Some of you have jumped on the Atkins diet band wagon in an attempt to lose weight and may have had great success with the diet. The low-carb diet, which trades carbohydrates for more protein-rich foods, has been widespread since 1972 when Dr. Robert Atkins first established it. There have been a number of other low-carb diets advertised that have had some success as well, but Atkins is the most prominent.

Unfortunately, while you do lose weight, there is one underlying factor that is often times ignored, which is your body needs carbohydrates to live. Your body uses carbohydrates as a source of energy by converting them into glucose, and carbohydrates are easier for your body to convert than fats.

When you neglect this fact your body start to experience cramps, diarrhea, and many other negative symptoms, as well as issues with blood sugar. So the big question here is how would you go about practicing a low-carb diet, while consuming carbohydrates for energy?

You can find the answer in Sugar Alcohols, which are a nice mixture of Xylitol, Erythritol, and other ingredients. Sugar alcohols are comprised of neither sugar nor alcohol. They were originally marketed to diabetics, because while they taste sweet, they don’t affect your blood sugar, and are therefore safe. While they don’t affect your blood sugar levels, they do help glucose levels, which give your body the energy it needs. This makes Sugar Alcohols extremely popular among both diabetics, and those of you who are on low carb diets. It is a perfect replacement for real carbohydrates. However, as good as they are, it is best not to overdo it because consuming too much could lead to gas, diarrhea and bloating. For some of you who have undergone gastric bypass surgery, you should also avoid these sugar alcohols, as they may lead to “late dumping” (which is what occurs when the lower intestine is filled with food that can’t be processed, leading to extreme discomfort).

If you’re on a low carb diet, and you’re already in good health, you should definitely give sugar alcohol a try as a replacement for carbohydrates. However, it is a good idea to check with your doctor or nutritionist first to make sure this is a wise move, because everyone is different, and could react differently to the diet. You know that losing weight allows you to increase your energy. In turn your exercise level will increase and a greater level of happiness, self esteem, and pride are a few other side effects. No matter how good you look, you won’t get too far if your body fails in the process!