Sugar Free Jolly Ranchers

Livnlow · 11-05-2004, 06:14 AM

Are these ok for Atkins? It lists 13g of carbs for 4 pieces but it lists them all under sugar alcohols.

shiNer45 · 11-05-2004, 11:15 AM

it depends on yourself, some people count the sugar alcohols, some count half, some dont count sugar alcohols,

so i geuss it depends on where you stand, if these things start to slow u doen, i would consider counting some if not all of them just so u dont go too far with them,

i myself dont count them and havent had any problems, keeping moderation in mind when eating them,

worst thing was the laxative effect with some of them, which doesnt really bother me too much,

thats my opinion

Atkins_Nutritionist · 11-05-2004, 02:14 PM

I recently learned from speaking with our senior food scientist that the matrix that the sugar alcohols are in matter more in terms of the blood sugar and GI effect than the number of grams of sugar alcohols in the product. For example, in the jolly rancher you mention, the sugar alcohols are likely in a very loose matrix so the sugar alcohols will be more available to be digested and absorbed and will probably affect blood sugar and GI. I don't have the label in front of me, but I am sure that sugar alcohols are also probably the main ingredient in the Jolly Ranchers. But when sugar alcohols are replacing other carbohydrates in a product such as a bar, the matrix is a lot tighter as it is likely trapped between protein, fat, and fiber. So it is not as available to be digested and absorbed and will not affect blood sugar and GI as much.

So just because there are 5 sugar alcohols in a meal replacement bar, for example, and 5 sugar alcohols in a controlled carb treat, for example, these sugar alcohols will not have the same affect since the matrix they are in are different. So not only are not all sugar alcohols created equal but neither are the amounts. This is why the subtraction method to calculate Net Carbs isn’t always accurate. Because the sugar alcohols may affect blood sugar if the matrix is loose. With the Net Atkins Count, the actual blood sugar response is measured which takes into consideration the matrix. Other companies will still be using the subtraction method, so there is no way to tell if the sugar alcohols in those products will actually effect blood sugar.

Matt · 11-10-2004, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Atkins_Nutritionist
I recently learned from speaking with our senior food scientist that the matrix that the sugar alcohols are in matter more in terms of the blood sugar and GI effect than the number of grams of sugar alcohols in the product. For example, in the jolly rancher you mention, the sugar alcohols are likely in a very loose matrix so the sugar alcohols will be more available to be digested and absorbed and will probably affect blood sugar and GI. I don't have the label in front of me, but I am sure that sugar alcohols are also probably the main ingredient in the Jolly Ranchers. But when sugar alcohols are replacing other carbohydrates in a product such as a bar, the matrix is a lot tighter as it is likely trapped between protein, fat, and fiber. So it is not as available to be digested and absorbed and will not affect blood sugar and GI as much.

So just because there are 5 sugar alcohols in a meal replacement bar, for example, and 5 sugar alcohols in a controlled carb treat, for example, these sugar alcohols will not have the same affect since the matrix they are in are different. So not only are not all sugar alcohols created equal but neither are the amounts. This is why the subtraction method to calculate Net Carbs isn’t always accurate. Because the sugar alcohols may affect blood sugar if the matrix is loose. With the Net Atkins Count, the actual blood sugar response is measured which takes into consideration the matrix. Other companies will still be using the subtraction method, so there is no way to tell if the sugar alcohols in those products will actually effect blood sugar.

good point AN!

11-05-2004, 06:14 AM	#1
Livnlow Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Waldorf, Maryland Posts: 70 Gallery: Livnlow	Sugar Free Jolly Ranchers Are these ok for Atkins? It lists 13g of carbs for 4 pieces but it lists them all under sugar alcohols.

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11-05-2004, 11:15 AM	#2
shiNer45 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 709 Gallery: shiNer45 Stats: 208 / 148 / No Flab !! WOE: Low Carb, P90, P90X Starting Sept 08, running Start Date: August 10, 2004	it depends on yourself, some people count the sugar alcohols, some count half, some dont count sugar alcohols, so i geuss it depends on where you stand, if these things start to slow u doen, i would consider counting some if not all of them just so u dont go too far with them, i myself dont count them and havent had any problems, keeping moderation in mind when eating them, worst thing was the laxative effect with some of them, which doesnt really bother me too much, thats my opinion

11-05-2004, 02:14 PM	#3
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	I recently learned from speaking with our senior food scientist that the matrix that the sugar alcohols are in matter more in terms of the blood sugar and GI effect than the number of grams of sugar alcohols in the product. For example, in the jolly rancher you mention, the sugar alcohols are likely in a very loose matrix so the sugar alcohols will be more available to be digested and absorbed and will probably affect blood sugar and GI. I don't have the label in front of me, but I am sure that sugar alcohols are also probably the main ingredient in the Jolly Ranchers. But when sugar alcohols are replacing other carbohydrates in a product such as a bar, the matrix is a lot tighter as it is likely trapped between protein, fat, and fiber. So it is not as available to be digested and absorbed and will not affect blood sugar and GI as much. So just because there are 5 sugar alcohols in a meal replacement bar, for example, and 5 sugar alcohols in a controlled carb treat, for example, these sugar alcohols will not have the same affect since the matrix they are in are different. So not only are not all sugar alcohols created equal but neither are the amounts. This is why the subtraction method to calculate Net Carbs isn’t always accurate. Because the sugar alcohols may affect blood sugar if the matrix is loose. With the Net Atkins Count, the actual blood sugar response is measured which takes into consideration the matrix. Other companies will still be using the subtraction method, so there is no way to tell if the sugar alcohols in those products will actually effect blood sugar.