What are sugar alcohols and how do they stall weight loss?
 

Dear Fellow Low-carbers,

In Atkins Book NDR, chapter 19, page 245 - I see that sugar alcohol can be subtracted from total carbs along with Fiber and Glycerine when counting carbohydrates in food products.

This that said, I don't really understand what Sugar Alcohol is.

I am searching other resources also.

Thank you

Found my answer - http://www.lowcarb.ca/tips/tips010.html
for anyone who is also interested

Sugar Alcohols are Hydrogenated Sugars...Not to be mistaken for Hydrogenated Oils, which you should avoid. They normal end in the suffix -itol (Maltitol, Mannitol, Sorbitol, Xylitol, Lactitol, Erythritol, etc...) There are some exceptions to the naming conventions, namely Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate (HSH) and Hydrogenated Glucose Syrup.

If the package lists "Hydrogenated" followed by a Sugar (Ends in -ose) or Starch then it is a Polyol (Sugar Alcohol) and can usually be subtracted. Just remember...if the words after "Hydrogenated" is xxxx oil (I.E. Hydrogenated Soybean Oil) that it is a Trans-Fat and should be avoided. Hydrogenated Carbs = Good (unless they stall/give you gas), Hydrogenated Fats = Bad.

The prefix (I.E. Lact-) tells the sugar it came from. Lactitol is Hydrogenated Lactose. Supposedly they have minimal effect of Insulin and are OK for LCing. For some people, they cause stalling. For some the cause Gas and Bloating.

I know I can handle 2 packets of the Carbolite Gummy Bears (60g Polyols/each) with no problem. Some people can't handle a single LC Candy Bar (20g Polyols/each). YMMV. I try to avoid Maltitol due to its high Glycemic Index. I don't believe that something with a GI as high as sugar doesn't affect Insulin. Most other Polyols have very low to Zero Glycemic Indices.

BTW, Hydrogenated Sugars (most) are Naturally occuring (rare, but still natural), unlike Hydrogenated Fats which are brewed up in a lab.

Did someone say gummi bears?!?? Where can you find those? I haven't been able to find any SF candy not either chocolate or hard candy...

I got them at CVS. They are made by Carbolite. Where you in Florida ??? I'm in P'Cola, and found mine at the CVS on 9th & Creighton.

cc48510 - Wow & Thanks! You provided more than I have found. I admit that I will have re-read your reply more to once to commit it to memory. I clearly see where sugar-free products don't mean sugar-free affects!

warmest regards,

I'm in Tallahassee ^_^ I can't think of a CVS around here, but I'll start coming the shelves at Eckerd and Walgreens :)