Food Allergy Living Blog Tagged Results

We’ve been talking a lot about carbohydrates and sugar in regards to what they are and how they affect the body. So for today’s post, I thought I’d wrap up our carbohydrate series with a post on how you can spot sugars on the ingredient list of your food labels.

In my carbohydrates 101 post last week, I mentioned how sugar is a simple carbohydrate which are obviously found in sugary treats but can also be found in other nutritious foods. However, you should always be cautious of how much sugar your little one is consuming since a high sugar diet can lead to issues like tooth decay, high blood sugar levels and weight gain.

As with other ingredients like gluten or dairy that sometimes can be hidden within the ingredient lists, sugar can also be difficult to find. So when you are looking at the ingredient list on your food labelsto find your child’s allergens, be sure to check for sugar as well.

Here are some terms that will help you identify sugar:

• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Maple syrup
• Honey
• Fruit juice concentrates, including apple and pear
• All ingredients ending in “ose” like:
  • Fructose
  • Sucrose
  • Lactose
  • Maltose
  • Dextrose
  • Glucose

As a parent, I was a little surprised by the amount of sugar found in many different foods such as spaghetti sauce, ketchup and even low-fat salad dressings. I know for many parents, a big eye opener is the amount of sugar found in most fruit juices even if they do claim 100% juice. Are there any other foods with a sugar content that you found surprisingly high that you want to share with us?

- Sarah

As part of our ongoing "Carb Series", today's post will discuss the carbohydrates found in Neocate. As you found in Sarah's Carb 101 post, carbohydrates are the major source of energy for humans. Children require about 50% of their total energy to come from carbohydrate (remember there are 4 calories in 1 g of carbohydrate).

The carbohydrate source in Neocate is corn syrup solids. This is probably the most asked about ingredient in the Neocate line of products! Many parents aren't sure if corn syrup solids are similar to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). It is important not to confuse the two. HFCS is chemically altered in order to make it much sweeter so it can be added to a wide range of processed/packaged foods. Thecorn syrup solids we use, along with the fats, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals are an important part of the nutritionally complete blend of nutrients in Neocate.

Another question we get asked a lot is whether the corn syrup solids in Neocate are safe for children with a corn allergy. It is important to remember that the corn syrup solids in Neocate are highly refined. This means that the ingredient goes through several steps in order to take out all of the protein from the corn (since proteins are what cause allergic reactions). This leaves only the complexcarbohydrate source from the corn. So, even if your child has an allergy to corn proteins, Neocate is still an appropriate choice for them.

The corn syrup solids used in Neocate are considered to be complex carbohydrates meaning they consist of large (branched) chains of sugars. This is important for patients who have severe gastrointestinal (GI) conditions such as Short Bowel Syndrome. Studies suggest that obtaining a good source of complex carbohydrates may be beneficial for patients who have had GI resections^1-2. The complex carbohydrates help with gut adaptation and rehabilitation to ensure proper nutrient absorption is taking place.

Got any questions on carbohydrates or the corn syrup solids used inthe Neocate family of products? Let us know!

-Christine

1. J. E. Bines, R. G. Taylor, F. Justice, et al., “Influence of diet complexity on intestinal adaptation following massive small bowel resection in a preclinical model,” Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, vol. 17, no. 11, pp. 1170–1179, 2002.

2. J. Ksiazyk, M. Piena, J. Kierkus, and M. Lyszkowska, “Hydrolyzed versus nonhydrolyzed protein diet in short bowel syndrome in children,” Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, vol. 35, no. 5, pp. 615–618, 2002.

This month we will be continuing with our ingredient series, focusing on carbohydrates and understanding food labels. In this post, I wanted to give you all an overview of carbohydrates, what they are and why they are an important part of our body and everyday life.

Carbohydrates are found in most foods. The body takes in carbohydrates from what we eat and then breaks them down into simple sugars, which are a major source of the body’s energy. There are two main carbohydrates found in foods: simple and complex.

Simple Carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates are also known as simple sugars. Your body finds simple sugars in processed sugar, such as the sugar in candy.

However, simple sugars are not just found in sugary treats – they also exist in many nutritious foods! Fruits and milk both contain simple sugars which provide your body with vitamins and other important nutrients.

Simple sugars are often processed by the body quickly which can leave you feeling hungry sooner. This is why complex carbohydrates are so important.

Complex Carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates are also known as starches. Grains, such as bread, crackers, pasta, and rice, are all starches. Much like simple carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates can exist in different forms, such as refined grains and unrefined grains.

Refined grains are processed, which removes much of their nutrients and fiber. Some examples of refined grains include white rice or white bread.

Unrefined grains, such as brown rice or whole grain bread, are not processed and still have plenty of healthy vitamins, minerals and fiber. Fiber is not only important because it fills you up and doesn’t leave you hungry, but it also helps to regulate your digestive system.

The body processes complex carbohydrates at a slower rate than simple carbohydrates. This is why you feel satisfied and have energy over a longer period of time.

Your body needs carbohydrates, but it is important to remember to limit carbohydrates with lots of simple sugars. This is because simple sugars can cause your blood sugar level to jump quickly and over an extended period of time may lead to health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. So don’t forget to focus on complex carbohydrates.

Now that we know the basics of carbohydrates, look out for Christine’s blog next week when she will continue this topic to discuss the carbs found in Neocate!

- Sarah