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Anyone used the Low Carb Megastore?

T

The Governor

Well-Known Member
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Guys,

Diabetic geek put me onto this store, they seem to have a lot of variety of low to carb free stuff.

In my continuing quest for something sweet I can safely eat, I saw they had a sweets page, with loads of zero carb boiled sweets.

Has anyone had these? Have they replaced the carbs with loads of other sugars or what?

On a more general note, anyone used this store and found any good things worth trying?

8)
 
I asked them about their 0g Carb sweets and got this reply:

Hi

They are sugar free and due to the artifical sweetener (polyols) they are calssified as carb free as they have equal amount of swetener as carbohydrtae

Andy
Click to expand...

Which I don't really understand, it sounds like a technicality to me?
 
whilst perhaps not affecting the BS ,polyols have a laxative effect on many people (coupled with metformin ?!) Not a low carber but stick to very dark choc (normally 76%)
 
Point take, but for the odd treat and not overdoing it I think it's worth it :D

I read a lot aboout Polyols, apart from their laxative effect, is it right that they don't affect blood sugar?

Also, while I'm thinking, what's the Effective Carb Content I hear about, something about the sugar is equal to the carb value so are carb free?

That sounds a bit odd to me, either they're carb free or not? Of course, being so new to all this dietary stuff I'm probably missing a huge piece of information!
 
Hi Gov,
Polyols (sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol) are sugar alcohols and have exactly the same effect on blood sugar as normal sugar does. They are used as artificial sweeteners but are slightly less sweet than sucrose, so food manufacturers tend to use greater quantities. End result is that foods made with sugar alcohols have exactly the same effect on BG as sugar does.

If it ends in 'ose or 'ol then it is a sugar.
 
Hi Dennis,

I'm slightly confused now :D I've read elsewhere that the use of polyol doesn't affect blood sugar, but you believe that it does? (Don't take me questioning as an insult, it's just I'm trying to reconcile the conflicting informatilon).

I read on another forum that I stumbled across via Google that Sugar Free Fruitella are fine for diabetics, but I'd imagine on the basis of what you said above, that isn't the case?
 
When I first qualified sorbitol was routinely prescribed as a laxative and u could always tell the new diabetics as they queued for the toilet - you need to restrict the amount to around an oz a day! I have not found that they have had major effects on bs mainly tummy effects. TBH the major problem is the very wierd taste they have they may be sweet but the aftertaste is unpleasant - i cannot describe it. Personally i think alot of these low carb products are as bad as low fat in terms of taste - but of course its not me thinkung someone is trying to make money - me cynical or what!
 
lol now I'm well lost :D Dennis believes they do affect bs, but you don't ally?

Again, I'm not having a go, just trying to get to the truth :D
 
i havent had any patients say they have found that and I think some studies have shown that too - sorbitol has unpleasant side effects - have tried some diabetic products with it myself!!!! need i say more. Its the odd taste I do not like !

Alot of so called low carb products are vile too - the atkins range is awful - I often wonder who they have tested them on!
 
hello Gov,
Polyols are not technically sugars, but are carbohydrates. The various types of polyols
affect blood sugar to differing degrees.

:arrow: facts about polyols

Regards,
timo.
 
I've tried:

Tortillas - a definite hit. 3g each. Useful in fajitas but I also like them as pizza bases

Pitta bread - similar to above, but 4g each. A bit thicker than the tortillas so also useful for pizza bases.

Granola - I like this. It's lower carb than most but I have discovered I can get this cheaper in Tescos!

Flax-z-snax hot cereal - absolutely dreadful - the only way I managed to get through it was by mixing it with ordinary porridge.

The deliver very quickly as well.
 
mm - you would have to be consuming large amounts and in the rec amount i havent found it a problem. the bigesst problem is the stomach ache and diarrhorea - think i would be more concerned about that.
 
Personally I don't like them because of their effects, taste etc but it isn't true to say that they act on BS in exactly the same way as sucrose.
First figure glycaemic index. A GI of 0 should have no effect on BS, one of 9-13 very little unless huge quantities are eaten. Second figure is calories per gram.

Glucose 100 , 4 ( I think its the same as sucrose not given in original)
Sucrose(sugar) 60, 4
Maltitol Syrup 53, 3 (this varies as there are different strengths 53 is the highest)
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate 39, 2.8
Maltitol 36, 2.7
Xylitol 13 , 2.5
Isomalt 9 , 2.1
Sorbitol 9 , 2.5
Lactitol 6 , 2
Mannitol 0 , 1.5
Erythritol 0 , 0.2
Livesey G Health potential of polyols as sugar replacers properties Nutrition Research Reviews
December 2003

The paper contains everything anyone could possible want (or not want :D ) to know about polyols.
http://journals.cambridge.org/downl...31a.pdf&code=50c6df3d44e57a2a5367dab8427fc72d
 
I happened to be in Boots today and had a look at their diabetic chocolate range as I know they use polyols. Their diabetic chocolate caramels list on the back of the pack:
Carbohydrates 33g
of which polyols 33g

Point proven I think?
 
Hi Dennis,

That's right, polyols are definitely carbohydrates, but they have less of
an effect on blood sugars compared to other carbohydrates.

(Quote from link)
Polyols are slowly and incompletely absorbed from the small intestine into the blood.
The portion that is absorbed is metabolized by processes that require little or no insulin.

:arrow: polyols Q+A

Regards,
timo.
 
yes but often when u eat the choc it doesnt have the same effect as real choc - i dont encourage its use because it is as calorific as real choc but has the laxative effect! And tastes foul!
 
How do their calories compare with sugar?
Sugar provides approximately 4.0 calories per gram.

3.0 calories per gram - hydrogenated starch hydrolysates
2.6 calories per gram - sorbitol
2.4 calories per gram - xylitol
2.1 calories per gram - maltitol
2.0 calories per gram - isomalt
2.0 calories per gram - lactitol
1.6 calories per gram - mannitol
0.2 calories per gram - erythritol

lower glycemic effect, lower calories AND you get to s**t through the eye of a needle.

where's the downside? :D
 
yes but they up the fat in the choc - some brands of diabetic choc have more total calories - the downside - the toilet!!!
 
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