Sugar Alcohols . . .

[DMurray]

How do you feel about them? I was looking at the "no sugar added" "ice cream" products in the store today and see that they list the amount of sugar alcohols in each serving. I did a little research on them and the ADA (http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fit...-alcohols.html ) says you need to calculate your carbs slightly differently. Sugar alcohols have been around for years-xylitol for example. the biggest negative effect of them can be gas and diarrhea (I'm so glad I read that after I ate an ice cream bar containing sugar alcohols and I'm soon on my way to work!). So, what is the general feeling here about sugar alcohols-are they good or to be avoided?

I have to say that after reading the label on the Klondike Slim-a-Bear bars I purchased, I am thoroughly confused (and I feel I'm a pretty good label reader). Each bar has 170 cal, 10g fat, 22g carbs including 7 grams of sugar alcohol. It says right on the label that these are not a "low calorie food", I really don't consider 10g to be low fat, so what's the point in eating these bars over say, a reduced fat Skinny Cow bar with normal ingredients (well, somewhat normal, anyway). Just curious about how others feel . . .
Thanks!
Deb

[BucknellAlum]

I prefer not to eat them. I would much rather have a smaller portion of "real" ice cream. SOme of them do cause different types of GI reactions, so I avoid them for that reason, but also because I am not entirely comfortable with the artificial sweeteners anyway.

Are you asking because you need to count your carbs for diabetes, or just trying to keep calorie counts down in general?

[DMurray]

Thanks, I'm leaning the same way. Primarily we're just counting calories, DH and I both have hgb A1c's that we're watching, but hopefully losing a little weight and some exercise will take care of the problem before there is an official diabetes diagnosis.
Thanks again,
Deb