Thanks for the info JerseyGyrl [sorry that this has become a debate also] and the links Leenie and BlueX. I personally found, even when I was off the wagon recently, that sugar alcohols do not agree with my body. The more time I spend eating natural foods, the more adverse fake foods affect my body. I still eat at restaurants but pre-packaged low-carb foods keep my cravings alive.

Several recent studies found that sugar alcohols in no way fool your brain or your body either. Your blood sugar levels still rise and the consumption of sugar alcohols keeps your brain addicted to sugars. Sugar alcohols do nothing to improve your health. Yes, cacao has health benefits but there is not enough cacao found in low-carb bars and snacks to provide this benefit.

The goal of most low carb plans is to break this desire/craving/addiction to sugar/sweets.

If you've spent a good amount of time without any hidden sugar or sugar substitutes, when you do have something that is sweetened, naturally or with sugar alcohols, it tastes really sweet.

This has been my experience. I would like for those who have lost and maintained their weight using a low carb approach to chime in with what role fake sugars play in the maintenance phase of their lives.

However, as for eating sugar and flour in moderation, I have a question. Would you tell an alcoholic that they need to learn to drink in moderation; that they should be able to have one drink and walk away from the bottle? Or would you tell an addicted gambler to place one bet and leave the casino? Because this is exactly what a sugar/flour addiction is, it is an addiction. Addiction is addiction is addiction. They are all addictions of the mind AND the body. This is just something to consider.

...You guys are funny.....perhaps some people just enjoy a drink every now and then...just like some people enjoy a sweet every now and then. Sure, if your "addicted" to anything you should stay completely away from it. Okay..okay..I'm abandoning this thread as some people are a little over the top! It's really not that serious. FYI - I have succeeded on Atkins for many years (not in a purist form), but I have managed to control my weight using Dr. Atkins low carb concept for over 10 yrs....never wearing over a size 14! There are many "long timers" who are new to "THIS" forum.

For all you newbees, my advice, for whatever it's worth, is to simply listen to your body...nobody knows YOU better than YOU....and don't forget to exercise...it's good for the inner you and outer you...

I was not trying to be confrontational or offensive. Maybe funny because that helps to get the point across. Addiction is a serious disease. I have lost friends to addiction of one sort or another, including food. You can never force an addict to see their addiction. They have to see it for themselves. Food addictions are not different from any other addiction.

Some things can be done in moderation. However, for many people that cannot lose weight with any plan other than low carb, these sugar free treats are the golden ticket to weight loss stalls, gains, or just plain falling off the wagon and becoming roadkill [I've been there]. This goes for those low carb flour products also.

Thanks for the info everyone. I will definitely add the links to my library.

For some of us, it is that serious, diabetics take their blood sugar real serious as it is a life or death matter. Sugar alcohols make it more likely that I will go blind, lose a kidney, lose a limb, etc.

It's also serious for people who have sugar addictions and continue to be obese because of it. I am really glad that you can enjoy sugar alcohols on a regular basis and certainly each and everyone of us has to make those decisions for ourselves. I think we need to respect each other's seriousness or intensity.

My post "...it's not that serious" was not intended to make light of anyone's attempt at losing weight/getting healthy...as I'm in the same boat as everyone here to some degree. It was simply to lighten things up a bit. Sometimes in your (anyone's) desire/passion to lose weight, we lose sight of what food was really intended for...survival, enjoyment, nutrition, energy, substanance, etc. We become victims of our refrigerators!

My mom suffers with diabetes (Type II)...and I am aware of the seriousness of diet in this respect (it's a life/death issue). All I mean is "take it easy"..."smile"..."enjoy life"..."enjoy the foods you eat"...and for goodness sake..."stop being victims and take control". I try to live this way and that's why I'm here. To help myself and possibly others to do that. I wish that everybody (including myself) can just take "one bite" of something they enjoy and walk away...and not look at a piece of cake and "get scared...have a panic attack"... I realize this sort of thing takes time, patience and acceptance of the truth about yourself, among other things. I'm just an advocate of "enjoy your life...and don't take yourself too seriously". One day, you'll find that you don't even think about things like this (as least I'm hoping I don't). I wish you all success and enjoy your superbowl weekend!

On a lighter note...I'm helping my 8 yr old daughter bake a creamy delishous chocolate cake today...and she's helping me prepare sh*tload of low carb dishes (swiss chicken rolls, chunky chicken soup, hot wings, brocolli au gratin, mock cooked apples....yummy!) I find that when I expose myself to the treats that I would die to have and then not have them, but substitute them for something I do like, I feel like I'm starting to gain control...that's all. And yes, if I feel like it...I will have a peppermint patty...hey...at least I'm not having the cake! smiles....all day long. Joyce

There is a new article posted by Leenie on the Frequently Asked Questions Thread.

LOW CARB PRODUCTS MAY JEOPARDIZE WEIGHT LOSS EFFORTS

THIS ARTICLE IS FROM OUR LOVELY POOKIE

Check it out!