Various diet questions

What is sugar alcohol
Sugar Alcohol is neither a "sugar" nor an "alcohol". Though the word "alcohol" brings to mind intoxicating substances, in this case it is used in the scientific definition, "of a processed liquid." Sugar alcohols, which include sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, maltitol syrup, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, are found naturally in berries, apples, plums and other foods. They also are produced commercially from carbohydrates such as sucrose, glucose and starch.

Most sugar alcohols are approximately half as sweet as sucrose; maltitol and xylitol are about as sweet as sucrose. As a group, sugar alcohols are incompletely absorbed and metabolized and consequently contribute fewer calories than other carbohydrates.

Sugar alcohols affect blood glucose levels less dramatically than sugar and therefore require little or no insulin for metabolism. Thus, sugar alcohols are often used in foods for persons with diabetes.

According to the FDA, foods that contain sugar alcohols but no sugar can be labeled "sugar free." But if the food is not also low in calories, it must bear a statement such as "Not a reduced-calorie food." Products containing sugar alcohols also may be labeled "Does not promote tooth decay," as these
sweeteners are non-cariogenic.

When consumed in excess (for example, more than three pieces of chocolate an hour), sugar alcohols may produce abdominal gas and discomfort in individuals. However, the newer sugar alcohols, such as maltitol, produce less of this effect than their predecessors, such as mannitol.

What is the effect of it on people on the JK diet?   (John Kender answered these questions for me)

1) Sorbitol is the primary natural sweetener in prune juice, and is why prune juice pulls water into the intestines. I think that in terms of pulling,though, it should be fine.  Maltitol etc. should also be no problem.

2) Carob is a ground-up seed, so it is probably not a good idea on that basis. But there's not supposed to be any caffeine in it.  Carob is in fact a legume! Generally, I am suspicious of seeds and nuts because, being seeds, they have to carry things that stimulate the growth of plants--and yeasts.

3) Concentrated fruit juice contains a lot of sucrose (table sugar) in it. It is sort of like liquid raisins. Plain fruit juice is probably not a problem due to the fruit acids in it (like malic, tartaric, citric, etc.) which are "good".

5) Tofu is probably bad, as it is the proteins from soy. It may not have very much soy oils in it, but even some soy oil causes some people problems.

6) I find butter a trigger, personally: lots of itching. It may also be the case that vitamin-D enriched dairy products are triggers, too (like whole milk), but I haven't fully tested that out personally. Other people have found butter "bad", too.