Net Carbs vs. Total Carbs?

Does anyone know which number I should be paying attention to? I see things like "only 6 net carbs" on packaging but then look and see that the total carbs are actually 25g.. What is a girl to think?

This is a tough one. Total carbs is the potential amount that "could" be broken down into simple sugars and absorbed. Net carbs is an estimate of what your digestive system will be able to break down. In a nut shell - Total Carbs - Undigestable Carbs = Net Carbs The problems is that "Undigestable" is not the same for everyone (especially if you have had an RNY). What might be the bigger question for people who have had WLS is what are the undigestable carbs? Some people have an adverse reaction to large quantities of Fiber and/or Sugar Alcohols (both considered undigestable). Here's an example: South Beach Diet Replacement Meal Bars 26g Total Carbs - 6g Fiber - 17g SA = 3g Net Carbs I like these because they have lots of protien (19g) and that they taste good. However, I have found (through trial-and-error) that I can eat exactly ONE of these a day. Any more than that causes unwanted gastric disturbances. Anway, I think it is OK to discount the undigestable carbs, but probably a good idea to keep track of what they are and govern yourself accordingly. Good Luck, Jim

Thanks so much for the info!!!

Amy, I really liked Jim's response - very insightful and easy to understand. But just another thing to consider about those "undigestable" carbs.... I recently attended a lecture about nutrition & supplements and someone in our group asked about the flatulance/gas some of us wls folks seem to have. The speaker explained that gas is caused by undigested foods which is why we have more problems with it than the general population. Because of that, I try to steer clear of food with too many of those undigestible carbs. Vickie J

Thanks Vickie. I have heard the same thing about flatulance. The way I understand it is that anything that makes it to the large intestine "undigested" is what causes problems. Apparently the large intestine is not as efficient as the small intestine and the normal flora in the large intestine produces a lot of gas when breaking down food. Obviously anyone that has had a bypass is going to have to deal with this problem, since the journey to the large intestine is now much shorter. I also find it very interesting that different people have problems with different foods. For instance, I have not noticed any ill affects from eating peanut butter, but I have a fellow RNY'er here at my work that sounds off like a french horn!!