Rita's Italian Water Ice Update

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2004
Rita's Italian Water Ice Update
3
Wed, 05-05-2004 - 7:36pm
Well, I've researched this one to the max! I'm still not sure if it's ok for Phase 1, but I'm pretty sure it would be ok for Phase 2. This is the sugar-free varieties.

Sugar Free 6oz serving:

Calories: 62, Fat: 0, Sugar: 0, Carbs: 15.91 Cholsterol: 0

This is what the guy from Rita's said:

"The two main ingredients that add calories to our sugar free water ice are Maltodextrin, and Sorbitol. Malto dextrin is used as a bulking agent and gives the product its texture. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol and is used as a sweetener in conjunction with aspartame (NutraSweet) or sucralose (Splenda)."

I looked up Malto dextrin and found info in of all places the metamucil site. It's in that!

This is what they say: WHAT IS MALTODEXTRIN?

The maltodextrin in Metamucil is a carbohydrate derived from cornstarch. It is used to improve texture and aid in mixing. Maltodextrin contains approximately 25 percent digestible sugars, as compared to sucrose, or table sugar, which consists of 100 percent sugars. Maltodextrin, like other carbohydrates, provides 4 kcal/g. On a per dose basis of Metamucil, this amounts to about 6-8 calories coming from the maltodextrin.

I found this info at http://www.caloriecontrol.org/sorbitol.html

Sorbitol is a bulk sweetner with good taste and reduced calories. It does not promote tooth decay. Sorbitol is suitable for a variety of products reduced in calories, sugar or fat and has been safely used for almost half a century.

Sorbitol, a polyol (sugar alcohol), is a bulk sweetener found in numerous food products. In addition to providing sweetness, it is an excellent humectant and texturizing agent. Sorbitol is about 60 percent as sweet as sucrose with one-third fewer calories. It has a smooth mouthfeel with a sweet, cool and pleasant taste. It is non-cariogenic and may be useful to people with diabetes. Sorbitol has been safely used in processed foods for almost half a century. It is also used in other products, such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.


Any comments are appreciated!!!

Lee Anne


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Wed, 05-05-2004 - 9:47pm

LeeAnne,


The sugar alcohols in a product is what causes severe stomach upset.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2004
Thu, 05-06-2004 - 1:44pm
Thanks for the input Cathy. It's not something that I would eat every day, but if the guys want to go to Rita's for a treat, I know I would feel left out! It just wouldn't be the same if I brought along a sugar-free ice pop or something, you know? We don't really keep frozen sweet treats in the house. (It helps my husband and I stay away from them) So going out is something the boys find special.

Again, thanks for your input :-)

Lee Anne

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2003
Thu, 05-06-2004 - 5:35pm
My two cents about sorbitol... YUCK!!!

Have you ever had the sugar-free lollipops they give out at the pediatrician's office or the dentist's office?

My dad (a pediatrician) gives those out in his office, and as a kid I hated them. I can't stand them today, either. They always had a gross aftertaste, and they always made my mouth feel very dry, like it had a "coating" on it. I'd rather just not have the lollipop at all!!!

But sugar alcohol is about the worst stuff you can eat. If you like spending time on the toilet, then go for it :)

Becca

Becca

On the Beach Since September 8, 2008