"Polyols" or sugar alcohols are a number of different carbohydrates that are neither sugars nor alcohols--and are commonly used as artificial sweeteners in a range of products, from ice cream to chewing gum.
While these tasty sweeteners appear to be the perfect solution for both low-carb dieters and low-carb food producers, recent studies of sugar alcohols have painted a somewhat different picture.
To begin with, sugar alcohols are not entirely carb-free. Most studies have indicated that sugar alcohols contain approximately 1/2 to 1/3 the amount of calories as sugar--and in the form of carbohydrates.
In addition, studies have shown that sugar alcohols are absorbed by the small intestine, but the process is slower and fractured. This affects a rise in blood sugar, but again is smaller and more gradual than with sugar--and the rise tends to vary from person to person.
Sugar alcohols also have a laxative effect on some consumers. Since they are only partially absorbed, they bring water into the bowel--and undigested carbs into the colon, creating gas and bloating as the carbs are acted on by bacteria.
Over-consumption of sugar alcohols can often have an adverse effect on low carb dieters, even when they can digest them properly. Sugar alcohols can trigger cravings in low carb dieters, causing them to deviate from dietary restrictions.
In addition, sugar alcohols can often cause low carb dieters to choose an unhealthy diet of sweets, which appear to be carb-free, over a varied diet that includes essential nutrients.
If you are currently on a low carb diet and want to mix sugar alcohol products into your diet, it is very important that you monitor your total sugar alcohol intake--and keep it at a minimum while consuming a healthy diet.
One easy way to do this is to determine the total amount of carbs in sugar alcohol products you are consuming. You can do this by subtracting the amount of fat and protein calories per serving from the total amount of calories per serving. Simply multiply the grams of protein by four and the grams of fat by nine. Now subtract the sum of the two from the total amount of calories per serving.
Using these figures, you can determine whether or not carbs are being "hidden" in "carb free" sugar alcohol products you consume, allowing you to make a better-informed decision that fits the prescriptions of your low-carb diet.
Benji Paras runs http://www.list-of-low-carb-food.com, specializing in the benefits of the low-carb lifestyle. The site contains a treasure trove of information for losing weight, and includes a http://www.list-of-low-carb-food.com along with informative articles and the latest low-carb headlines.
housekeepers near Buffalo Grove ..The difference between weight loss, and steady or weight gain,... Read More
Obesity is quickly becoming the number one health issue confronting... Read More
As of the writing of this article, May 16, 2005,... Read More
I am a Registered Dietitian who has spent over 10,000... Read More
Dietitians just plain don't like low-carb or high-protein diets.Whether it's... Read More
If you are losing, trying to lose, or think you... Read More
Close kept secrets to weight loss: Give me 9 days... Read More
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity... Read More
When you begin the decision making process to have Weight... Read More
Losing weight on hips and thighs has always been a... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
The incidences of deseases like obesity, diabetes, colon deseases etc.are... Read More
Yes, you must be aware of the following 7 points... Read More
I get asked all the time, "what do you think... Read More
Losing Weight is All About Counting Calories/Carbs and Exercising. Or... Read More
Everyone who has ever tried to lose weight has hit... Read More
According to a recent survey by the National Health Institute,... Read More
"How do I lose 5 kg or 30 kg?""How do... Read More
There are many books and internet articles written about weight... Read More
It was bad enough hearing almost daily that obesity in... Read More
I have been seriously working on losing weight for about... Read More
Experts say obesity will overtake smoking as the biggest health... Read More
Lose Weight - Grab A GlassIn childhood, we heard it:... Read More
Low carb beer and lite beer are two different animals.... Read More
With tons of information out there on "Fat Acceptance" does... Read More
custom home cleaning Mundelein ..Do you tend to find your weight increases when you... Read More
The revolution is here. Weight Loss as we know it... Read More
One of the most important things you can do for... Read More
R...real foodE...exerciseS...spiritual stuff first and the other stuff secondU...ultimately, you... Read More
When we hear all the success stories of the gastric... Read More
So you've decided that you're going to do it.You're sick... Read More
Digestion is a chemical process. Our body combines different types... Read More
Don't get discouraged. I, too, have found myself in this... Read More
Getting Started on The Clean DietIf you want to lose... Read More
Ever notice how your best friend can lose weight on... Read More
Phentermine, like many other prescription drugs, works with chemicals called... Read More
Cardio Exercise...A huge variety of fitness activities provide cardiovascular benefits.... Read More
Adherence to diet for one year, not the specific diet... Read More
At the University of Illinois, a new research found that... Read More
There is no question that having a massage makes you... Read More
Weight loss is so consistent and rapid after gastric bypass... Read More
(Ailsa's Apple Crumble Diet)I'm Scottish, so it's not a big... Read More
You have noticed your obese friend suddenly slimmer. You want... Read More
A "normal-tummy" looks at the food pyramid from the bottom... Read More
The Sour Truth -------------------------- Question: I had a baby 6... Read More
There are several factors in winning at weight loss. Sometimes... Read More
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More
In this age being ignorant is like committing a crime.... Read More
How many of your New Year's resolution start out with... Read More
The safe way to lose weight begins with a thorough... Read More
Weight Loss |