Not So Sweet After All…
Fellow health foodie/new mom/fashion model extraordinaire recently asked me if she should avoid products containing the ingredient maltitol. Not being completely certain as to the answer, I…I mean, The Fit Post…did some serious due diligence and found the following:
- Maltitol is a sugar alcohol, most commonly used in low carb or “sugar free” products
- Similar to regular sugar in look and taste, this ingredient is considered a carbohydrate with 2 to 3 calories per gram (vs. 4 calories per gram for regular sugar)
- Products that use maltitol can still be called “sugar free” – WARNING: maltitol syrup has a glycemic index of 52 (vs. table sugar which has a GI of 60) - not a drastic difference when you then compare the level of sweetness each provides (you’ll likely have to add more of the maltitol which translates into extra calories/carbs)
- In addition to maltitol (sometimes printed as Maltisorb® or Maltisweet®), other kinds of sugar alcohols include sorbitol, isomalt and xylitol
- WARNING: manufacturers can still write “sugar free” or “no sugar added” on packages even if any of the above ingredients, including maltitol, are included - the sugar alcohol count will be shown separately if either of these two labels are printed on the package
- If no sugar free claim is made on the product, the sugar alcohol will be included in the amount of carbohydrates on the label either in the total carbs or as a separate line item so read carefully!
- Don’t get too excited Betty Crocker because you won’t be able to use maltitol as a sugar substitute in home baking – it won’t react the same way as regular table sugar
- Many people claim that sugar alcohols are ok for diabetics due to the fact that they are not completely absorbed by the body – HOWEVER, the American Diabetes Association confirms that it is the total carbs consumed that make the largest difference to blood sugar levels and NOT the type consumed
- The biggest consumer complaint includes issues with intestinal gas, cramping and diarrhea (wow, can’t wait to try this stuff)
- Benefits include the fact that it does not promote tooth decay
In summary, from my limited knowledge of the ingredient, the driving benefit of maltitol is the fact that you can help prevent cavities…personally, I feel like if you invest in a toothbrush this isn’t too big of an issue so although you don’t need to necessarily avoid sugar alcohols, it’s probably not worth going out of your way to spend the premium it will likely cost you in finding these substitutes.
