controlled carb diet question

I’m trying the “south beach” version of controlled carb dieting, and was confused about an issue. In the accepted foods list, the doc says diet soda and tea is OK. But on some message boards and sites I go to say that caffeine-free diet soda is better.

Are they right? And why?

Thanks!

Lorie

Oh, and another question that’s been bugging me. What are sugar alcohols? Some sugar free candy has a high carbohydrate count on the label, but mostly in “sugar alcohols”. Are these metabolized differently than sugars?

Caffeine is avoided because it stimulates insulin production just like carbs.

Here is the story on “sugar alcohols”.