Sugar-Free

[wyntersmom]

Are suger free foods ok for this diet? What is the difference in sugar and sugar alcohols as far as nutritional value?

[skelooth]

here is my opinion:

Artificial sweetners are man made garbage to be grouped in the same category as high fructose corn syrup. If you want "nutritional value" you're best off using real cane sugar or honey.

As far as keto diets are concerned, yes sugar alchohols are fine. Sugar alcohols pass through your body and do not get broken down like normal sugar.

[Eileen]

Doesn't often happen, but I'm going to disagree with Skelooth on this one. The manufacturers of sugar alcohols will claim that they don't impact blood glucose levels, but this is a Your Milage May Vary one. For some people they do. As a general rule, if you can eat sugar alcohols without a tummy ache, smelly farts and the runs, you are digesting them and should count all the carbs.

In any case, they are definitely not calorie free. A bar with sugar alcohols can often pack the same calories as a small steak and salad.

[WorldStrike]

Please check labels. Remember that Sugar Free DOES NOT mean Carb Free. A very good example of this is Sugar Free Jell-o Pudding, or the majority of the sugar-free syrups you'll find in common stores. All carbs minus fiber count towards your total. Don't trust the 'sugar free' label, check the back.