Carbs

i have a question, when we count carbs are we suppose to subtract the fiber?  Do we not digest the fiber?

There is a concept referred to as "net carbs" - which means the total carb count minus the grams of fiber. 

And fiber is good for us, so if we get a lot of carbs from, say, bran flakes, the fact that we are eating a bowl of carb-ish cereal can still carry some bit of redeeming value. 

However, post op we are generally guided to consume only complex carbs, which come in the form of fruits and veggies. These foods contain a lot of natural fiber anyway (again, a good thing) when compared to the simple carbs such as bread, pasta, pretzels, and what have you.

But don't be deceived and don't deceive yourself on the carb counting thing. Count what goes into your mouth. Don't tamper with the numbers or rig the statistics. If you eat a loaf of bread, count a loaf of bread. If you eat some lettuce, count some lettuce.

The notion of "net" carbs will almost certainly lead you to paths you don't want to go - a lot of highly processed "diet" foods focus on net carb counts, for example. Ideally, we eat protein first, veggies next, and a little fruit if there's room. You can stay away from refined/simple carbs entirely for the rest of your life and not miss a beat. 

Ditto what Lynn said.  The figures surgeons/nutritionists give (if they give carn count limits) is total carbs.  Trying to use net carbs is a guessing game (not every body will process fI er in exactly the same way) and the reported fiber content of foods has a significant margin of error. 

Lora

net carbs never worked for me ... some - from veggies - maybe - but the processed fiber from protein bars - are a joke for my body... my body got very efficient to digest that and convert into sugars... 

so unless you are sure it is not affecting your blood sugar levels - never subtract the fiber or SA from total carbs - all carbs matter - more or less...but they do...

(FYI - some of us dump more on Sugar Alcohols - SA - than on sugar..) 

Good to know about the SA, I've yet to try any since surgery and I've been wary to.

Sugar alcohols are the absolute worst for me. It takes very few to cause me all sorts of pain and suffering.

I used to use them, often, when doing Atkins and other diets and after a while they lost it's effect - no pain, bloating or gas. I've not taken the habit back up again.

Sugar alcohols are disastrous for me. Don't ask for the details, would right away take us to TMI territory!

The gas that comes along with sugar alcohols is horrible. Just saying. Don't want to be too descriptive. The pain can suck from them also. 

Thank you for all the great info