icon-nav-help
Need Help

Submit your question to our team of health care professionals.

icon-nav-current-questions
Current Question

See what's on the mind of the community right now.

icon-conf-speakers-at-a-glance
Meet the Team

Learn more about our world-renowned team.

icon-nav-archives
CWD Answers Archives

Review the entire archive according to the date it was posted.

CWD_Answers_Icon
August 27, 1999

Meal Planning, Food and Diet

advertisement
Question from California, USA:

In many of the diabetic products, the label states that there is no sugar but right below it says sugar alcohol. What is sugar alcohol and how much can a person with diabetes have?

Answer:

From: DTeam Staff

A sugar alcohol is derived from a sugar. It is absorbed more slowly and affects the blood sugar more slowly. There are calories in a sugar alcohol — approximately 3 calories per gram, so eventually it will raise the blood sugar. Sometimes these sugar alcohols can cause cramping and diarrhea, so caution should be used when eating them — moderation is the key.

JM