June 23, 2006, Newsletter Issue #75: Sugar-Free Does Not Mean Calorie-Free

Tip of the Week

While sugar substitutes have been shown to be safe and helpful for people with certain diseases such as diabetes, do not assume that "sugar-free" means the food product is low in calories. Identify which type of substitute is contained in the product and how much fat is listed per serving. Some "sugar-free" food products provide the same amount of calories as the original version. Look out for xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar substitute shown useful for people with diabetes because it is absorbed into the bloodstream at a slower rate than sugar requiring little insulin to be metabolized. BUT - it is not calorie-free. Word of caution: Consuming large amounts of xylitol can cause diarrhea and cramping.

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