Hi all....

I had surgery Wednesday and I'm feeling better each day. I'm still a bit sore and bruised but actually going to go to the movies today....YAY!!

My question is about sugar....

My Dr suggests sugar free puddings as a snack. I bought the Hunts sugar free chocolate. But I looked on the nutrition info and even though it said sugar zero and 70 calories it had a lot of sugar alcohol in it? What exactly is sugar alcohol and is that still "bad"?

My goal is to not be on sugar and to be low carb but I don't think this pudding is low carb....any suggestions, advice or answers appreciated. Hope all of you are well....

Meg

Good question. I don't know exactly what suger alcohols are (I know they act as a sweetner). However, on atkins I learned it doesn't raise your blood suger level like regular sugar does. Low carb is all about keeping your blood sugar nice and steady. I eat sugar free jello- only 10 calories.

Sugar alcohols aren't 'bad' in terms of what they can do, weight-wise; your body will not absorb them.

BUT--and it's a big but--they can wreak havoc on the gut. Many, many people are very sensitive to them---and even those who are not particularly sensitive generally have to limit their intake of sugar alcohols lest they experience cramping, gas, and diarrhea.

Preop, I bought a box of Werther's mini butterscotches--the sugar-free kind. There are 5 in a serving---and eating just one (for a total of <3 mg sugar alcohol) made me so so so sick that I won't even touch the stuff now.

Your mileage may vary---many people don't have problems, as long as they are careful with their intake. Hopefully, you'll be among them. But since you're so freshly out of the OR, I think that, in your shoes, I might postpone experimenting until you feel up to ...well, dealing with possible consequences. I'd hate for you to add cramping and diarrhea to the mix at this point.

I'm glad you're doing so well postop--have fun at the movies!

Sugar alcohols or Malitol (sp?) do wreak havoc with many people. I can use one or two pieces of sugar free chocolate and then I have to quit or it will gas me up terribly. The Sugar free Jello puddings use Aspertame, so it is easier to digest. Some are sensitive to Aspertame also. I tend to look for things sweetened with splenda, but it is more expensive so it is hard to find things sweetened with it. You are right to be leary of food labels though. I am diabetic and can tell within 30 minutes if a food label is a lie. Many are, so just listen to your little voice inside. It will tell you if something isn't right!!! Best of luck!!! Hugs!!!!