"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.
bathroom cleaning service Northbrook ..I know how difficult it can be do stick to... Read More
It was bad enough hearing almost daily that obesity in... Read More
Are you tired of getting the same old advice when... Read More
Food cravings are crafty -- they appear from nowhere and... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power.Your Inner... Read More
Thinking about weight loss surgery? You're not alone. Over two-thirds... Read More
The goal of many athletes and exercisers is to "get... Read More
Have you ever decided to take a trip somewhere relatively... Read More
The first rule for successful weight loss and weight maintenance... Read More
The average American eats about twice as much protein than... Read More
The 3 day diet mixes certain types of foods that... Read More
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS!The health clubs are always racking... Read More
Spring is here and swimsuit weather is just around the... Read More
Dear BMTers,Low carb this and low carb that?that's all you... Read More
Have you been surfing the web trying to find a... Read More
Have you ever stepped on the scale after a week... Read More
To lose weight and keep it off you need an... Read More
Ever thought of, known someone, or gone on a diet?... Read More
I want to talk to you about cows and what... Read More
I am approaching 70 years of age very quickly and... Read More
One of the most popular diets is the low carb... Read More
Maybe you've heard about body dysmorphia ? it's a mental... Read More
Weight loss specialists will tell you that attitude has a... Read More
(Ailsa's Apple Crumble Diet)I'm Scottish, so it's not a big... Read More
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More
insured cleaning company Wilmette ..Q: I've heard you mention that you don't need tons... Read More
Diet PillsTaking diet pills is definitely not an effective weight... Read More
Put simply, your resting metabolic rate is the minimum number... Read More
Looking to lose some pounds quickly? Fast and safe weight... Read More
The Quest to Reach Your Ideal WeightIt was late in... Read More
Do You Sometimes Eat Because You're Afraid You'll "Miss Out"... Read More
*Do you truly believe that not eating or cutting back... Read More
Have you ever thought, "I just can not seem to... Read More
Obesity is quickly becoming the number one health issue confronting... Read More
Diet is a dreadful word for most of us because... Read More
1. Increase your fiber intake. The body needs a lot... Read More
How to Break the Weighing HabitFace it, if you weigh... Read More
Fifteen years ago the doctor's suggested that we eat pasta... Read More
This year, we all made some of the typical New... Read More
Do you want to lose weight? Of course you do,... Read More
Gaining up to 20 pounds over four years can significantly... Read More
Do you have a big event coming up? Perhaps you... Read More
The percentage of Americans who are overweight and obese is... Read More
If you have been watching your weight all year, you... Read More
From the book Spider's Big CatchLike many people, I've decided... Read More
If your low carb diet is going nowhere, maybe its... Read More
For years the experts have been telling us that diets... Read More
Dr. Hagglund's Healthy Eating Tips(All wheat products, bananas*, breads, rice,... Read More
One of the most talked about topics in any political... Read More
I had lost nearly fifty pounds before anyone mentioned my... Read More
Weight Loss |