Question about counting carbs???

[JackieMack]

Hi all! I'm new to Atkins WOE, this is my second week of Induction. I've been reading the labels on everything I buy and, although I have read the DANDR book, I'm a little confused over the carbs I should be counting.

For example, today I bought a chicken, bacon and mushroom deli filler which sounds ideal for Induction, it reads:


Per 100g

Fat - 34.0g
Protein - 13.4g
Carbohydrate - 2.1g (of which sugars - 0.7g)

Do I count the 2.1g or do I count the 0.7g for the carbs???

Thanks in advance.
Jackie

[Atkid]

Re: Question about counting carbs???

You would count the 2.1 carbs minus any fiber that is listed on the label.

[Chris]

Re: Question about counting carbs???

I'm sorry, Atkid, but please excuse my correction. In the UK (and, Ireland, as well, I would imagine) the fiber has already been substracted from the carb count. So, regardless of the fiber, the 2.1 carbs should be counted.

[Lyssie]

Re: Question about counting carbs???

That's interesting info to know that they change the way of counting. Hrm.

[Chris]

Re: Question about counting carbs???

That's interesting info to know that they change the way of counting. Hrm.

Actually, I think they just don't consider fiber to be carbohydrates, so they list them separately.

We've had some members from the UK get in a little trouble over that, because they would go by what they were reading here, and subtract the fiber from the carbs, even though they hadn't been included, to begin with. With high fiber foods, that could really throw off your carb totals for the day!

[Lyssie]

Re: Question about counting carbs???

Well, I'll be sure to keep this in mind for my next (ie. first) overseas trip. Actually, the thing that I found to be interesting is that Europe doesn't consider fiber a carb, where the US would... so does that mean that they're believing the Atkins way of counting carbs is the way that you're supposed to? In which case, does that mean that they believe Atkins is right on everything? You know, since Europe approves better drugs faster than the US, I figure they must know more than us...

[JackieMack]

Re: Question about counting carbs???

Thanks for clearing that up for me! Yes, it was the 'subtract the fibre' thing being mentioned in the book that confused me, at least now I know what I should be counting.

Yes Chris, you're correct, in the UK and Ireland they list fibre separately, on this particular deli filler it is listed further down the list as 1.5g per 100g.

Thanks again folks,
Jackie

[Chris]

Re: Question about counting carbs???

In which case, does that mean that they believe Atkins is right on everything? You know, since Europe approves better drugs faster than the US, I figure they must know more than us...

Surprisingly, Lyssie, England has been one of the most anti-Atkins countries from which we've had members on this board. We actually have had members, there, who were not allowed to buy ketostix in the pharmacies, because the pharmacist (chemist, I believe they say) believed that Atkins was a very dangerous way of eating.

I'm sure Rich could tell us some interesting stories.

[Lyssie]

Re: Question about counting carbs???

Oooooooooooooooohhhh.. I remember his posts about this actually cause I thought it was psychotic.

They could be coming to their senses and trying to be wrong without having to actually admit it..? I'm trying to see the glass half-full here yanno!!

[Atkid]

Re: Question about counting carbs???

I'm sorry, Atkid, but please excuse my correction. In the UK (and, Ireland, as well, I would imagine) the fiber has already been substracted from the carb count. So, regardless of the fiber, the 2.1 carbs should be counted.

My bad, I knew this but didn't take the time to see that she was out of the USA. We also have imported items here in the states that you have to look at also, I was just going by the general rule.

[Chris]

Re: Question about counting carbs???

My bad, I knew this but didn't take the time to see that she was out of the USA. We also have imported items here in the states that you have to look at also, I was just going by the general rule.

No problem -- hey, I've been around here for a very long time, so when folks ask about counting carbs, I've learned to always look for their location before telling them to subtract the fiber count.

Of course, here in the States, you are exactly right. Now, if you can explain why the FDA considers undigestible fiber to be carbohydrates, then you'll go straight to the front of the class. (I certainly don't understand it!)