Re: calculating net carbs/confusing

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/19/2004 2:50:09 PM Eastern Standard Time,

googiegail@... writes:

Sure, we are all responsible for reading labels and boxes and

drawing our own conclusions as to what may or may not work for us,

but in this instance it seems like the small print is WAY too

small.

Hi Gail,

This is the reason I don't even bother to count carbs. I know that back in

the spring I was eating some of those bars. They did not affect my bg's, but

caused me to gain weight.

Why not take something like peanut butter or cheese crackers, especially if

you are going to be doing a lot of walking. That is what I would do rather

than those so called low carb bars that have lots of other stuff in them.

Hope you have fun.

PS: I went shopping today. Found some great bargains. LOL

hugs

Eunice

[Guest guest]

I'm glad it at least had the diabetes statement on there. I count

full carbs. It works for me.

The whole net carb thing is a scam related to the Atkins diet. I

think all should count all carbs.

IMHO, a carb is a carb.

What really kind of disturbed

> me is, that in teeny tiny print, there is a notation that says " for

> people with diabetes: total carbohydrate content should be counted

> when calculating carbohydrate intake. Net carbs are not intended

> for diabetic control. "

[Guest guest]

Gail,

> peanut butter or cheese crackers, especially if

> you are going to be doing a lot of walking. That is what I would

do rather

> than those so called low carb bars that have lots of other stuff

in them.

>

> Hope you have fun.

>

> PS: I went shopping today. Found some great bargains. LOL

>

> hugs

> Eunice

>

>

> Funny you should mention the PB crackers, because I also got a

package of those. I'll be in Virginia for Christmas and look forward

to my trip to Hecht's- my sister in law has promised to look for a

coupon in the paper for the extra discount! And we're bringing the

mini van, hahaha,

gail

[Guest guest]

Understanding Sugar Alcohols

Sugar Alcohols aren't a " sugar " and aren't an " alcohol " , they're

a " polyol " - a carbohydrate that, according to the FDA, has a limited

impact on blood glucose levels and insulin release.

Low-Carb product manufacturers' offer us yet another view, that these

bars are ideal for a " low-carb lifestyle " and are " low-impact " for

the carbs they contain. We're a new target audience as we too, like

diabetics, count the carbohydrates we eat per meal and in each day.

When you eat a product containing sugar alcohols - maltitol,

mannitol, sorbitol, Xylitol, HSH (commonly labeled as Lycasin™) -

they are digested more slowly than sucrose (sugar) and other basic

carbohydrates. Because of this slower rate of metabolism, they will

have a lesser impact on blood glucose levels changing dramatically.

They do however contain calories and are metabolized for energy as a

carbohydrate!

The amount of calories each gram of sugar alcohol carries depends on

not only which one is used, but also which formulation of the sugar

alcohol is used - Maltitol alone has four formulas, and manufacturers

do not state which is used in the production of the product. Sugar

Alcohols contain anywhere from 2.1 calories per gram to 4 calories

per gram.

In addition to this, the labels clearly state that the sugar alcohols

in the product may have a laxative effect. Also, many anecdotal

evidence suggests that products containing sugar alcohols may stall

weight-loss efforts. The reason for this is not completely clear -

it may be the additional calories or it may be the ingredients?

Sound a bit confusing? For many low-carbers it is!

Do Sugar Alcohols count?

Yes!

That is, unless you're somehow not able to metabolize and absorb

carbohydrates you eat - and please let me know how you managed that!

They do need to be counted in your carb intake for the day!