Question:
Can someone explain

Many of the products out there now are advertising "Net Carbs" - total carbs less fiber. Are these really better for us and do we count the gross or net number for the total carbs?    — Becky M. (posted on March 29, 2004)

March 29, 2004
I the Doctor and Dietition the same question. Both agreed to count the "total carbs" not the net. Wasn't too happy about the answer but at least I know what to look for.
   — diannapullen

March 29, 2004
My first comment would be to check with your Dr. or dietition. I just finished a course in Diebetic education with my husband. They count carbs as follows: Label says: Total carbs 24 fiber carbs 5 sugar alcohol carbs 2 So you take total carbs (24) minus the fiber carbs (5) gives you 19 carbs. Then you divide the amount of sugar alcohol carbs by 2, leaving 1. Doing that to this example gives you a total of 18 carbs that have to be counted. 24-5=19-1=18. One carb serving for the diabetics is 15 carbs. Hope this helps.
   — crjt

March 29, 2004
I'm a faithful Atkin's follower, but I never go by NET carbs. I go by carbs only and sugar gm. I saw a chocolate bar today that said on the package.."1 gm of carb" I checked the nutrition list and it said carbs 19gm. Needless to say I put it back.
   — ZZ S.

March 29, 2004
depends on WHO you ask. The whole crux of the issue (no matter HOW you look at it), we as animals do not EVER digest sugar alcohols or most fibers (99% of them). They pass thru the body without are taking anything - including nutrition from them. However we do NEED fiber. There are some awesome bacteria living in our bowels that feed off of fiber - so although WE don't digest it, the bacteria does - and needs it to stay alive - and we need the bacteria to have healthy bowels. So we need fiber, but we don't digest it - should we count it in carbs? Ummm, I'm not until someone proves to me that we're digesting more than 1% of it. As for sugar alcohols, we don't digest it, the bacteria doesn't either...passes thru whole, which is why so many people experience loose bowels from them. Hope that helps some. Of course follow your doctors protocol, as always :-)
   — [Deactivated Member]