Diabetes Direction

Sugar alcohols is a confusing subject. Packaged food claim to be sugar free, yet they often have many sugar alcohols. Are they “safe” to eat for Diabetics, or should we avoid them?

Sugar alcohols are sneaky, as they are neither sugar nor alcohol. The chemical structure resembles both sugar and alcohol, so that is where the name comes from. They are actually carbohydrates used to sweeten processed foods, though they have about half of the calories and carbs as regular sugar. Besides the reduced calories, sugar alcohols do not cause tooth decay like regular sugar does. Other benefits are that sugar alcohols are fine for baking as they do not lose their sweet flavor when heated. They also do not grow molds and bacteria like regular sugar does. The down side to sugar alcohols, besides having carbohydrates and calories, is that eating too much can cause tummy upset, gas, bloating and diarrhea.

While I find many sweet treats to have more carbohydrates than I like to allow, many people do feel that it is ok to enjoy them in small servings and as an occasional treat. Remember to check your blood glucose afterward to make sure YOU do ok with them. I recommend checking at 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours and 6 hours in order to get a really good look at the outcome.

Here is a link to a bottle of maltitol sweetener that can be used for cooking and baking. Click the image to purchase on Amazon:

Check the ingredient labels on the “sugar free” foods that you buy or consider buying. The typical ones are erythritol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol. You probably notice that they often end in “ol”! These sugar alcohols are also used in non-food products such as medications, mouthwash, gum and breath mints.

With summer just around the corner, sugar free treats are going to be difficult to pass by. Most of us love ice cream, frozen fruit bars, cream pies, etc. and we will be tempted by the “sugar free” versions. I always get a little excited when I see those two words on something that looks delicious, and then get a big let-down when I read the nutritional label.

It has been way too long without ice cream in our house, so this summer I am going to attempt to make real sugar free ice creams using one of the gel canister ice cream makers. These do not require ice or salt to freeze the mix. I will let you know how it all turns out, once I get the machine and give it a try. I’m pretty sure that my sweet daughters are buying me one for Mother’s Day, so I am very excited!

Click on the picture above to buy your own ice cream maker like I will be using, and be sure to let me know what creations you come up with!

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