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IT'S LOW CARB, BUT IS IT HEALTHY?
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Added: 01/21/2004
Type: Summary
Viewed: 1288 time(s)
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IT'S LOW CARB, BUT IS IT HEALTHY?
Consumers are being introduced to new low carb products almost daily, but just because a product is "low carb" doesn't make it healthy. Andrea M. Mondello, VP of Sales & Marketing for Pleasantville Cookie Company and the founder of the popular website LowCarbEating.com lost 90lbs following a low carb diet, and has prepared this checklist for consumers trying to sort out the good from the bad:
1. Good Ingredients Make a Good Product. Hydrogenated oils are added to foods to enhance flavor and shelf life, but contain unhealthy trans-fats. Products containing them should be consumed sparingly, if at all. Other common (and much healthier) reduced carb ingredients include soy protein isolate, whey protein, almond flour, and oat flour - all used as substitutes for wheat flour.
2. Understand the 'Net Carbs' Calculation. The "Net Carbs" listed on a product label are supposed to be the number of carb grams that will actually raise blood sugar levels. The equation goes like this: Total Carbohydrates less Fiber less Sugar-Alcohols less Glycerin = Net Carbs. Though glycerin and sugar-alcohols don't affect blood glucose the way table sugar does, they DO have some affect, which seems to vary by individual. A good rule of thumb: if a product's carb count is mostly made up of glycerin and/or sugar-alcohols, start with half a portion and see how it affects you. In all cases, be careful not to over-consume products containing these ingredients.
3. What Makes It Sweet? There are two main types of sweeteners used in reduced carb/sugar-free products: artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame, and sugar-alcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol. The fact that sugar-alcohols are not well digested means that some consumers experience "intestinal side effects" when they consume even small amounts, while others can ingest sugar-alcohols with no problems. Be aware of which sweetener is used in each product you try and keep track of how it affects you.
4. Just because it's low carb doesn't mean it's a "free food". Check the portion size - and stick to it! It's great to know you CAN have a cookie or some chips once in a while and not "blow" your diet - just make sure that your treats are supplements to a diet that is full of healthy whole foods such as lean protein and fresh vegetables.
ABOUT PLEASANTVILLE COOKIE COMPANY:
Pleasantville Cookie Company is the Dublin, Ohio based manufacturer of Mama Wisa brand sugar free products, which are made with a special combination of oat flour, almond flour and flax seeds. Since its inception in 2001, the company has never used hydrogenated oils or sugar-alcohols in its sugar-free, wheat-free products, which now include Pumpkin, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies, Shake & Pour Pancake Mix, Donut Hole Mix, Muffin Mix, Cookie Mix and an All-Purpose Bake Mix. Also offered are the low-carb friendly ingredients Flax Flour and Almond Flour.
Source: Pleasantville Cookie Company
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Pleasantville Cookie Company
PO Box 772 Dublin, OH 43017
877-438-5691
http://www.LowCarbCookies.com
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