What is ISOMALT? Is it good for Induction?

I've found several products (mostly hard candy) that are made with ISOMALT
which is supposed to be diabetic friendly, but I'm wondering what the impact
is on Atkins?

I'd appreciate any replies or websites to look at.

Jeff

Isomalt is a sugar alcohol.

This is an excerpt from: http://tinyurl.com/tdzo

--START EXCERPT--
Sugar alcohols, also know as polyols, are ingredients used as sweeteners
and bulking agents. They occur naturally in foods and come from plant
products such as fruits and berries. As a sugar substitute, they provide
fewer calories (about a half to one-third less calories) than regular
sugar. This is because they are converted to glucose more slowly,
require little or no insulin to be metabolized and don't cause sudden
increases in blood sugar. This makes them popular among individuals with
diabetes;
--END EXCERPT--

Some people can handle sugar alcohols better than others. It gives some
people the runs, and has no effect whatsoever on others. If you are
going to try some, it's best to start off slowly, to see which type you
are.

Here are some more links: http://tinyurl.com/tdzl


Jeff Rose wrote:
I've found several products (mostly hard candy) that are made with ISOMALT
which is supposed to be diabetic friendly, but I'm wondering what the impact
is on Atkins?

I'd appreciate any replies or websites to look at.

Jeff




--
Jim
231/194?/197
Atkins since 22 May '03
Gym since 1 sept '03

Sorry, in answer to your question. YES, they are OK for induction, but
beware of the possible consequences.

Jeff Rose wrote:

I've found several products (mostly hard candy) that are made with ISOMALT
which is supposed to be diabetic friendly, but I'm wondering what the impact
is on Atkins?

I'd appreciate any replies or websites to look at.

Jeff




--
Jim
231/194?/197
Atkins since 22 May '03
Gym since 1 sept '03

Jeff,

Isomalt is a sugar alcohol.

Despite manufacturers' claims that they don't raise blood sugar or insulin
levels, research contradicts this.
For detailed scientific information about sugar alcohols and how they
metabolise:
http://www.diabetes.ca/Files/SugarAl...cember2002.pdf.

For a "user friendly" summary:
FROM THE JOSLIN DIABETES CENTER (at Harvard U.)
http://www.joslin.harvard.edu/educat...alcohols.shtml

What Are Sugar Alcohols?
The sugar alcohols commonly found in foods are sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol,
isomalt and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates. Sugar alcohols come from plant
products such as fruits and berries. The carbohydrate in these plant
products is altered through a chemical process. These sugar substitutes
provide somewhat fewer calories than table sugar (sucrose), mainly because
they are not well absorbed and may even have a small laxative effect.

Many so-called "dietetic" foods that are labeled "sugar free" or "no sugar
added" in fact contain sugar alcohols. People with diabetes MISTAKENLY think
that foods labeled as "sugar free" or "no sugar added" will have no effect
on their blood sugars. Foods containing these sugar alcohols need to have
their calorie and carbohydrate contents accounted for in your overall meal
plan, as it is carbohydrate that raises blood sugar levels. Since many
people typically overeat "sugar free" or "no sugar added" foods, their blood
sugar may be significantly elevated.

So the next time you pick up a dietetic food labeled "sugar free" be sure to
check the label to see if these sugar alcohols are listed. Most importantly,
be sure to check what the total carbohydrate content is per serving of any
food, and incorporate that carbohydrate in your overall meal plan. If the
product contains any total carb grams, it may likely come from sugar
alcohols.


-- Jenny

Weight: 168.5/137
Diabetes Type II diagnosed 8/1998
Low Carb 9/1998 - 8/2001 and 11/10/02 - Now

http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean
How to calculate your need for protein * How much people really lose each
month * Water Weight Gain & Loss * The "Two Gram Cure" for Hunger Cravings
* Characteristics of Successful Dieters * Indispensible Low Carb Treats *
Should You Count that Low Impact Carb? * Curing Ketobreath * Exercise
Starting from Zero * NEW! Do Starch Blockers Work?


"Jeff Rose" wrote in message
news:Jzgpb.111702$EO3.28691@clgrps13...
I've found several products (mostly hard candy) that are made with ISOMALT
which is supposed to be diabetic friendly, but I'm wondering what the
impact
is on Atkins?

I'd appreciate any replies or websites to look at.

Jeff

Hi Jeff Rose,
On Sun, 2 Nov 2003 23:38:17 GMT, you held up the following for
inspection:

I've found several products (mostly hard candy) that are made with
ISOMALT which is supposed to be diabetic friendly, but I'm wondering
what the
impact is on Atkins?

I'd appreciate any replies or websites to look at.

Jeff

Isomalt is a mix of mannitol and sorbitol, two sugar alcohols. If you
read through the Wolever link Jenny provided on sugar alcohols for
yourself you'll get a good feel for what sugar alcohols are and what
they can do - both positive and negative. This link is the one I'm
talking about just in case you didn't get to it yet:
http://www.diabetes.ca/Files/SugarAl...cember2002.pdf

Read with a critical eye you'll see that Jenny has, um, well put her own
special "Jenny spin" on the subject. Forewarned is forearmed in this
case. Jenny gives good sound advice and information about 90% of the
time. She really is here to help. She has one blind spot though, and
that one blind spot is - you guessed it - sugar alcohols. That phrase
comes up and she starts to twitch, then froth and finally starts to
vomit forth all sorts of bizarre assertions and has gone so far in the
recent past as to outright lie about the subject. Even when caught she
still just gibbered on about her pet theories concerning sugar alcohols.
Just so you know.

As with most things, YMMV (your mileage may vary) concerning the
consumption of sugar alcohols. Some folks can eat them without a
problem while others can't - either because they end up having nasty
gastointestinal effects or because their particular physiology treats
them like regular carbs. You'll have to see what your body does with
them if you really want to experiment. Don't lose sight of the fact
that suagr sweetened or suagar alcohol sweetened they're still treats,
not mainstay foods. :-)

Welcome and take care,
Carmen