Confusion about "net" carbs

[caroann]

I know SOMEWHERE this has been addressed and I've just gotten the right Atkins book and haven't read it all. But I always subtracted the FIBER grams from the TOTAL carbs to get NET CARBS. Now, I see it's PROTEIN grams minus total carbs. Is it just protein grams or is it protein AND fiber? HELP ME!

[Lyssie]

Re: Confusion about "net" carbs

What? I am not sure where you saw something about subtracting protein to get a carb count. That is completely wrong.

In the US (I suppose we can include Texas), to have NET carbs, you subtract fiber grams from total carb grams.

Some people will also subtract sugar alcohols, but if you are just starting out, you should not be eating anything with sugar alcohols in it.

[caroann]

Re: Confusion about "net" carbs

On page 478 of the dandr footnote following Cauliflower Potato Salad - "Total carbohydrates per serving: 4 grams (count only 2 "digestible" carbs when doing Atkins); protein: 2 grams; fat: 8 grams; calories 85.

That's not the only place I saw it. Also after Ceasar Salad recipe (page 479). I'll assume until I dig further the fiber grams were being subtracted, just not mentioned in the footnote.

I was an Atkins fan way back when you ate one salad a day plus meat and "net carbs" weren't even thought of. So, if I asked a dumb question please look over it. I'm just trying to catch up...being from Texas and all

[Georgiana]

Re: Confusion about "net" carbs

It's just by accident that the fiber grams equal the protein grams.

It will save you a lot of time (and a headache) if you log your foods into something like Fitday. There it gives you the total number of carbs for almost any food you can think of, plus the fiber grams. So at the end of the day, after you have entered all your food, all you do is subtract the fiber from the total carbs.

The link to Fitday:
FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal

[Lyssie]

Re: Confusion about "net" carbs

Um. I was joking about the Texas thing, sorry if you took offense.

The "digestible" carbs are net carbs. the 4 grams is the total amount of carbs. so basically the serving has 2g of fiber. it is not subtracting protein or anything like that. I am assuming that this is just the way the nutrition information is listed (my book is at home and I am at work so I cannot double check this). I believe there is a note in the book stating that "digestible" carbs are the same as "net" carbs though. I forget where you would find this. Perhaps on the carb counter that is inside the cover?

I would think that you could trust what I am saying about this instead of needing to "dig further" but I hope this helps.

The first time I ate Atkins I did not pay attention to net carbs either, but I was not aware that there was a time when you only ate one salad per day.

I feel like this has been addressed in many threads and in many places in the book.

[Einy]

Re: Confusion about "net" carbs

That's correct... As a general rule, Net Carbs = Total Carbs - Fiber Carbs

As Lyssie said, I would stay away from Sugar Alcohol at least during induction and first rung, then you can experiment with them later, people react differently to it.

[caroann]

Re: Confusion about "net" carbs

Thank you guys. I just panicked a little...