Very Confused about Carb Counts...help!

[deidra1968]

Hi everyone, I would love anyone's advice,
....I have found that I am getting lots of conflicting net carb counts on different veggies, cheese etc.... I printed off the carb count list off Atkins website, and it can vary it's net carb amount by as much as 2 when compared to other reputable net carb lists, and even to the actual packages I buy.....what do you reccommend?? I was thinking the packages of the actual items I buy (even the radish counts are quite different) would be the most accurate for what I'm eating...what do you think?
thanks!

[not2late]

Re: Very Confused about Carb Counts...help!

If it's packaged, like a box of frozen green beans, I go by what the package says. As for the carb counts in various books, I err on the side of caution and I use the higher count. Here's why. I might measure the product correctly, so I might be eating more. Therefore, slightly overestimating something means I have some "wiggle room" and I know that I'm never over my daily carbs.

[cherribom1]

Re: Very Confused about Carb Counts...help!

Maybe try using fitday.com or dailyplate.com to give you an idea of carb/fat/protein counts and percentages of what your eating! I'm just really getting into fitday and enjoy the graphs and nutritional data based on my diet. Wish I woulda have used it from when I started 2 years ago!

[liv]

Re: Very Confused about Carb Counts...help!

I also use fitday to count the carbs for me. Nothing is going to be perfect when it comes to carb counting. Erring on the side of caution sounds like good advice to me.
Also though package labels are good most of the time, there can be inaccuracies when the serving size is very small. The label laws are such that the company is allowed to round down. So if something is under 1 the label may say zero carbs. Many people come here thinking cheese has no carbs but that is just the label being slightly inaccurate.

[carbless_in_seattle]

Re: Very Confused about Carb Counts...help!

use the labels on the food you're actually eating, they are the most accurate. For everything else that doesnt have a label, perhaps average the carb counters you have.