Question:
Another Carb Question.

I have spent more time in the grocery store these past weeks than I have in my entire life. I have become one of those label reading freaks...lol. Anyway, can someone clarify for me. If something has a good amount of protien and 30 or so carbs, which is broken down into 2grams dietary fiber and 3 sugars, its okay to eat Right??? What we are suppose to be avoiding is the sugar carbs. My nutritionist went over this with me a bazillion times but my brain is like swiss cheese, which btw has 8 protein grams and 1 carb.~hee hee~    — Michelle B. (posted on November 6, 2003)

November 6, 2003
All of the carbs count except for sugar alcohols and fiber. High amounts of the sugar alcohols- more than 8-10 grams in a serving- can cause terrible gas and bloating, so be careful with them. Fiber (like the sugar alcohols) does not count because it has little effect on blood sugar levels and it just passes through the system. I am unable to tolerate any more than 26-28 carbs in 8 oz. of liquid. My dietition recommends that we do not eat anything with more than 8-10 carbs per serving in chewable foods. Example: Label says 27 total carbs- 10 gm fiber- 4 gm sugar alcohols- 3 gm sugar- 10 other carbs. In this examlpe only th 13 sugar and "other" carbs count, or affect blood sugar (and dumping syndrome). Once again, you may be extra sensitive to sugar alcohols so be careful with them. Also watch that you do not consume aspartame (Equal) on a regular basis. This stuff is POISON- breaks down into wood alcohol (poison, carcinogen) and formaldehyde (imbalming fluid- yuck!). Try sticking to Splenda or Stevia (a sweet plant extract).
   — Cynthia F.

November 6, 2003
I saw a post from someone who said their nutritionist gave them an equation to use when shopping for food. You take the total number of carb grams subtract the protein grams and then subtract the fiber grams. If that number is 10 or less then that food is okay to eat. (example: a zone bar has 20g of carbs minus 15g of protein minus 1g of fiber=4. Many people eat chili and this equation would justify eating that food which has a lot of carbs) I have tried this equation and have used it. It allows me to have some carbs and a more varied diet without going carb crazy. I am still losing weight so it must be working. However, I do not/never have dumped so I do not watch my sugar that closely. I still eat protein first and foremost, but on those days when I want some carbs this equation works for me. Also, I have seen others post that rather than counting all carbs they eat during the day, they only count white, processed, refined carbs. This means they do not count fruits, veggies, beans, whole grains towards their daily carb intake. We are all different and respond to foods differently so you just have to experiment and find what works for you.
   — Kristen S.