Net carbs...total carbs...which do I count?

Okay, I am trying to stay away from carbs as much as possible but a lot of the protein bars and other "sugar free" products are loaded in carbs but with few "net carbs". So which do we count? I am staying away from pasta for now but is the Dreamfields brand too good to be true? I am totally confused and haven't been able to reach my dietician.

Kym, I count net carbs. I avoid protein bars because I haven't found one that I like well enough for the expense. I have read lots of reviews about the dreamfields pasta. I too thought it is too good to be true. I have had it several times without any problems but I never asked our dietician what their take is on it. Of course, they'd probably say... if its not on the list, then you can't have it lol. I tend to dump with high carbohydrate food (potatoes, pasta to be more specific). My dumping symptoms have never been any more severe than a racing heart beat and the incredible urge to sleep. At any rate, I've never experienced dumping with the dreamfields pasta, whereas I have with regular pasta. So that might be an indication of its true impact carbohydrates - does that make sense?? But I have it once every couple of weeks if that. If you plan on using spaghetti sauce...make sure you watch out for sugar. I never realized how much sugar some of these sauces have. Oh and watch the sugar free products... they still have calories and the sugar alcohols can cause some major gas distress... at least for me lol April

My nut says "total carbs". You can deduct fiber grams from total carbs though. Those products that state "net carbs" subtract other stuff from the carb count that she says will still affect us.

oh i have no idea... my rule is if it tastes good, it's bad. lol *hugs* jacqui

Jacqueline...you are too funny! I hit a mini plateau, yes, I know it's not a plateau if it doesn't last a month but when you are dropping a pound a day and you don't drop for a week, I panic...well, I decided to cut all carbs out and now I am, of course, craving stuff I can't have. I found a protein bar for diabetics, ExtendBar, that only has 1 gram of sugar and lots of protein and for the most part they taste pretty good. I am okay with pasta as far as cravings but every now and then I crave mac'n'cheese...bad, bad, bad I know. Once I cut all carbs out , AGAIN...I have started losing again. Oh, well...I guess all nutritionist have a different take on it. But I know the dangers of sugar alcohols....OUCH!!