sugar alcohols???

ok, do sugar alcohols count as a carb? i can't remember. i thought that they were considered a sweetner like s&l, or am i wrong? i bought the safeway brand protein drink it have 170 calories, 12 carbs (4 are fiber, 6 are sugar alcohols?) so i am thinking that it only really has 2 net carbs, am i correct? oh yeah and 20 grams of protein =) smile gina

Hi Gina, I did a quick web search for sugar alcohols and this is what I found: Generally, food manufacturers calculate “net carbohydrates” by subtracting the grams of fiber and sugar alcohols from the total carbohydrates. Sounds like that answers your question to me. Hugs,  Piggy

My Nut says that sugar alcohols weigh half as much as sugar and I'm to count half of them as carbs. So for me, I would count your protein drink as having 12carbs minus 4fiber plus 3sugar alcohols for a total of 11 carbs. I'm curious if anyone else counts this way? Best of luck to you.

so are you saying that i should say minus 4 for fiber 3 for sugar alcohols(=7) subtracted from the 12 total carbs? wouldn't that be a total of 4 net carbs?

Sugar alcohols and fiber don't impact (or minimally impact) blood sugar, so they're usually NOT included in "net carbs", but there is still debate among "experts" about whether they should be included or not.  That makes the "count half" method a good compromise.  Being a math teacher, I feel compelled to mention that 12 - 7 = 5.  Hee-hee!! 

hahahah, didn't catch that till now. i guess i really do hate math huh? my fingers were working to fast on the keybpard that i didn't pay attention. i fell like an ass. =)

My count half method is different...I don't subtract at all for sugar alcohols, I was told to add half of what ever the sugar alcohol content is to my carb count. It seems to be pretty different from what most people do. But like everyone does I like to follow my Dr. and Nut. instructions. Did you ask your nut. on  they're opinion about the sugar alcohols? Best of luck to you..