Comments on: The Truth of Sugar Free http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/ A Blog About Real Living with Diabetes Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:26:00 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: SugarFree Isn't http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/comment-page-1/#comment-399 SugarFree Isn't Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:19:53 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/#comment-399 Until they start using tagatosein in place of sugar, and go away from the sugar-alcohol based sweeteners, I won't touch anything that's labeled sugar-free. tagatosein is a left-handed sugar (the molecule is spun opposite to the standard sugar molecule) made from processing whey. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.11/newsugar_pr.html The human body cannot process the sugar, so it passes through the body without effecting it (at most, some human bodies can process as much as 15% of the tagatosein content - still a lot better than 100% of regular sugar). It is real sugar as far as look, taste, molecular makeup goes - it can be used to directly replace standard sugar. (I'm thinking Pepsi throwback or Mt. Dew Throwback made with tagatosein here). It hasn't been processed with chlorine as splenda has, so doesn't cause the allergic reactions that splenda is known to do. It doesn't break down into formaldehyde like nutrasweet does when stored above 70. Nor does it contain the phenolketonurics that nutrasweet does - which can cause all kinds of health problems. Until they start using tagatosein in place of sugar, and go away from the sugar-alcohol based sweeteners, I won’t touch anything that’s labeled sugar-free.

tagatosein is a left-handed sugar (the molecule is spun opposite to the standard sugar molecule) made from processing whey.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.11/newsugar_pr.html

The human body cannot process the sugar, so it passes through the body without effecting it (at most, some human bodies can process as much as 15% of the tagatosein content – still a lot better than 100% of regular sugar).

It is real sugar as far as look, taste, molecular makeup goes – it can be used to directly replace standard sugar. (I’m thinking Pepsi throwback or Mt. Dew Throwback made with tagatosein here).

It hasn’t been processed with chlorine as splenda has, so doesn’t cause the allergic reactions that splenda is known to do.

It doesn’t break down into formaldehyde like nutrasweet does when stored above 70. Nor does it contain the phenolketonurics that nutrasweet does – which can cause all kinds of health problems.

]]> By: Nan http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/comment-page-1/#comment-277 Nan Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:43:22 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/#comment-277 After my failed attempt at a Splenda-fied cake for my little type 1's 3rd birthday, I've given up the sugar-free idea. (Except for tried and true jello and popsicles!) Our endo doc said just to watch the decadent desserts and limit them but just have the real thing, count carbs best you can and correct. Who knows...they will soon find something wrong with all these sugar-free sweeteners... After my failed attempt at a Splenda-fied cake for my little type 1’s 3rd birthday, I’ve given up the sugar-free idea. (Except for tried and true jello and popsicles!) Our endo doc said just to watch the decadent desserts and limit them but just have the real thing, count carbs best you can and correct. Who knows…they will soon find something wrong with all these sugar-free sweeteners…

]]> By: JaimieH http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/comment-page-1/#comment-249 JaimieH Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:31:18 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/#comment-249 I try to avoid sugarfree products as much as possible. They are usually 99% of the time replacing the sugar w/additional fat as well (bad oils too)...sugar alcohols and I don't agree in general...I get bad stomach cramping etc, even some sugar free gums make me queezy sometimes... Sugar free label is a crock and it is hard to get people to realize that even though I'm diabetic I don't buy it...and it really saddens me the newly diagnosed go straight out and buy all the sugar free products they can fill their cupboards with because I did the same many years ago until I realized how terrible they really can be for you... I try to avoid sugarfree products as much as possible. They are usually 99% of the time replacing the sugar w/additional fat as well (bad oils too)…sugar alcohols and I don’t agree in general…I get bad stomach cramping etc, even some sugar free gums make me queezy sometimes…

Sugar free label is a crock and it is hard to get people to realize that even though I’m diabetic I don’t buy it…and it really saddens me the newly diagnosed go straight out and buy all the sugar free products they can fill their cupboards with because I did the same many years ago until I realized how terrible they really can be for you…

]]> By: Tony http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/comment-page-1/#comment-248 Tony Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:35:20 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/#comment-248 It's nice to see that I'm not the only one passing on the sugar free foods. When comparing the nutritional information and the actual taste, I'm not sure it's worth giving up on the "good" stuff for the sugar [taste] free ones. @Glucoholic - I welcome and appreciate a different perspective. You are absolutely correct according to my research about the sugar alcohols when counting carbs. Again, I'm not sure giving up on the taste is worth the trouble. Thanks for the info and different perspective. According to the American Diabetes Association: Tips for Carb Counting and Sugar Alcohols Sugar alcohols don’t raise blood glucose as much as the same amount of other carbohydrates. To figure out the amount of other carbohydrate you should count for a food with sugar alcohols, follow these tips: * Subtract half of the sugar alcohol grams from the total carbohydrate * Count the remaining grams For Example: Serving Size: 1 bar Total carbohydrate 15 grams -- Sugar alcohol 6 grams One bar counts as 12 grams carbohydrate (15 – 3 = 12) It’s nice to see that I’m not the only one passing on the sugar free foods. When comparing the nutritional information and the actual taste, I’m not sure it’s worth giving up on the “good” stuff for the sugar [taste] free ones.

@Glucoholic – I welcome and appreciate a different perspective. You are absolutely correct according to my research about the sugar alcohols when counting carbs. Again, I’m not sure giving up on the taste is worth the trouble. Thanks for the info and different perspective. According to the American Diabetes Association:

Tips for Carb Counting and Sugar Alcohols

Sugar alcohols don’t raise blood glucose as much as the same amount of other carbohydrates. To figure out the amount of other carbohydrate you should count for a food with sugar alcohols, follow these tips:

* Subtract half of the sugar alcohol grams from the total carbohydrate
* Count the remaining grams

For Example:
Serving Size: 1 bar
Total carbohydrate 15 grams — Sugar alcohol 6 grams
One bar counts as 12 grams carbohydrate (15 – 3 = 12)

]]> By: glucoholic http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/comment-page-1/#comment-246 glucoholic Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:27:02 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/#comment-246 I thought I would provide a little different perspective here. I review a lot of these "no sugar" products, and it's not really an all-or-nothing approach I try to take. Most of the products that have no sugar and a high number of carbohydrate grams use sugar alcohols to achieve sweetness. Not all sugar alcohols are created equal. Some have pretty high glycemic index values, and some have almost no impact on blood glucose. The labels must report the sugar alcohol grams the same no matter what their impact is. In my experience you can subtract half the sugar alcohol grams from the total carbohydrate gram count for a fairly reliable measure of carbohydrate gram impact. Everyone's metabolism is different, and this discussion is a good opportunity to point out that consistent testing and experimenting is the best way to determine what snacks are good for you. I thought I would provide a little different perspective here. I review a lot of these “no sugar” products, and it’s not really an all-or-nothing approach I try to take.

Most of the products that have no sugar and a high number of carbohydrate grams use sugar alcohols to achieve sweetness. Not all sugar alcohols are created equal. Some have pretty high glycemic index values, and some have almost no impact on blood glucose. The labels must report the sugar alcohol grams the same no matter what their impact is.

In my experience you can subtract half the sugar alcohol grams from the total carbohydrate gram count for a fairly reliable measure of carbohydrate gram impact. Everyone’s metabolism is different, and this discussion is a good opportunity to point out that consistent testing and experimenting is the best way to determine what snacks are good for you.

]]> By: Rachel http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/comment-page-1/#comment-245 Rachel Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:27:15 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/#comment-245 No sugar free for us either. When Tristan was first diagnosed, we tried them. Then realized what a scam it was!!!! I love when I see advertisement suggesting that sugar free is good for diabetic!! It's diabetic food!! That really gets me going LOL :) No sugar free for us either. When Tristan was first diagnosed, we tried them. Then realized what a scam it was!!!! I love when I see advertisement suggesting that sugar free is good for diabetic!! It’s diabetic food!! That really gets me going LOL :)

]]> By: Gary http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/comment-page-1/#comment-244 Gary Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:31:24 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/#comment-244 Have to pass on the "Sugar Free" stuff. Such a scam. You have to love getting sugar free candy as a holiday gift. Hey - If you're going to buy me candy, get me the good stuff! It's about carbs NOT SUGAR!! Have to pass on the “Sugar Free” stuff. Such a scam. You have to love getting sugar free candy as a holiday gift. Hey – If you’re going to buy me candy, get me the good stuff! It’s about carbs NOT SUGAR!!

]]> By: Jill http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/comment-page-1/#comment-243 Jill Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:59:00 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/#comment-243 We don't buy the sugar free at all. When we went through the nutrition class 2 days after Kacey was diagnosed, we learned about carb counting and how sugar free is NOT carb free. When we compared things like ice cream and cookies, the ones with sugar in them had less carbs. So we were told...why eat the nasty sugar free cookies when you can have the good ones with less carbs...LOL! It's hard to get other people to understand that Kacey CAN eat regular food and even though they buy her sugar free stuff, I try not to hurt their feelings but show them that it's not the sugar we're watching...it's the carbs :) We also don't bolus any different. Carbs are carbs and they all get counted the same way unless it's got more than 5g of fiber and then we subtract. We don’t buy the sugar free at all. When we went through the nutrition class 2 days after Kacey was diagnosed, we learned about carb counting and how sugar free is NOT carb free. When we compared things like ice cream and cookies, the ones with sugar in them had less carbs. So we were told…why eat the nasty sugar free cookies when you can have the good ones with less carbs…LOL! It’s hard to get other people to understand that Kacey CAN eat regular food and even though they buy her sugar free stuff, I try not to hurt their feelings but show them that it’s not the sugar we’re watching…it’s the carbs :) We also don’t bolus any different. Carbs are carbs and they all get counted the same way unless it’s got more than 5g of fiber and then we subtract.

]]> By: Scott K. Johnson http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/comment-page-1/#comment-242 Scott K. Johnson Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:45:31 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/#comment-242 I'm wise to their schemes too. Like you say, it is all marketing, and getting people to believe that it is "SUGAR" they should avoid. I’m wise to their schemes too. Like you say, it is all marketing, and getting people to believe that it is “SUGAR” they should avoid.

]]> By: Jaclyn http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/comment-page-1/#comment-241 Jaclyn Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:10:45 +0000 http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2009/04/the-truth-of-sugar-free/#comment-241 It actually surprises me a little that it has more carbs, though if it had the same number, it wouldn't surprise me. I'll get the Murray sugar free brand at the store, and they'll often have the same total carbs as regular cookies, though maybe half of them will be sugar alcohol. Which I suppose is its own issue--sugar alcohols usually get me near the same in the end, they're just significantly slower--like a few hours. They probably aren't lower calorie either though! Or at least, certainly not lower fat! Sometimes those things are worse. Which is just funny. I've also noticed that in low fat products will be higher carbs sometimes. It actually surprises me a little that it has more carbs, though if it had the same number, it wouldn’t surprise me. I’ll get the Murray sugar free brand at the store, and they’ll often have the same total carbs as regular cookies, though maybe half of them will be sugar alcohol. Which I suppose is its own issue–sugar alcohols usually get me near the same in the end, they’re just significantly slower–like a few hours.

They probably aren’t lower calorie either though! Or at least, certainly not lower fat! Sometimes those things are worse. Which is just funny. I’ve also noticed that in low fat products will be higher carbs sometimes.

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