Still confused about counting carbs!

[Danni28]

Hi there! I post recently regarding the same thing,however i am still confused.Hope someone can help please!

I am on day 3 of Induction trying count cabs,i am not sure if i am doing this right,i look at carbs on back of pack and count total carbs or should i be counting net carbs and if so how?

Also does anyone know an accurate online site in uk for counting carbs.

This is partly why i gave up the plan last time,could not count carbs properly,making it difficult to move onto OWL.

Any help will be greatly appreciated
Danielle

[suzyque]

Re: Still confused about counting carbs!

Grams of carbs - grams of fiber = net carbs which is what you count.
For example: Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Lettuce, cos or romaine, raw 1 cup of shredded Romaine lettuce is 1 gram net carbs.


( This thread http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/main-atkins-diet-forum/71101-net-carbs-uk.html says that nutritional labels in the UK already subtract the fiber from the total carb count.)

[Elizellen]

Re: Still confused about counting carbs!

As suzyque said, if it is a UK label where the fibre grams are listed in a separate section of the label from the carbohydrates then you count the 'total carbs' as being the same as 'net carbs' as our labels don't count fibre as being a carbohydrate at all.

Here is a sample UK label from Sainsbury's website that shows where the fibre is listed, and you can see it is not a part of the carbohydrate section so does not need to be taken off the total carbs number.



I go by the packet information and make a 'custom entry' in my fitday.com account by first adding the fibre to the carbs number and entering that as the total carbs including x number of fibre carbs so fitday can show the total including fibre for me to do the deduction myself (online version)

So if I was eating that food in the label I would enter
total carbs = 31
fibre = 2.3

I think all the carb counting website I have seen use the US method even those based in UK.

[Danni28]

Re: Still confused about counting carbs!

Thanks for the replies.I understand now i count the total carbs. I do not deduct the fibre to find net carbs! Well i hope thats right.

Thanks for being patient.
Danielle

[Desertthorn]

Re: Still confused about counting carbs!

I don't know about the UK, but I do know here in the US we subtract fiber from carbs to get net carbs. What I would do is if you have a particular label, list it so the folks can see it and they will tell you

[Zarabelle]

Re: Still confused about counting carbs!

Just to add to Ellizellen's point:

In the UK, the carb count listed on a food label is the net carb. Do not subtract the fibre figure as it has already been subtracted!

In America (and this is an American site), when you read the food label, you have to deduct the fibre to get the net carb count.

Zx

[msmum1977]

Re: Still confused about counting carbs!

I usually quick reference the carbs to buy products but count by the calories to avoid confusion and to check for hidden carbs when consuming.

1 gram protein = 4 calories
1 gram fat = 9 calories
1 gram carb = 4 calories

Therefore, if a serving says 49 calories with 4 grams of fat and 1 gram of protein, that equals (4 x 9) 36 + (1 x 4) 4 = 40. I always count back to the carbs as I understand this has the most ability to be 'hidden' in foods.

Subtract that from 49 = 9 calories/4 calories = ALMOST 2.5 grams carb. However, because many labels round DOWN, the carb may be stated on the label as 2 grams. I want to know if I'm consuming an extra 1/2 gram here and there. Call me a stickler!

Then, the fibre can be subtracted from my total to make the net carbs.