They Lie: Wrigley 5 Gum

[Injecto]

Wrigley.com :: 5 Gum (http://www.wrigley.com/global/brands/5-gum.aspx)

They specifically advertise this as a sugar-free gum, and yet it has 2 carbs per stick, made from the sorbitol.

I suppose they can claim that they didn't "lie" because they said they are sugar free, meaning the white cubicle type of sugar, but they know darn well they are attempting to market to healthwary types and dieters, and as such the inclusion of sorbitol completely negates that. Perhaps I'm just jaded because I DO have to worry about every little carb, and I eat about 6 of those sticks per day.

[poodlebone]

I haven't tried the Wrigley's gum but I do chew 4-6 sticks of Trident gum each day, usually 2 pieces at a time. I think those have 1g carb per piece and they don't have an effect on my BG. I can handle small amounts of some sugar alcohols without needing to bolus. The sugar alcohols in the gum don't give me any gastric problems either since it's such a tiny amount at a time and those 4-6 sticks are spread throughout the day.

[fgummett]

Then there's the "no added sugar" trick...

Rule #1: avoid any "food" that makes a health claim... unless they come up with a "Smart Choice" label for broccoli ;)

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Did you see this article last week..? NYTime - For Your Health, Froot Loops... (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/business/05smart.html?_r=1) (sometimes the link takes you to an NYTime login screen just try it again)Froot Loops qualifies for the label because it meets standards set by the Smart Choices Program for fiber and Vitamins A and C, and because it does not exceed limits on fat, sodium and sugar. It contains the maximum amount of sugar allowed under the program for cereals, 12 grams per serving, which in the case of Froot Loops is 41 percent of the product, measured by weight. That is more sugar than in many popular brands of cookies.

“Froot Loops is an excellent source of many essential vitamins and minerals and it is also a good source of fiber with only 12 grams of sugar,” said Celeste A. Clark, senior vice president of global nutrition for Kellogg’s, which makes Froot Loops. “You cannot judge the nutritional merits of a food product based on one ingredient.”

Dr. Clark, who is a member of the Smart Choices board, said that the program’s standard for sugar in cereals was consistent with federal dietary guidelines that say that “small amounts of sugar” added to nutrient-dense foods like breakfast cereals can make them taste better. That, in theory, will encourage people to eat more of them, which would increase the nutrients in their diet.

[butterflykisses]

If sugar alcohols are counted as "sugar" then aren't ALL sugar free gums lying? I think they all have some sort of sugar alcohols? At least all that I have chewed.

[Injecto]

If sugar alcohols are counted as "sugar" then aren't ALL sugar free gums lying? I think they all have some sort of sugar alcohols? At least all that I have chewed.

I don't know about all gums, but sugar alcohols are nothing more than pure sugar with a different name. They are NOT the same thing as sweetners, and it's sad and wrong to see so many "diet" labels claim they are sugar free and yet have sugar alcohols.

[genie86333]

Actually aren't sugar alcohols considered carbs, but not sugars? They are listed separately from sugars on labels, which means by the nutrition label standard, they are sugar free.

[butterflykisses]

Then there's all the sugar free candies, many of them are sweetened with sugar alcohols.