Another thing I learned from Atkins

[coachbarbe]

Actually I came to this conclusion through the many questions and advices I have recieved from Atkinsgal08-

Just because something says 0 net carbs on the packet does not make it legal for all phases. For example, I went to buy more spicy pork rinds, but they didn't have the same brand I bought the other ones all said 0 net carbs, but the ingredients listed sugar, dextrose, and corn syrup. Those all illegal! The lesson I have learned, is that even if the package says low carb, and the back has a low carb count, It is not necessarily allowed.

[bizzlekitty]

Re: Another thing I learned from Atkins

Oh so true! Anything that has artificial sweeteners also has net carbs that we need to count. This is why reading labels is so important before you buy food, and to be suspicious of anything you get at a restaurant or at someone else's house.

I really avoid any "snack" foods that are like the real thing, low carb products, pork rinds, etc. It's helped me beat the cravings and make sure I'm eating more of the healthy foods the body needs. My "treats" nowadays are almonds and berries with cream. They taste alot better than any of those fake foods!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Another thing I learned from Atkins

Actually I came to this conclusion through the many questions and advices I have recieved from Atkinsgal08-

Just because something says 0 net carbs on the packet does not make it legal for all phases. For example, I went to buy more spicy pork rinds, but they didn't have the same brand I bought the other ones all said 0 net carbs, but the ingredients listed sugar, dextrose, and corn syrup. Those all illegal! The lesson I have learned, is that even if the package says low carb, and the back has a low carb count, It is not necessarily allowed.

Bingo!

Yes, the nutritional label (in the US) is allowed to "round" ... and almost anything can be 0 if the serving size is small enough.

The truth is in the list of ingredients ...

[AuroraLaura]

Re: Another thing I learned from Atkins

This sucks!! I was powering through my bag of pork rinds while looking through these posts and saw the comment about dextrose..... looked at my bag and Dang, it DOES have dextrose in it! WHY do they have to put these things in food? Makes me MAD! Does anyone know which brand has NO dextrose? Grumble grumble grumble......

[liv]

Re: Another thing I learned from Atkins

The plain pork rinds usually come with just salt. You can spice them up yourself if you like.
But yeah always read the label and things that ends with -ose should make you look twice (unless it is sucralose - which is splenda)

[PzNQz]

Re: Another thing I learned from Atkins

A lot of flavoured items (or reduced fat) also have MSG in them. Don't know if that's illegal for Atkins or not, but its just plain BAD for you! I personally LOVE Pork Rinds... just a few for dipping or to curb a craving, but only buy the PLAIN type. Always check your labels! Shopping takes a lot longer these days! *L*

[not2late]

Re: Another thing I learned from Atkins

About 3 or 4 years ago when the low carb craze was at its height, there was a "low carb" salad dressing marketed by Litehouse. It was about 2 fluid ounces less and $1.50 more than the regular version. Out of curiosity, I picked up the bottle and started reading the ingredients. Then I compared the regular salad dressing. Guess what? They contained the same ingredients and had the same nutritional profile.

So read, read, read, READ those labels including the ingredients and compare them with other similar products.

Don't take anything for granted because over the years, I've noticed that manufacturers change ingredients/nutritional data of some of their products. For example, Nature's Own Double Fiber Bread used to be 5 net carbs per slice (I have it documented in my custom food thing at fitday.) I seldom buy it because wheat makes me wheeze. About 1-2 years ago, I read the label on a loaf and it was 7 net carbs per slice.

[stephinextremis]

Re: Another thing I learned from Atkins

It's a hard lesson for all of us to learn...but reading the book and READING THOSE LABELS is key! I'm the crazy lady who stands in the aisle reading labels for twenty different brands of salad dressing just to make sure it's not going to derail me. You're doing yourself such a favor by getting into the habit now. Only we control what we consume

Stephanie