The term “sugar substitutes” refers to high-intensity sweeteners, artificial sweeteners, non-nutritive sweeteners, and other low-calorie sweeteners. Then there are sugar alcohols, such as erythritol, xylitol, and mannitol. Sugar alcohols are becoming more popular in low-carbohydrate diets. But what are they? And are they a good option for people with diabetes? What are sugar alcohols? Some sugar substitutes are called “high intensity” because they taste much sweeter than sugar. Since they are so sweet, only a tiny amount is needed to give the same sweetness of sugar, with almost no calories