EAS Protein Bars

OK boys, I've finally found a protein bar that I really like and didnt find sickeningly sweet.  EAS Advant Edge Carb Control Double Chocolate Crisp.  I bought it at a CVS store when I needed to get a quick bite on the run.  I was pleased when I read the nutrition facts before I bought it and saw that it had 1 gram of sugar and listed no sugar alcohol (I've heard some horror stories about sugar alcohols).  Now it did list other carbs at 20 grams. So I liked it so much that I decided to go to their website to purchase it direct.  Imagine my surprise when reading the nutrition label on the website that it actually has 17 grams of sugar alcohol.  I did  a little research and learned that this actually amounts to 8 grams of sugar, which isnt so bad for one serving.  I guess my biggest question is the laxitive effect of sugar alcohol.  I ate the bar abouth 5 hours ago and havent had any problems.  Has anyone had in experience in this department?  I'd like to eat one of these a day (or one of the other flavors if I like them) after my workout.  Any feedback would be appreciated.  Thanks. John

I used to use those back when I could get the "mixed box" at my local wholesale club; I haven't bought any since then just because I don't go through them fast enough to *not* get sick of a specific flavor. I kept them in my car and a few in my desk because they travelled well; it's probably still a better choice than what I end up eating a lot of the time, but I found they work really well.. I think the flavors were Apple Crisp or Apple Caramel, Blueberry, and one more -- maybe Lemon? Again, I usually used them as a meal REPLACEMENT as opposed to a 'snack', but that's one of my surgeon's bugaboos, is not "snacking".... being diabetic (but in control since the surgery), I've found I have to eat something every 4.5-5 hours or so or else my sugar crashes; these helped because of the high ratio of protein to carbs, and the volume was enough early post op (within the first 18 mos) to work well for volume and for maintaining a good blood sugar level without a crash towards the end of the time period. Hope this helps.. ...Nick

17 gms of Sugar alcohol? I think that's way fine.... Depending on which Sugar Alcohol Up to 50gms is ok for normal folks.... Here's what I've got...

Here’s some info I’ve picked up on Sugar Alcohol(s)- (some of it you already know, But just for those reading in… Lurkers! I was one for over a year, before ever typing in a thread.) Sugar Alcohols aren’t in fact Sugar or Alcohol, But are carbohydrates, that chemically structured to resembles sugar and/or alcohol. They aren’t completely absorbed or metabolized by the body, and thus supply fewer calories. The most commonly used ones are- Sorbitol, Mannitol, Xylitol, Maltitol, and Maltitol syrup, Lactitol, Erythritol, Isomalt and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates. (or HSH on ingredient labels) Their caloric make-up ranges from 1.5 to 3 calories per gram (compared to 4 calories per gram for sucrose or other real sugars.) Most of them are about half as sweet as sucrose; But Maltitol and Xylitol have the same ‘sweetness’ as sucrose. Sugar Alcohols are classified by chemical structure, such as- :Monosaccharides -( sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol) *see warning below… :Disaccharides -( isomalt, lactitol, maltitol) :Polysaccharide mixtures -(maltitol syrup, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates [HSH]) They are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration As either GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) or ‘approved’ food additives They are either slowly or incompletely absorbed From the small intestine into the blood. (this slow absorption is why They really don’t cause "Dumping" as medically recognized, Even though they CAN cause dumping-like symptoms in some) Once absorbed they are converted to energy By processes that require little or no insulin. (thus diabetic friendly / safe) Some of the sugar alcohol is not absorbed into the blood And is passed out of the small intestine And is fermented by bacteria in the large intestine. And here’s the-WARNING - Too Much may produce abdominal gas and diarrhea for most folks. Total daily intake should be considered Since it is the total intake that induces the laxative effects. Foods that contain certain sugar alcohols And that are likely to be eaten in amounts that could produce such diarrhea Must bear the statement on the packaging- "Excess consumption may have a laxative effect." The American Dietetic Association advises – "That greater than 50g/day of sorbitol or greater than 20g/day of mannitol "may cause diarrhea." All of the Monosaccharides tend to cause more diarrhea. They are great at helping soothe that ‘sweet craving,’ But just count the Carbs and calories on the labeling. And don’t eat too much. They have a little more ‘laxative effect’ on Gastric By-Pass patients Because there is even less absorption as they miss some of the Small intestine where they would be partially absorbed in a complete digestive system. When in doubt, stick to things sweetened with Splenda. Harder to find, but don’t have the ‘rumored’ negatives of Nutra-Sweet or the Diarrhea of the Sugar Alcohols. That’s what I’ve picked up along the way… Hope it helps? Best Wishes- Dx

 

Dx, you are the "Yoda" of the WLS "Jedi's" (I'm not a Star Wars junkie, just happened to watch part of one of the movies last night and thought the metaphor fitting).  With the education I've gotten over the past couple of days, I am willing to take a few more steps experimenting with different foods, without going overboard of course.  As always, thank you and be well.

John