A study of two popular bariatric surgery procedures—Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and gastric banding—found that both had very good weight loss outcomes at 6 years after surgery. Weight loss was faster, greater and remained “significantly better” six years after gastric bypass compared with patients who received a gastric band, according to the researchers. However, patients with the band lost 65 percent of their excess weight at six years, which is quite a successful outcome. Gastric bypass patients lost on average, 79 percent of their excess weight after six years. The study, published in Archives of Surgery is one of the longest studies in the United States of these two common weight loss procedures, to-date. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘weight loss program’
Gastric Bypass Surgery Study: Positive Outcomes
Monday, January 30th, 2012New Year’s Resolution – More Chocolate?
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
There’s good news for chocolate lovers everywhere: A study, from the University of Cambridge in the UK, found that eating chocolate on a regular basis can reduce the risk of developing heart disease. The study consisted of 114,000 people and determined that those who regularly ate the most chocolate had a decreased risk of heart disease (37% decrease), diabetes (31% decrease), and stroke (29% decrease). Cocoa products, like chocolate, have been found to promote cardiovascular health in many studies. These products contain flavonol, which has been found to be potentially helpful in averting cardiometabolic disorders. Additionally, chocolate stimulates endorphin production and contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant. It also contains theobromine, caffeine, and other substances which are stimulants.
The study is a meta-analysis, which is a careful and rigorous review of many clinical studies. Seven studies out of 4,576 possible papers met the criteria to be included in this study. Because the seven studies reported amounts of chocolate consumption in different manners, the authors decided to compare lowest to highest chocolate consumption when they looked at the health benefits. The authors of the study explain that the exact amount of chocolate needed to experience the health benefits is not clear, yet.
The study also cautions against large consumption of chocolate. Chocolate is high in sugar and calories and therefore can be destructive to weight loss and overall health. Dark chocolate, which contains a higher cocoa content, will provide the most health benefits without as much fat and sugar as milk chocolate.
At the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana, we understand that our patients need nutrition plans tailored to their needs—even if that means including the occasional piece of dark chocolate! Balance is always very important. You can learn more about our program and weight loss options on our website, by registering for a free weight loss surgery seminar, or by calling us at 877-691-3001.
*Image from here
Make Your Life Easier and Find More Satisfaction …Drop some rocks!
Friday, October 29th, 2010An Article and Exercise by Katie Jay, MSW, Certified Life Coach
Director, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery
www.nawls.com
Imagine that your job in life is to swim across a fast-moving river carrying a bag of rocks. People often fill their bags with too many rocks, including rocks that don’t belong to
them.
A fast-moving river can be hard to get across even under the best of conditions. And it’s nearly impossible to cross when you are carrying a heavy burden.
We live in a busy world. Often success is measured by how much we do, how busy we are, and how heavy the load is that we carry.
Weight Loss Surgery patients are faced with a choice after surgery, because we have chosen to add some hefty rocks to our bags — the responsibility of making our rigorous WLS lifestyle a priority — our ability to carry lots of other rocks will be limited.
By the very nature of our WLS we carry a lot of rocks in our bags: taking vitamins and supplements, monitoring our labs, exercising, losing and maintaining weight, drinking water, eating enough protein, dealing with food obsession, being prepared for any eating situation, adjusting our self image, fighting urges to graze or overeat or eat sweets…I could go on and on!
This added burden for WLS patients makes it imperative that we be deliberate in the number and size of the rocks we carry.
Because we carry the extra burden of the WLS lifestyle, we must take a realistic look at our lives and adjust our obligations accordingly.
If you are carrying other people’s rocks unnecessarily; i.e., doing all the work for the team at your job, volunteering again because no other parent will step up, making cookies for a friend’s party; you might want to rethink what you’re doing.
Carrying too many rocks is risky business. And carrying your WLS rocks and everyone else’s just might make your sink.
Keep these three things in mind, and begin to work on not making yourself carry such a huge bag of rocks:
- Everyone has to carry rocks, but the people whose loads are the lightest tend to set good boundaries, value themselves, and take an honest look at their capabilities.
- When you carry someone else’s rocks, and they are capable of carrying their own rocks, you don’t do yourself or them a favor.
- Making brave choices about which rocks you will carry — and which ones you will not carry — will bring you more rewards than you could ever imagine.
Just remember, you don’t have to do everything everyone expects of you. You can say no to eating at a restaurant that triggers you to overeat. You can ask your husband or wife not to bring chips into the house. You can even say no to running an errand for a friend, if running that errand would interfere with your healthy habit of eating before you get too hungry.
The river may rage in my life, but I am determined to carry as light a load as possible. How about you?
An Exercise:
Make a list of the rocks in your bag — your various responsibilities. This week, drop at least one of the rocks that doesn’t belong to you.
The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping our patients achieve a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight. Whether you are interested in weight loss surgery or medically supervised weight loss counseling, we can help you take control of your eating and your weight. Watch an online seminar now or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.
This article is from Small Bites, the email newsletter for the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery.
Subscribe today and get your F’REE report, The 10 Most Common Mistakes Weight Loss Surgery Patients Make at www.10WLSmistakes.com.
(c) 2007 National Association for Weight Loss Surgery, Inc. All rights reserved.
Summertime Tips and Recipes
Friday, June 18th, 2010
The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana would like to provide you with tips for dining at your favorite resturant. But, first, it’s Summertime and it’s hot! Are you looking for a way to cool off without stopping at the closest snowball stand? Try one of these great recipes.
Peppermint Shake
1 pkg. MyWeight French Vanilla Shake
1cup cold water
5 ice cubes
½ tsp peppermint extract
¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 drop green food coloring
Place all ingredients in a blender, mix, and serve.
French Vanilla Lime Cooler
1 pkg. MyWeight French Vanilla Shake Mix
8 oz water
2 Tbsp Lime Juice
4 Ice cubes
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth
Peachy Smoothie
1 pkg. MyWeight French Vanilla Shake
2 oz Vanilla low-fat yogurt
6 oz cold water
1 fresh peach, skinned and cut up
4 Ice cubes
Mix all ingredients in blender on medium speed.
Almond Joy
1 pkg. MyWeight Swiss Chocolate Shake
8 oz. water
½ tsp almond extract
½ tsp coconut extract
Mix all ingredients in blender on medium speed.
Tips for Success When Eating Out
- Keep Your Portions Small
- When ordering entrees, have the waiter box ½ before serving the other ½
- Use a salad plate to decrease the portion size
- Have the waiter bring your salad with your entrée
- Have the waiter remove the bread from the table, or DECLINE it when he serves it
- Take 3 bites of protein for every 1 bite of carbs or fats
- Count Cocktails as dessert
- Choose to splurge on a day when you can exercise
- Research the web for restaurant menu and healthy choice/low carb selections
- Have a protein drink before you leave to go out
- Keep reference books for calorie counting and low carb selections handy. Check out: www.calorieking.com or www.atkins.com for calorie and carbohydrate measurements
The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana offers nutritional drinks, supplements, meal replacements, protein bars and various other items through our MyWeight program at each of our locations. If you are interested in learning more about our products contact Bethany at bdulski@whyweight.com.
Health Care Bill to Require Calories on Restaurant Menus
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Have you ever wondered just how many calories that chicken quesadilla or reuben sandwich will add to your caloric intake for lunch? What about the “healthy” veggie spud and cream of broccoli soup?
Eating out can be a real problem for those who are watching their weight and trying to eat healthy. Until now. Buried in the pages of the health reform bill passed by the U.S. Congress, is a provision requiring chain restaurants with 20 or more stores to disclose the number of calories on their menus.
Offering a menu without calories is like offering a menu without prices. Individuals should know what their financial cost and their health cost is for what they are ordering. When you purchase food in a grocery store, the “Nutrition Facts” label gives key nutritional information including calories, fat grams, sodium content, etc. for each serving in the package. The customer in a restaurant has to make a blind guess and “judge” how fattening and unhealthy each menu option may be.
Menu-labeling will not reverse the obesity epidemic by itself. But it is a step in the right direction and one that will cost very little to implement. Menu-labeling will give each individual the knowledge to make healthy choices, thus putting the responsibility on each of us and ultimately lowering healthcare costs, overall.
Regardless of the view on the overall health reform bill, nearly everyone agrees, including the National Restaurant Association and public health advocates, that this is one part of the bill that will improve health and cut costs in the long run. When the law takes effect in 2011, the number of calories will be noted right next to the price on the menu.
Source: Menu-labeling to Win the Struggle Against Obesity – Kansas City infoZine News. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, MD. www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/40532.
Until these changes take place, the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana can help you make healthy and informed decisions. The MyWeight™ nutrition and wellness counseling program in Louisiana offers individualized weight loss programs, lifestyle coaching and one-on-one medical consultation. Contact our office to learn more about the MyWeight™ medically supervised weight loss program.
How to Eat Healthy Foods on a Budget
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
In this tough economy, it’s important to make sure we don’t forgo healthy habits for cheaper, less nutritious foods. In this article, printed with the permission of the Obesity Action Coalition, Pam Helmlinger discusses how to manage your waistline without breaking the bank.
How to Eat Healthy Foods on a Budget
by Pam Helmlinger, RD, LDN
Healthy eating may seem challenging when penny-pinching, yet with careful planning you can monitor both your waistline and your budget. The perception that healthy food costs more is not valid if you are always shopping for a good deal and planning ahead. Incorporate these tips for a frugally-fit diet:
Determine a Weekly Grocery Budget – set aside the allotted cash in a special envelope. Plan meals and snacks for your family ahead of time and write down a detailed shopping list from that plan.
Comparison Shop and Take Advantage of Store Incentives – Choose generic store brands except when the brand name product is on sale for less. Refer to the item’s unit price displayed to compare costs between brands and multiple-sized packages.
Meal Planning – a great way to cut costs is to plan the week’s meals based on weekly store flyers’ sale prices along with any coupons which apply from the newspaper or online. Paperclip applicable coupons to your grocery budget envelope.
Bulk Buying – Warehouse clubs are one way to save when buying in bulk, however, if the savings would not exceed the cost of the membership, you can stock up on sale items at the grocery store and purchase produce by the bag rather than in pieces (onions, apples, grapefruit, etc.). Frozen fruits and vegetables are also beneficial for equal nutrient value and to eliminate the concern for spoilage before they are eaten. Frozen berries are an excellent choice year-round when fresh berries are out of season.
Purchase Plain Meats and Skin and Season them on Your Own – Try using canned chicken and fish for salads. Use medium shrimp for cooking fajitas or to make a seafood salad. Extend your budget further by eating at least two meatless meals per week. Give tofu and/or tempeh a try for an inexpensive, nutritional substitute for meat and cheese. Beans are also a low-cost and versatile source of protein and fiber. For maximum savings and a low sodium option, use dried beans versus canned beans.
Avoid Pre-packaged Foods and Beverages – While drinking diet soda may not affect your weight, it can be draining your family budget. Instead, brew your own tea or fill reusable water bottles with filtered water at home. If you purchase coffee at a coffee shop, consider buying whole bean coffee in bulk, grinding it at home and mixing with a splash of skim milk, an ounce of sugar-free coffee syrup and a packet of artificial sweetener for your own “Skinny Latte.” These products at home will go a long way and make many cups for the price of one cup at a coffee shop.
Avoid Waste by Purchasing Only What You Need for the Week – use scraps to make other meals, such as leftover chicken to make chicken salad.
Cook at Home and Reserve Eating out for Special Occasions – A single night at a restaurant may cost you as much as the week’s groceries. Studies show that home-cooked meals are more nutritious and that families who eat together have better communication.
Cook extra portions for freezing and utilize leftovers throughout the week. The extra effort will result in time savings later and is perfect for those with a hectic schedule. Get creative and try limiting recipes to just a few basic ingredients.
Make Your Own Convenience Foods – Although buying washed and bagged lettuce, cabbage and carrots is convenient, it costs much more for less quantity. Try making your own convenience foods by dicing and chopping vegetables on the weekends to quickly add to a recipe or salad on a weeknight.
Plant a Garden – Another way to save on vegetables is to plant a garden. It takes some time but can be a fun hobby. If you have never planted before, try starting with tomatoes and some fresh herbs.
According to the February 2009 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, here are some nutritious foods and cost per serving:
• Cooked Black Beans – 114 calories per serving, 7 cents per serving, high in fiber/B vitamins/protein
• Egg – 78 calories per egg, 9 cents per egg, high in protein/iron/B-12/choline
• Cooked Broccoli – 27 calories per half cup, 33 cents per serving, high in vitamins C & A/fiber/phytochemicals
• Chicken Breast – 142 calories per 4 oz portion, 50 cents per serving, high in protein/iron
With some creativity and planning, you can keep your kitchen well stocked with lean protein, high fiber, fresh and frozen goods and seasonal produce. Eating well is manageable for everyone and sets one up for a healthy meal plan without the temptations that come with excess food on hand.
Let’s Compare!
The following is an example of both cost comparison and nutrition facts comparison for a couple of different meals…
Meal A
1 piece meat lasagna (1/12 recipe)
2 slices garlic bread
2 cups romaine lettuce
2 tsp. shredded parmesan
2 oz. Caesar salad dressing
Per Serving: 938 calories, 47g fat, 97g carbohydrates, 31g protein
Cost/serving: $3.98
Meal B
1 Morningstar Farms Sun dried Tomato & Basil Pizza Burger pattie
1 oz. marinara sauce
1 slice mozzarella cheese melted on top
2 c. romaine lettuce
2 tsp. shredded Parmesan cheese
10 sprays Caesar Delight Vinaigrette Spritzer
Per Serving: 279 calories, 14g fat, 12g carbohydrates, 22g protein
Cost/serving: $2.85
You can consider your calorie intake a budget just like your checkbook for your financial budget. In this case, you would have saved $1.13 per person for meal B and your calorie savings would be 659!
As you can see, it is possible to eat healthy on a budget. It takes an awareness while you grocery shop and while you eat/dine out to make this possible.
The key is that you need to get creative and look at labels and prices. So, next time you are at the grocery, take these important tips with you to help you determine what is the healthiest and most economical option for you and your family!
About the Author:
Pam Helmlinger, RD, LDN, has worked with the Center for the Treatment of Obesity at Centennial Medical Center since 2006. She is specialized in bariatric surgery and holds a certificate of training in adult weight management. Currently, she provides pre and post-op nutritional counseling in addition to education for patients in a medical weight-loss program.
The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping our patients achieve a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight. Whether you are interested in weight loss surgery or medically supervised weight loss counseling, we can help you take control of your eating and your weight. Join us for a free seminar or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.
Obesity Action Coalition Issues Airline Policy Statement
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana would like to take the opportunity to share the recent issue of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) Airline Policy Statement. Current airline policies often discriminate again obese patients. Instead of perpetuating the stigma of obesity we should be supporting prevention and resolution policies. Below is the official Statement from the OAC.
Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) Airline Policy Statement
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) recognizes the current standards and practices used by the United States airline industry in regards to the travel process (booking travel, purchasing of additional seat, determination of ability to fly based on size, etc.) must change. Those affected by excess weight experience an overall diminished quality of travel due to the lack of understanding, education and sensitivity to their condition. These standards and practices must change to accommodate the millions of Americans affected by excess weight who utilize the airline industry for their traveling needs on a daily basis. In order to assist the airline industry in modifying and bettering their practices, the OAC has highlighted specific problem areas needing immediate attention. We have also highlighted long term areas of interest requiring action on the part of the airline industry.
Immediate Action Needed
Purchasing of Extra Seat
Those affected by excess weight often want to save themselves the embarrassment of being “required” to purchase an extra seat and therefore, seek to purchase the extra seat online when booking their travel. Unfortunately, it is not simple to purchase another seat online for the same person. The check‐in process can often lead to even further embarrassment as security and gate agents often question the use of the same ID for two tickets.
Solution
A new user‐interface must be developed allowing those who wish to purchase a second seat to easily do so online. Ticket counter employees, gate agents, flight attendants and others must also be educated on the option for a passenger to purchase an extra seat and treat that individual with respect and sensitivity. For those who are “required” to purchase an extra seat based on airline policy, the cost of the extra seat will be reimbursed if there is at least one open seat on the plane. The open seat must be a seat not used by a paying customer. If the airline should choose to use that seat for a non‐paying customer, such as a flight crewperson, the passenger still needs to be reimbursed their fare for the extra seat as the available seat is now occupied by a nonpaying customer.
Assessment of Ability to Fly due to Size
The current standard and practice by which a passenger is deemed able to fly or required to purchase an additional seat, due to their physical size, must change. Current practices often have the assessment of the passenger’s ability to fly taking place inside the aircraft. This approach greatly increases the negative stigma associated with excess weight and embarrasses the passenger in front of his/her peers.
Solution
The process of assessing whether an individual requires an additional seat must be held in a private room out of view of passengers, other airline agents (other than the trained official evaluating the process) or the general public. Passengers in question would be required to sit in a sample airline seat (specific to each airline) and perform the required safety measures, such as lowering the arm rest and buckling the seatbelt (with the assistance of a seatbelt extender if needed). Once completed, the passenger would then be cleared to fly or provided with a detailed explanation regarding their denial of travel or second seat purchase requirement. Once aboard the aircraft, under no circumstances should the passenger be required to once again demonstrate their ability to fit into a seat or perform any other qualification requirements other than those specified by the FAA, such as viewing the safety demonstration or verbally agreeing to assist other passengers if seated in an “exit row.”
Sensitivity Training for All Airline Employees
Travelers affected by excess weight often express horrific stories of being made to prove their ability to fit into a seat, while flight crews watched, explain tirelessly why they have two seats registered to one person and much more. Travelers affected by weight are not second‐class citizens and the treatment of them as such must immediately stop.
Solution
Sensitivity training is a must for the airline industry. Along with the above mentioned issues, sensitivity training is crucial in building a more accepting environment for passengers of size. Unfortunately, weight stigma is one of the last acceptable forms of discrimination in the United States. As the diversity of customers for the airline industry is immeasurable, the airline industry must ensure that it is serving each customer, regardless of size, with respect, dignity and sensitivity. The OAC stands by ready and waiting to assist any airliner with the implementation of sensitivity training for their employees.
Long term Issues
Widening of All Airline Seats
A long term initiative that is achievable by the airline industry is the widening of all airline seats. The average airliner today uses seats that are 17” – 17.2” wide. Unfortunately, this is not aligned with the current size of the average American as millions are affected by excess weight. The much‐needed widening of airline seats is long overdue. Such widening should allow for the vast majority of Americans to travel on a single fare without the requirement of purchasing a second seat.
Solution
The widening of the all airline seats will better accommodate the general public and reduce the number of individuals, affected by excess weight, being denied travel. The airline industry has failed to appropriately assess the size of an average passenger throughout the past 25 years; leading to many passengers, even those who would be deemed “normal weight” according to a body mass index scale, feeling uncomfortable during their travels. The airline industry must adapt to a more forward‐thinking and proactive methodology in constructing their aircrafts with the needs of Americans as a first priority. Major industries, such as sporting venues, automobiles and others have made changes in their seating standards to accommodate people of all shapes and sizes – the airline industry must follow suit. In the interim, immediate inclusion of a limited number of wider seats is a shorter term solution; however, the complete overhaul of airline seating must be addressed in a timely manner as millions of Americans utilize the airline industry on a daily basis.
Reproduced with permission from Obesity Action Coalition. Please visit www.oac.org
The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping our patients achieve a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight. Whether you are interested in weight loss surgery or medically supervised weight loss counseling, we can help you take control of your eating and your weight. Join us for a free seminar or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.
Your Weight Matters Because It’s Your Health!
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
A National Public Awareness Campaign Brought to You by the OAC
Your Weight Matters is a National web-based awareness campaign proudly produced and presented by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC). The goal of the campaign is to get the public talking about weight as it relates to their health and to challenge each and every American to talk to their doctor about their weight.
Why Does My Weight Matter?
Weight and health go hand-in-hand. Many Americans are not aware of the health risks associated with excess weight and how weight plays a key role in their health. That’s why it’s important for YOU to get involved in the Your Weight Matters Campaign, assess your weight and talk to your doctor!
What the Campaign Offers
The web-based campaign has all the information you need:
• Tools to measure your weight
• Health risks associated with weight
• Health and wellness tips
• A section dedicated just to kids
• And much more!
Get Started and Take the Challenge
The easy-to-navigate web site guides you step-by-step through measuring your weight and gives you tips for talking to your doctor. Once you take the challenge, you will receive a link to the e-toolkit which includes:
• Sample questions to ask your doctor
• Questions your doctor may ask you
• Food log journal
• Health and wellness quick tips
• Helpful resources
• BMI chart for adults
• And much more!
About the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC)
The OAC is a National nonprofit charity dedicated to helping those affected by obesity. The OAC brings together individual struggling with weight and provides educational and advocacy resources.
TAKE THE CHALLENGE! Visit www.yourweightmatters.org today and take the Campaign challenge!
The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana is a proud supporter of the Walk From Obesity, whose funds support the OAC. In addition, Laura Boyer, RN, CBN, and Director of Clinical Systems for the Surgical Specialists, is a previous Advisory Board Member for the OAC. Laura and James Redmann, MD, FACS, are contributing authors to the OAC.
Learn more about the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana. You can get more information on weight loss surgery such as gastric banding, gastric bypass or medically supervised weight loss programs by contacting one of our patient advocates today. The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana are committed to helping you reach your weight loss goals. Register for a free seminar and see which one of our weight loss programs has proven to be the most effective for resolving weight related health conditions.
The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana “Second Chance Symposium” Make Your Comeback!
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
Weight regain after weight loss surgery is more common than you think. The Seminar to be held this Saturday, March 6, 2010, will equip you with the necessary skills to make a “comeback”. At this seminar we will explore why the weight returned after surgery and offer realistic solutions to help you make your comeback.
Even the most successful surgical weight loss patients occasionally regain weight. There are many complex factors contributing to this as the body will do everything in its power to avoid starvation and weight loss.
The tool we provided you with during surgery may not be as effective as it was early in your post operative period. Changes in the anatomy take place in the form of a pouch that has stretched or an opening to the small intestine that has enlarged.
The team of speakers who will meet with you include, Dr. Scott Eckholdt, Dr. Stan Owens, Dr. Carson Cunningham and Jill Hurley, OTR/L. Dr. Eckholdt will discuss relapse prevention while occupational therapist, Jill Hurley will help you develop healthy habits for living. Dr. Owens created the PresciptFit Medical Nutritional Therapy program designed to focus on both behavior and physiological elements of maintaining a health weight. Dr. Cunningham will introduce the exciting new incisionless revisional procedure called ROSE.
The symposium will be held at the Fitzsimons Auditorium at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, Louisiana on Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information please call 225-289-4677 or toll free at 866-935-8040.
Why Sugar Alcohols Matter
Friday, February 19th, 2010Knowing what’s in the food you eat is just as important, if not more important, that eating well. Weight loss success is extremely dependent on monitoring food content and ingredients, such as various types of sugar alcohols. Make sure you know what you are putting into your body by reading food labels. The following article, written by Kate H. Roundtree, LDN, RD will help you better understand one mystifying nutritional element: sugar alcohols. Kate works with the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana at their Lafayette office.
Sugar Alchohols: How do they fit in?
Kate H. Rountree, LDN, RD
When learning how to read food labels, one topic of interest that patients continuously question is sugar alcohols. The population wants to know what these products are, why are they used, and how much is too much. Sugar alcohols can be consumed, but in moderation because they can cause unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects. Therefore, it is important to understand how to use these products and also where to find information on content when looking at food packaging.
Sugar alcohols are chemically formed sweeteners that can be found in many sugar free and no sugar added food products (candies, gum, baking mixes, ice cream, cookies, etc). These products are formed from naturally occurring sugar found in fruits, plants, and trees and contain approximately ½ the sweetness and calories of sugar that “regular” product have. The common names, which can be found in the ingredient list of food packaging, are mannitol, sorbitol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, erythritol, and xylitol.
Sugar alcohols are used to add sweetness with fewer calories. They are typically used in combination with high intensity artificial sweeteners (NutraSweet®, Splenda®, aspartame, etc) to offset the unpleasant after taste. They can also be used as a bulking agent in certain foods.
Sugar alcohols can be problematic when consumed in abundance because they are only partially absorbed by the small intestine. The amount absorbed is dependent on the particular sugar alcohol ingested. Sugar alcohols not absorbed by the small intestine reach the colon and are fermented by bacteria and produce gases; sugar alcohols are incompletely metabolized by humans. Incomplete absorption can lead to abdominal bloating, cramping diarrhea, and flatulence. It is important to remember that the more sugar alcohol is consumed the more intense the symptoms can be.
The pros to using sugar alcohols include:
• Contains less calories than sugar
• Causes only a slight rise in blood sugar verses a large rise when using real sugar
• Does not cause tooth decay
• Improves texture of foods
• Retains moisture in foods
• Prevents foods from browning when heated
The cons to using sugar alcohols include:
• Poorly absorbed by the body, causing GI distress, when consumed in large concentrations
• Weight gain, if overeaten
• Hypoglycemia may result in diabetics if insulin dosage is dependent on specific amount of carbohydrate consumed since sugar alcohols are used when calculating total carbohydrate content
The United States Federal Drug Administration outlines specific instructions when labeling food packaging. In the instance of sugar alcohols products labeled as “no sugar added” or “sugar free” may still contain sugar alcohols, so it is vital to always read the nutrition label on all processed foods, especially those labeled “no sugar added” or “sugar free.” Consider the serving size and the amount of sugar alcohol per serving and keep in mind that as little as 10 gm of sugar alcohols can cause GI symptoms.
Understanding the pros and cons of sugar alcohols is a key ingredient in the recipe to weight loss success. Weight loss is a lot of hard work, but knowing all of the important ingredients and factors will make your weight loss success that much easier. Next time you are at the grocery store, pay attention to the labels and use the new tools you are now equipped with to make smart, weight loss motivated, decisions. If you seek professional help, contact the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana. Their medically supervised MyWeight™ weight loss program can help you become a healthier, happier you!
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