sugar alcohols.

Any old pro on here will tell you to count ALL the carbs, regardless of if they're sugar alcohols or not.

There are many problems with sugar-free candies for many people. First off, sugar alcohols, such as malitol, have a STRONG laxative effect. After 2 pieces, some people are rushing to the bathroom. Then again, there are others who are unaffected by the laxative-effect of the sugar alcohols.

Secondly, sugar alcohol is an alcohol, and alcohol must be burned as fuel FIRST before the body can return to fat-burning. This can severely stall people.

If you are a "sweets" person or have a "sweet tooth" the SF candy can cause another problem--something known as the Cephalic Insulin Response. If you are a person who is affected by this (like me!) you eat something sweet, and that sweet taste triggers an insulin response in your body. Even though you didn't eat SUGAR, that sweet taste was enough to dump loads of insulin into your bloodstream. Usually this causes people (like me!) to crave MORE sweet things, and it's a dangerous cycle.

I've tried the sugar free chocolates before, and did not have problems with stalling or laxative-effect issues, I just had problems with portion control and the Cephalic Insulin Response. Even though they're not the greatest tasting things on earth, when I had one, I wanted MORE and MORE and MORE and just craved them. I could eat 2 bags in one sitting, no problem.

If you are on induction, I would say NO WAY JOSE. Doing a clean induction is really the best thing, and SF chocolates are not "clean."

Sugar alcohols affect each person differently, so I cannot predict how they will affect you. If you decide to try them, watch for side effects/cravings. If this occurs, it's best to get rid of them and never look their way again!

[keepinthinner]

Re: EXTENDED INDUCTION & SUGAR ALCOHOL

Hey Julie,

Thanks for the info. I'll just give them to a friend of mine who is diabetic, not worth the risk. By the way I was reading other posts on various issues and seem to think that Flax Seed might also be a staller for me. I lost almost 10 pounds in week one and today is end of week 2 and nothing. I wonder if this could be the problem since I added it to my siet early this week. I alsotest positive on the ketostix and then read that you can be reading positive on the fat your eating. Should we be measuring a certain amount of fat that we eat or what? I am getting a little confused here???

[julirama723]

Re: EXTENDED INDUCTION & SUGAR ALCOHOL

Flax is a known staller--it's to be used during induction only for "regularity" issues. If you're not having problems with constipation, it should be saved for OWL rung 3, as flax is a seed. I also learned today that 1tbsp of flax in your intestines can soak up 1/2c. of water, resulting in a pound weight "gain" on the scale. Isn't that crazy?

Ketostix measure for ketones, which are found in your urine when you are breaking down fat and using it for fuel, or switched to a fat-burning metabolism. It doesn't show that you've been EATING fat--it shows that your body is burning it.

As far as how much fat you should be eating, your daily caloric intake should be 65% fat, 5% carbs, and 30% protein. Do not focus on the calories during induction, focus on the percentages. Eat only until satisfied, and do not gorge. Your appetite should be naturally supressed. If not, you might not be eating enough fat--fat is what gives you that "satisfied" feeling after a meal. Fat is calorie-dense, meaning a little goes a long way. If you're not eating enough fat, try adding a pat of butter to your cooked veggies, or tossing your salad in olive oil. This should keep the ratios balanced.

Check out your ratios by getting an account at www.fitday.com. I track ALL of my food and exercise through there--it's awesome. You can also get reports on weight change, calories burned, nutritional goals, etc.

There is a mis-conception that Atkins is a high-protein diet, when really it's a high-fat diet. This makes sense when you think about it--if we are switching to a fat-burning metabolism, we need to give our bodies enough fuel (fat) to run.

[keepinthinner]

Re: EXTENDED INDUCTION & SUGAR ALCOHOL

Thanks once again Julie for the help. I am going to drop the flax seed and see how things go. I started using it because I went almost a week with no "movement" and thought I better do something. Funny though even after not going for a week I was not uncomfortable or anything I just did it as a precaution. Also thanks for the link I'll use it. Have a great night..

[sallyseachange]

Re: EXTENDED INDUCTION & SUGAR ALCOHOL

...Any old pro on here will tell you to count ALL the carbs, regardless of if they're sugar alcohols or not.

Yep... I'd go along with that wholeheartedly! Better safe than sorry.

[keepinthinner]

Re: EXTENDED INDUCTION & SUGAR ALCOHOL

Sally,

Question, does that mean NOT to subtract the dietary fiber for NET carbs?

[Laurenfra]

Re: EXTENDED INDUCTION & SUGAR ALCOHOL

You do subtact the fiber in your vegis for net carbs.

[keepinthinner]

Re: EXTENDED INDUCTION & SUGAR ALCOHOL

Hey thanks Lauren.... Congrats on your loss!!!

[sallyseachange]

Re: EXTENDED INDUCTION & SUGAR ALCOHOL

No... you can always subtract any fibre as it doesn't get 'absorbed'. Yay!!