[bambifox]

This topic has been knawing at my heals since I started Atkins back on 1/5/08. I did some research and found this site that may explain alot about sugar alcohols...the good..bad...and ugly. You decide. http://nutrition.about.com/od/grains...arcravings.htm

I'd like to hear your personal experiences with sugar alcohols (i.e., maltitol, xylitol, etc.) and sucralose (splenda). Has your weight loss been stalled? Problems with excessive gas and bloating?

[bgbrwnys101]

I think I do better when I dont have any sweetener, weight loss that is. Maybe we should experiement and go off the artificial sweeteners for a couple of weeks to see what happens. Let me know if you want to try it together.
Tara

[bambifox]

...huh??? go off chocolate for 2 weeks?? That's an issue for me...without sounding like a complete addict...I'm one of those people who just mentally need a little sweet after lunch/dinner. Not a lot, but one piece and I'm satisfied (no cravings). I did find, however, through research that there is a sweetener out there called "erythritol". It's all natural (comes from grapes, etc.) and has no effect on blood sugar...even Jerseygyrl recommends it! You can find it at www.netrition.com. Also, check out the link I gave, it really does have some very useful info on sugars/ sugar alcohols. "Chocoperfection" is the brand name of the "erythritol" sweetened chocolate bars.

Has anyone out there tried these bars and what's been your experience with "erythritol"? I'm hoping that I can have my cake (no pun...) and eat it too! Joyce

[JerseyGyrl]

Originally Posted by bambifox

Has anyone out there tried these bars and what's been your experience with "erythritol"? I'm hoping that I can have my cake (no pun...) and eat it too! Joyce

Nope, haven't trried Chocoperfection...but...I used to eat the Z-Carb bars (they were discontinued) and those were sweetened with erythritol. I had no problems with them as far as weightloss or gastric distress

[CrabbyCakes]

I honestly think that it is somewhere in between a sweet tooth and an addiction. I would even say I inherited it from my father (King of Chocolate, lol). I think that carbs and sweets, for me, wreaked havoc on my body. My "cravings" for them felt like an addiction - like I literally COULD NOT STOP myself from eating them. I didn't care about steaks, or baked potatoes, or chips or fries, for me it was all about pure sugar. Since I have started Atkins, I have had a couple cheat moments and for the next 24 hours I felt like I NEEDED sugar. After that period, I am fine. No cravings.

I know I kind of babbled that whole paragraph so you'll have to excuse me. I had caffeine this morning and my mind is zooming, lol. But ANYWAY, in conclusion, SUGAR IZ BAD and this diet has made me realize what an impact it has on my body, my mind and my weightloss.