Low Carb Frequently Asked Questions - Net carbs help!

I just realized I have been counting total carbs rather than net carbs!!! Gasp!!!! How do you figure out the net carbs?

Net carbs are calculated by taking the total carbohydrate count and subtracting the fiber ( if something has 5 total carbs & has 2 grams fiber, the net carb count would be 3) Some people feel it is ok to also subtract sugar alcohols. I've never done that, I've only subtracted fiber. Hope this helps.

All the best to you!!!

Kim

Hey Kim! How are ya? Haven't see you on in a while! Is that a new pic? Looks like your at goal already!
maggie

Yes Muchos Gracias!

I just bought some low carb ice cream and on the bin it says it has 3 net carbs cause they subracted the total then teh fiber then the sugar alcohols ..is this correct? and if so is sugars a diffrence from sugar alcohols?

Sugar alcohols are actually a "funky food." Net carbs is total carbs minus fiber and sugar alcohols (and usually glycerines). Many folks don't have to count sugar alcohols, but some folks are affected by them. Some of them are "self limiting" in that they can have a laxative effect. Buy a little, read the ingredients for the "OL" part - that's the sugar alcohol (maltitol, xyltitol etc.) and figure out what works for you. They are of course a "funky food" meaning an essentially non caloric non nutritional food that doesn't quite fit any category, so I still wouldn't go hog wild with them - better to eat nutritious and save those for your treats (still better than eating the regular stuff if you can do it moderately). Hope this helps

well I have this ice cream and it gets the crab count from total- fiber-sugar-sugar alchools, it cant be wrong on the package if it says 3 net carbs right? FDA has to approve that it has 3 net carbs ? am I correct or am I just finding excuses to say i can still have it.

The FDA does not endorse or recognize "net carbs" "impact carbs" or whatever other term the food companies use. It's not a regulated term.

see I looked it up last night and I know a bunch of diffrent webites soem saild count sugar alchohols others did not but one with a doctor said count them so I have to belive the doctor....

I would go with the instructions in the low carb book you are following Vouge. My atkins book says Carbs-Fiber. The other thing is to be consistent in how you count. You could stall yourself if you count Carbs-Fiber one day and then Carbs-Fiber-Sugar Alcohols another. You won't be able to learn your Critical Carbohydrate Level that way.

:dizzy: ;) :) I always minus sugar alcohols, it seems to work pretty well. Judy H