"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.
whole house cleaning Highland Park ..Weight loss is a hot topic among people today, especially... Read More
Not everyone can handle hot food. But who said cayenne... Read More
So you ask, "How do I determine if I am... Read More
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor; nor do I play... Read More
Temporary weight loss is easy!You simply starve yourself on the... Read More
This year, we all made some of the typical New... Read More
Every regime has its supply of useless folk lore and... Read More
For the person who wants to shed a few pounds... Read More
Weight Loss and Water: A Way to Make Your Body... Read More
You may have read the old stories about how much... Read More
In twenty years of consistant exercising, maintaining a low percentage... Read More
Make sure you check out the meaning of many common... Read More
For the past 20 years, the American public has been... Read More
Losing weight quickly is not advisable as most of the... Read More
What is the link between Hispanics and obesity? Are people... Read More
Understanding the theory of adaptation (see previous article, Adaptation I)... Read More
Now that the temptations of the Holiday season have passed... Read More
Obesity is now assuming epidemic proportions. Worldwide there are over... Read More
If you know someone that has been trying to lose... Read More
You have been on diets before. You probably have lost... Read More
Are you working hard in the gym 3 times a... Read More
Whether coming from a close friend, the nightly news or... Read More
You can overcome the desires of your sweet-tooth by incorporating... Read More
Many celiacs lose weight before they are diagnosed; indeed it... Read More
Reading labels is an essential part of any weight loss... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Glenview ..What's a Low Carb Diet Really Mean?When I hear low... Read More
Glycemic index ranks different carbohydrate foods depending on their potential... Read More
Many critics in have attacked low carb diets for only... Read More
In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More
The South Beach Diet works, for most people. Its low... Read More
FACT: Obesity accounts for 300,000 deaths a year in the... Read More
Learning the jargon is part of the weight loss journey.... Read More
If I collected a dime for each time I've seen... Read More
A number of popular diets are focused on carbohydrates. Some... Read More
Cut the Calories, Bring Out the BikiniSummer's almost here and... Read More
Maybe your doctor suggested it. Maybe your favorite outfit doesn't... Read More
In health clubs, they run classes that call themselves "aerobics".... Read More
To really understand the impact of a protein diet, it's... Read More
The market is flooded with weight loss supplements that make... Read More
? Can you give me an exercise that will get... Read More
If you are trying to lose weight you may find... Read More
Have I become invisible or are people just aiming right... Read More
The underlying principles of low carb diets are based on... Read More
Are you someone who has, in the past, been on... Read More
It's really difficult for a person to socialise if he... Read More
One alternative method to traditional and tumescent liposuction is mesotherapy.... Read More
Let's not talk about diets. Diets are punishment ? like... Read More
Is Zone Diet a Fad?How do you recognize a fad... Read More
1. Include in your diet things that contain more water... Read More
Axiom Number One - Nourish your body.Probably the most important... Read More
Weight Loss |