Net Carbs vs. Regular? - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

shamrockin32 · 10-08-2010, 12:40 PM

So I've jumped on the Atkins train as of recently and I was at the grocery store and got a little confused.. what's the difference between net carbs and total carbs? a little help!

JerseyGyrl · 10-08-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamrockin32

So I've jumped on the Atkins train as of recently and I was at the grocery store and got a little confused.. what's the difference between net carbs and total carbs? a little help!

First of all, congratulations for jumping on the Atkins train!

Total carbs are just that, the total count of carbohydrates in a particular food. Net carbs are the total carbs minus dietary fiber. In other words, if a food has 10 total carbs and 5 grams of dietary fiber, it would have 5 net carbs.

Hope this helps

shamrockin32 · 10-09-2010, 06:38 PM

is dietary fiber on the nutrition label?

thanks for the info!

JerseyGyrl · 10-09-2010, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamrockin32

is dietary fiber on the nutrition label?

thanks for the info!

Yes, you will find dietary fiber listed on nutrition label.

jakesmommy05 · 10-10-2010, 10:20 AM

What about sugar alcohols? Do you subtract those?

JerseyGyrl · 10-10-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakesmommy05

What about sugar alcohols? Do you subtract those?

Absolutely not! There is a lot of contraversy over this, but, my motto has always been, when in doubt, don't do it!
This may help you understand sugar alcohols a little clearer.
http://www.phlaunt.com/lowcarb/19059967.php

kimberleyanddarren · 10-10-2010, 03:32 PM

When the label says this:
carbs 5g
of which sugars 2g

does that mean the total is 7g or still the 5g?

StephanieM · 10-11-2010, 01:00 PM

It's 5 grams. The 2 g of sugar is just to show you were some of the carbs are coming from. They show the fiber and the sugar.

meremere217 · 10-22-2010, 03:18 PM

I always have success with subtracting the sugar alcohol from total carbs. Even the Atkins Diet atkins products subtract sugar alcohols to get net carbs. I eat at least 1 bar a day and 1 piece of sugar free candy (about 15 sugar alcohols total) and I still have success. I guess it just effects every differently.

JerseyGyrl · 10-22-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meremere217

I always have success with subtracting the sugar alcohol from total carbs. Even the Atkins Diet atkins products subtract sugar alcohols to get net carbs. I eat at least 1 bar a day and 1 piece of sugar free candy (about 15 sugar alcohols total) and I still have success. I guess it just effects every differently.

You may want to have a look at this, it explains sugar alcohols and those Atkins products quite well.

http://www.phlaunt.com/lowcarb/19059967.php

StephanieM · 10-22-2010, 11:24 PM

My weight loss stalled during OWL and I always suspected it was the bars. I had 3 during the week and noticed in my food and weight journal that's when my weight slowed (I had one every other day)

Thanks for posting the article, it was informative and I'll need to do some personal research on this. I wasn't sure about it.

meremere217 · 10-23-2010, 09:12 AM

All I know is I have success on atkins by counting net carbs. It allows a much more fulfilling diet with less restrictions, while still losing weight, making it easier to stick to for me. I am a dietitian as well and everything I learned in school is againist low carb but I know from experience it does work. After a month I plan on adding back certain fruits and some whole grains (more of a south beach approach) while also watching calorie intake so hopefully I can continue to lose weight.