I feel like this is a stupid question

[michigander]

But I just have to ask anyway - do you lose carbs when you cook vegetables? No, not like the carb fairy who comes and steals the calories out of birthday cakes! JK! LOL! Although I understand that 1 cup of raw broccoli turns into about 1/4 cup of stir fried broccoli, so there isn't as much bulk - but are there any less carbs from the cooking process?

[Sherri]

Re: I feel like this is a stupid question

But I just have to ask anyway - do you lose carbs when you cook vegetables? No, not like the carb fairy who comes and steals the calories out of birthday cakes! JK! LOL! Although I understand that 1 cup of raw broccoli turns into about 1/4 cup of stir fried broccoli, so there isn't as much bulk - but are there any less carbs from the cooking process?

That is an excellent question!
1/2 cup raw cauliflower for instance is 1.4 net carbs. Same amount steamed has 0.9 net carbs. Though, 1/2 cup green shredded cabbage raw has 1.1 net carbs, when it's steamed has 1.6 net carbs. So you see, it depends on the veggetables. I first recognized this when I bought my Dr. Atkins Carbohydrate gram counter a few years ago. I always refer to it for an accurate carb count.
Hope this helps,
Sherri

[michigander]

Re: I feel like this is a stupid question

Thank you!!! It's not a huge carb difference, but it does vary. Good to know!

[stephbob]

Re: I feel like this is a stupid question

I was going to say it depends on how you cook it, but steaming it with no cooking aid shouldn't really ADD carbs lol.

It's a mystery!

[brandywine1241]

Re: I feel like this is a stupid question

I don't think any carbs are lost by cooking. You guys are probably going to say I have too much time on my hands, but I have done a little research on this problem. My source is the USDA Nutrient Database.
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Let's look at cauliflower: According to the above reference,

1/2 c of raw cauliflower weighs 50 grams (about 1.75 oz) and contains 1.45 net carbs.
1/2 c of cooked cauliflower weighs 62 grams and contains 1.15 net carbs.
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Now let's look at cabbage:

1/2 c of raw shredded cabbage weighs 35 grams and contains 1.94 net carbs.

1/2 c of cooked shredded cabbage weighs 75 grams and contains 2.73 net carbs.
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Why the difference? I think the cooked cauliflower has absorbed a little bit of water and swelled up some; therefore if you measure 1/2 c after it is cooked, you will get slightly less veggie, therefore less carbs. The cabbage, on the other hand, may absorb some water but it collapses big time. Therefore when you measure 1/2 cup after cooking, you are getting a lot more veggie.

IMHO, you are much more likely to err in your carb count by measuring rather than weighing any food that is not liquid. The size of the pieces, how full you fill the cup, etc are likely to give you a different amount each time you measure 1/2 cup of something.

Sorry about all the gram weights, but that's what scientists use and I was too lazy to convert all of them to ounces.

[MrsBrittney]

Re: I feel like this is a stupid question

WOW! Stephbob, you and I are almost identical measurements lol