Sugar alcohols - Diabetes Message Board

JacquelineL · 02-01-2004, 11:46 AM

I just tried some Carb Smart ice cream--chocolate and quite good. The nutrition label states total carbs equal 10, but if you subtract 3 for fiber and 3 for sugar alcohols, you get a total of 4 carbs for a 1/2 cup serving. That sounds great, but should I dismiss the effect sugar alcohols have on blood sugar? Do they raise it so slowly as to be of no importance?

Marie55 · 02-01-2004, 05:02 PM

I personally do not subtract fiber or sugar alcohols. It is my opinion it is best to base whether you can eat it or not on the total carbs. Some people will have an elevation of blood sugar due to the sugar alcohols and others will not.

I consider the total carbs and that will be a safety net helping to prevent going above my carb allotment.

SamQKitty · 02-01-2004, 08:31 PM

I also do not subtract the fiber or sugar alcohol. Despite being on a pump, I've found that I need to count total carbs, or I end up too high. In fact, for some foods I ADD a few tenths of a unit because I think the manufacturers either underestimate the number of carb grams or those foods just have a particularly bad effect on my blood glucose (chocolate is one...I don't indulge often, but if I do, I add at least5 to 10 to the carb gram count).

Ruth

Mommyof4 · 02-01-2004, 08:37 PM

I look at total carb count also as sugar alcohol affects my blood sugar. It is absorbed more slowly than regular sugar so they get away with telling you that it is sugar free. It does however have a lower carb count than the regular products so I use it sparingly.

My biggest problem with sugar alcohol is that it is not completely absorbed. This means a laxative effect if you get too much.

JacquelineL · 02-02-2004, 07:50 PM

Thanks. I'll have to keep watch on any sugar alcohols I consume and see how they affect me.