Sugar alcohols

I bought a 12 pack of "low sugar" protein bars (Detour Low Sugar, Chocolate Chip Caramel), which have 30 grams of protein in them. There are 34 carbohydrates, however, and 27 of these are sugar alcohols. Can someone explain to me how sugar alcohols count for carbs? I have been diabetic for almost 3 years, my father has had diabetes since 1987, so I thought I understood sugars and carbs!
Somebody help my limited brain today! Thanks in advance

ive been a diabetic since 2000 and i understood that every 15 g of carbs are 1 sugar..so with 34 carbs is 2.5 sugars..that would be my opion and understanding..hope that helps 

pam

27 grams of sugar alcohol.  Wowza!  you better take a truck load of gasX before eating one of those babies

I don't know how to explain it, there are people on here who can.  What I CAN tell you is that sugar alcohols make me sicker than sugar.  If anything has more than a few (and I mean about 4) sugar alcohols in it..I dump (and I don't usually dump on anything).  For example, I can't eat SF pudding that is premade in little cups that you buy, I have to make it from the box because the cups of the alcohols and the boxes don't. I love SF popsicles and if I eat more than one..sick, sick, sick.  I can't eat SF chocolate for the same reason.  SO..27 sugar alcohols would kill me.  You may be different, but I've heard they cause problems for many people.  If they don't make you sick, they will at least give you alot of gas (most likely).  Sorry for the bad news

This is what I was told by the diabetes specialist. A diabetic must count half of the sugar alcohols present as carbs. Many or most sugar alcohols aren't counted as carbs in the stats and you end up with "net carb" count. But diabetics must count half. Your bars are high in carbs!

I also dump on too many SA.  And small amount of SA for me = a lot of gas, painful, stinky, paint-peeling-of-the-wall gas.  Even the SA in chewing gum.  watch out for that.

But then some people have no problem with that.  try and see ... I would start with 1/4 bar... and see what happens.

Oh, man, wish I'd read this earlier! For some reason I've been chewing gum like crazy today...and my stomach is rebelling...anyone within 12 feet of me can probably hear it! Thank goodness it's almost time to go home!

It's the name that makes them confusing. They aren't really sugar or alcohol. They have however a very low impact on your blood sugar (unlike "regular" sugar which can make it spike then crash) so many people don't count them as carbs.

However, when you have 27 of these- watch out! They can cause gastro-intestinal problems (bloating, gas, etc...) and so most people stay below 5-10gm per serving to keep those issues at bay. Although some folks can't touch the stuff and find themselves very sick from them. So you'll just have to find out what works for you by trial and error.

Also, I think Detour uses Maltitol as it's sweetener/sugar alcohol and it's pretty close to sugar on the G.I. scale (Sugar is 66, Maltitol is 56) too close for me-!

Anything with more than about 11 sugar alcohols makes me super sick.  You should start with just a small portion of your bar and see how it works for you.

Just to follow up, I am cursed with limited or no reaction to sugar or sugar alcohols. No dumping, no gas or bloating. Honestly, I wish I did because it seems there are no consequences except for my conscience!