So wait, is Maltodextrin a complex carb OR a sugar?

[redhatyellow]

I've been adding Maltodextrin into my whey shakes for extra calories (bulking) along with olive oil but I hear people refer to it as a sugar-- is that true? I definitely do not want sugar in my shakes! the label says "<1g of sugar" so what's up here? i need all the extra calories i can get and im too busy to eat enough so i need to supplement with at least 2-3 shakes. i thought it was derived from corn and was a good, complex carb?

[Oddball8945]

its sugar

[plateau_max]

Malodextrin is a component of sugar like Dextrose and Sucrose. It's not a complete sugar so it's not going to have the same calorie value as sugar does, but it is used as a sweetener. I don't see how the label would say <1g of sugar, it's not sugar so it should say 0g.

What brand are you using? Is there a site link for it?

[in10city]

It's not a complete sugar

LOL... A sugar refers to a monosaccharide or disaccharide. It is or it isn't. It's a polysaccharide.

Technically, it is not a "sugar" but it is close in its digestion characteristics to sugars.

[plateau_max]

So how does having a lot of it produce a slight sugar content?

[in10city]

So how does having a lot of it produce a slight sugar content?

FDA labeling guidelines ... The 'Sugar' amount on the label is the amount of monosaccharides and disaccharides. Since it is not by definition a 'Sugar', it is not labeled as such, rather it is labeled like this ...

Carbo Powder: 50 g
Total Calories: 190
Total Carbohydrates: 47g
Sugars: 2g

[Struct09]

It's a weakly bonded polysaccharide, so it's technically a complex carbohydrate.

And it is marketed as such: http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/now/carbo.html

[Dr. Horse]

It's a weakly bonded polysaccharide, so it's technically a complex carbohydrate.

And it is marketed as such: http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/now/carbo.html

Finally, the answer!

"component of sugar"? Sorry, but LMAO on that one.

[redhatyellow]

Malodextrin is a component of sugar like Dextrose and Sucrose. It's not a complete sugar so it's not going to have the same calorie value as sugar does, but it is used as a sweetener. I don't see how the label would say <1g of sugar, it's not sugar so it should say 0g.

What brand are you using? Is there a site link for it?

The brand is Fitness Labs.

So I guess I should stop taking this stuff... even PWO?

[gfundaro]

It's the lovechild of maltose and dextrose, which is an isomer of glucose, like its slightly deformed twin.

Ah, these twisted tales we live.

Hehe, struct09 is right on

[RADIRON]

It's a complex carb that breaks down rapidly in the absence of a protein. Its GI is 135.

[bartekspitza]

All though it is in fact a bad carbohydrate. It can be useful in particular situations. For example post workout to get an insulin spike and deliver protein in to your muscles more quickly.

[Mrpb]

All though it is in fact a bad carbohydrate. It can be useful in particular situations. For example post workout to get an insulin spike and deliver protein in to your muscles more quickly.

No. The whey shake on its own will spike insulin more than enough.

[Gxp23]

Although this thread is 7 years old, I agree ^