Net Carbs are Scary to Me

[ypsi850]

So, I had my first item tonight that differentiated between carbs and net carbs. (Or well, I guess I had my first food labeled as a low-carb food.) I ate one of the Breyer's CarbSmart ice cream sandwiches with 5g net carbs (10 total carbs).

They're at: http://xrl.us/gkhc

The thing is, I keep having a mental block over whether to count it as 5 or 10. It just feels weird to subtract sugar alcohols.

Does anyone have experience with low-carb products and net carbs, etc.?

[tickletussler]

Hi,

there are so many views about sugar alcohols.

Thing is we are all affected differently by sugar alcohols. For some it makes them stall, for others like me it doesn't matter.

So really, what you need to find out is how do sugar alcohols AFFECT YOU? Do they make you stall or cause extra cravings? If so, then you have to count the carbs on sugar alchohols as part of your total carbs (ie not subtract them). If not, then you can subtract them go get your net carbs.

[ditien]

Oh my this is vital information i just saw abar with 30 g carbs, 1g fibre, 27g sugar alcohols and it said 2g net carb and i thought they were trying to con me the minute i see sugar in anything i tend to put it down.
Now ill have to try out the bars see their effect. Can i ask do you use the bars and when did u start using them. I love sweet things so im scared ill start my addiction again

[Isabeau]

Hi,

there are so many views about sugar alcohols.

Thing is we are all affected differently by sugar alcohols. For some it makes them stall, for others like me it doesn't matter.

So really, what you need to find out is how do sugar alcohols AFFECT YOU? Do they make you stall or cause extra cravings? If so, then you have to count the carbs on sugar alchohols as part of your total carbs (ie not subtract them). If not, then you can subtract them go get your net carbs.

I totally agree with tickle. Some people do not subtract the sugar alcohol from the total carb count, some do. See how they effect you in terms of weight loss AND gastro-intestinally. Good luck!

[Elizellen]

I read here (I think) that if they affect you you can deduct the sugar alcohols because you aren't digesting them but if you feel fine after eating them you should count them all as your body is absorbing them!!

[BreakfastSurreal]

I read here (I think) that if they affect you you can deduct the sugar alcohols because you aren't digesting them but if you feel fine after eating them you should count them all as your body is absorbing them!!

haha...reminds me of the low carb cheesecake i ate at TGI fridays...I actually thought that the chicken I had upset my stomach, but after reading about those darn sugar alcohols it made more sense that it was the cheesecake...Just make sure you are at home for an hour or 2 after you eat them, and that you have plenty of toilet paper on hand!

[tickletussler]

And as an after-thought... I keep those bars around the house if I ever need a sweet hit in a big hurry - it helps stop me from going for real chocolate. Thank goodness I rarely need them, and besides, at the end of the day, if you can stay away from Atkins products and bars and eat more natural foods as possible, then I think you'll benefit the most in the long run

(Remember, Atkins products are all "man-made" or chemically-enhanced, so it's better to try and get your nutrients from more natural foods like berries & fruits if you can)