So whats the truth about Sugar Alchohols?

[shari_dawn]

I decided to start posting again and thought I'd start with a question that has been bothering me lately. With this medication I've been taking it leaves this aweful metallic taste in my mouth so I've been chewing SF gum. It says It has 2 carbs a piece but then says 2 grams of sugar alcohols. I've heard conflicting stories about it. I've been told to take the sugar alcohols and fibers from the total carbs to get the net carbs. I don't seem to stall with them I just wanted to know the opinions of everyone on the board.

Another thing. you chew gum and then spit it out. are the figures on the nutritional facts for people who actually swallow it? I never ever do but i've been wondering that too.

[julirama723]

Re: So whats the truth about Sugar Alchohols?

The gum has 2g per serving generally, and a serving is usually 2 pieces. So possibly each piece is only 1g.

Sugar alcohols affect everyone differently. Some people experience a laxative effect, some people get cravings, and some people are unfazed by them. We're told by manufacturers that we can subract all sugar alcohols and fiber to find "net" carbs. When dealing with sugar alcohols, it's best to count all of them, especially if you *don't* get a laxative effect--this means your body processed the SAs like normal sugar.

You don't have to swallow gum to ingest the sugar alcohols. The minute we put anything into our mouths, absorbtion of sugar begins.