[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/sugar-free-is-not-what-the-label-really-means\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/sugar-free-is-not-what-the-label-really-means\/","headline":"Sugar Free is not what the label REALLY means","name":"Sugar Free is not what the label REALLY means","description":"[vc_row type=\u201cin_container\u201d full_screen_row_position=\u201cmiddle\u201d column_margin=\u201cdefault\u201d column_direction=\u201cdefault\u201d column_direction_tablet=\u201cdefault\u201d column_direction_phone=\u201cdefault\u201d scene_position=\u201ccenter\u201d text_color=\u201cdark\u201d text_align=\u201cleft\u201d row_border_radius=\u201cnone\u201d row_border_radius_applies=\u201cbg\u201d overflow=\u201cvisible\u201d overlay_strength=\u201c0.3\u201d gradient_direction=\u201cleft_to_right\u201d shape_divider_position=\u201cbottom\u201d bg_image_animation=\u201cnone\u201d][vc_column column_padding=\u201cno-extra-padding\u201d column_padding_tablet=\u201cinherit\u201d column_padding_phone=\u201cinherit\u201d column_padding_position=\u201call\u201d column_element_direction_desktop=\u201cdefault\u201d column_element_spacing=\u201cdefault\u201d desktop_text_alignment=\u201cdefault\u201d tablet_text_alignment=\u201cdefault\u201d phone_text_alignment=\u201cdefault\u201d background_color_opacity=\u201c1\u201d background_hover_color_opacity=\u201c1\u201d column_backdrop_filter=\u201cnone\u201d column_shadow=\u201cnone\u201d...","datePublished":"2012-10-09","dateModified":"2026-01-27","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/author\/ein_marlene\/#Person","name":"Marlene","url":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/author\/ein_marlene\/","identifier":4,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/669d68837c50949b8a978b90d77c2c97da62be0c9a8fee8912abb01c7e0947a8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/669d68837c50949b8a978b90d77c2c97da62be0c9a8fee8912abb01c7e0947a8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Edison Institute of Nutrition","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Edison-Institute-of-Nutrition-logo-color.svg","url":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Edison-Institute-of-Nutrition-logo-color.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/sugar-free-is-not-what-the-label-really-means.jpg","url":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/sugar-free-is-not-what-the-label-really-means.jpg","height":630,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/sugar-free-is-not-what-the-label-really-means\/","about":["Articles","Healthy Eating","Weight Management"],"wordCount":860,"articleBody":"[vc_row type=\u201cin_container\u201d full_screen_row_position=\u201cmiddle\u201d column_margin=\u201cdefault\u201d column_direction=\u201cdefault\u201d column_direction_tablet=\u201cdefault\u201d column_direction_phone=\u201cdefault\u201d scene_position=\u201ccenter\u201d text_color=\u201cdark\u201d text_align=\u201cleft\u201d row_border_radius=\u201cnone\u201d row_border_radius_applies=\u201cbg\u201d overflow=\u201cvisible\u201d overlay_strength=\u201c0.3\u201d gradient_direction=\u201cleft_to_right\u201d shape_divider_position=\u201cbottom\u201d bg_image_animation=\u201cnone\u201d][vc_column column_padding=\u201cno-extra-padding\u201d column_padding_tablet=\u201cinherit\u201d column_padding_phone=\u201cinherit\u201d column_padding_position=\u201call\u201d column_element_direction_desktop=\u201cdefault\u201d column_element_spacing=\u201cdefault\u201d desktop_text_alignment=\u201cdefault\u201d tablet_text_alignment=\u201cdefault\u201d phone_text_alignment=\u201cdefault\u201d background_color_opacity=\u201c1\u201d background_hover_color_opacity=\u201c1\u201d column_backdrop_filter=\u201cnone\u201d column_shadow=\u201cnone\u201d column_border_radius=\u201cnone\u201d column_link_target=\u201c_self\u201d column_position=\u201cdefault\u201d gradient_direction=\u201cleft_to_right\u201d overlay_strength=\u201c0.3\u201d width=\u201c1\/1\u201d tablet_width_inherit=\u201cdefault\u201d animation_type=\u201cdefault\u201d bg_image_animation=\u201cnone\u201d border_type=\u201csimple\u201d column_border_width=\u201cnone\u201d column_border_style=\u201csolid\u201d][image_with_animation image_url=\u201c45326\u201d image_size=\u201cfull\u201d animation_type=\u201centrance\u201d animation=\u201cNone\u201d animation_movement_type=\u201ctransform_y\u201d hover_animation=\u201cnone\u201d alignment=\u201ccenter\u201d border_radius=\u201cnone\u201d box_shadow=\u201cnone\u201d image_loading=\u201cdefault\u201d max_width=\u201c100%\u201d max_width_mobile=\u201cdefault\u201d][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=\u201cin_container\u201d full_screen_row_position=\u201cmiddle\u201d column_margin=\u201cdefault\u201d column_direction=\u201cdefault\u201d column_direction_tablet=\u201cdefault\u201d column_direction_phone=\u201cdefault\u201d scene_position=\u201ccenter\u201d text_color=\u201cdark\u201d text_align=\u201cleft\u201d row_border_radius=\u201cnone\u201d row_border_radius_applies=\u201cbg\u201d overflow=\u201cvisible\u201d overlay_strength=\u201c0.3\u201d gradient_direction=\u201cleft_to_right\u201d shape_divider_position=\u201cbottom\u201d bg_image_animation=\u201cnone\u201d][vc_column column_padding=\u201cno-extra-padding\u201d column_padding_tablet=\u201cinherit\u201d column_padding_phone=\u201cinherit\u201d column_padding_position=\u201call\u201d column_element_direction_desktop=\u201cdefault\u201d column_element_spacing=\u201cdefault\u201d desktop_text_alignment=\u201cdefault\u201d tablet_text_alignment=\u201cdefault\u201d phone_text_alignment=\u201cdefault\u201d background_color_opacity=\u201c1\u201d background_hover_color_opacity=\u201c1\u201d column_backdrop_filter=\u201cnone\u201d column_shadow=\u201cnone\u201d column_border_radius=\u201cnone\u201d column_link_target=\u201c_self\u201d column_position=\u201cdefault\u201d gradient_direction=\u201cleft_to_right\u201d overlay_strength=\u201c0.3\u201d width=\u201c1\/1\u201d tablet_width_inherit=\u201cdefault\u201d animation_type=\u201cdefault\u201d bg_image_animation=\u201cnone\u201d border_type=\u201csimple\u201d column_border_width=\u201cnone\u201d column_border_style=\u201csolid\u201d][vc_column_text] Sugar Free\u2009\u2014\u2009Not What the Label Really MeansWe all know the dangers of consuming sugar in high amounts, but companies are getting crafty at hiding the actual sugar and carbohydrate content of their products.For example, products marketed as \u201cdiabetic friendly\u201d or \u201csugar-free\u201d actually contain substances, called sugar alcohols. These are, actually, neither a&nbsp;sugar nor an alcohol. They are just similar, in structure, chemically! Essentially, they include any ingredient ending in \u201col\u201d such as xylitol, maltitol, sorbitol, glycerol, etc. The catch, however, is that each of these are not really natural products and have to go through processing. Secondly, each one has a&nbsp;different Glycemic Index&nbsp;value.The GI Value of Specific Sugar AlcoholsMaltitol syrup, intermediate: 53Maltitol syrup, regular: 52Maltitol syrup, high:&nbsp;48Polyglycitol\/hydrogenated starch hydrolysate: 39Maltitol syrup, high polymer: 36Maltitol: 36Xylitol: 13Isomalt: 9Sorbitol: 9Lactitol: 6Erythritol: 0Mannitol: 0The most widely used, of sugar alcohols, is MALTITOL. It can be found in products, labeled \u201csugar free\u201d, and can be found in sweets, ice creams, cookies and chocolates!The catch? Maltitol is anything but low Glycemic and actually will still have a&nbsp;response on blood sugar levels. The good news is that since these substances are not broken down by the body, they will not affect the bacteria in the mouth and promote tooth decay. The bad news is that these substances are not broken down by the body and have quite a&nbsp;negative effect on the digestive system, causing nausea, cramps, and diarrhea. Hmmmm\u2009\u2014\u2009is the trade-off worth the effects?As well, I&nbsp;would also like to point out that companies are also posting on their labels the sugar\/carbohydrate content \u201cper serving\u201d. Usually, consumers are partaking of twice the amount listed on the serving size. Vitamin Water is a&nbsp;perfect example of this deception, where the label minimizes the serving size to be less than what is actually in the bottle.This can be very misleading to the average consumer.For a&nbsp;great resource to educate clients on certain products, go to: https:\/\/www.sugarstacks.com\/A great read: https:\/\/www.sugarshock.com\/Just remember to keep an eye out for the sugar deceptions which are no more than just a&nbsp;marketing tactic!!Jennifer Papaconstantinou CNP,&nbsp;NNCP Student LiaisonAs a&nbsp;Student at Edison Institute of Nutrition, you will work at your own pace, online, in the comfort of your own home.&nbsp;We combine the latest scientific research with ageless truths practiced by traditional societies. Our Mission is to teach you to evaluate and understand the root cause of ill health while providing you with the knowledge, direction, tools, and the critical thinking skills which will enable you to guide your clients (and yourself and your family) to optimum health. If you\u2019d like to learn more about any of our programs, call us today at&nbsp;1\u2212800\u2212456\u22129313&nbsp;or&nbsp;contact us&nbsp;online.Flexible online learning \u2022 Payment plans \u2022 Advisor supportExplore Our Programs | Book an Advisor Call [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row] "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Sugar Free is not what the label REALLY means","item":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/sugar-free-is-not-what-the-label-really-means\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]