Sugar Alcohols Bad?

[Buddyjay]

I thought sugar alcohols were "bad" for Atkins? I was at the market yesterday and noticed some low carb ice cream. The label read:
9g carbs
3g fibre
3g sugar
3g sugar alcohols

It also said "subtract the fibre AND the sugar alcohols to get 3g NET carbs per serving".
Is this true. I thought we had to count sugar alcohols?

[Jace]

Re: Sugar Alcohols Bad?

Typically, Sugar Alcohols are not metabolised by the body so they work much in the way fibre does (hence the mild dieuretic effect warning to products with sugar alcohols). They can be subtracted just like fibre from the total carb count.

The basic rule of thumb I find useful is if you personally experience the dieurectic effect from the product then you can be certain that it wasn't metabolised by your body and can subtract it from the total, but if you don't experience you will probably want to count every carb to be on the safe side.

Best of luck!

~Far la bella figura!

[Laurenfra]

Re: Sugar Alcohols Bad?

I count sugar alcohols, they raise my blood sugar. It is different for many. Its better to be safe and count then not.

[tmn]

Re: Sugar Alcohols Bad?

"To err is human, to arr is pirate."

LOL!

[Hudson]

Re: Sugar Alcohols Bad?

I see sugar alcohols as between sugar and fiber. They are not as good as fiber (you can subtract). But not as bad as sugar (you will not get the carbs of sugar). I have much better success completely avoiding Sugar alcohols.

[ttdriver]

Re: Sugar Alcohols Bad?

You may choose NOT to count SAs, but believe me, your gastrointestinal system will.


Betty