Question about Carbs!

[Itsall4me]

Ok..so I have been on the Atkins diet since last Monday...soon approaching my two week induction graduation! Yippee ! I am learning so much about counting carbs but I am confused about something and hope that you all might help. What is the difference between "NET CARBS" and the Carb Count on the label? For instance...An Atkins Chocolate Coconut Bar says "only 3g net carbs" but on the back of the box on the label it reads Total Carbohydrate 19g? Thanks
Gina

[chinadoll]

Re: Question about Carbs!

Hi Gina, glad you are doing so well.

The bulk of the carbs in the bar come from sugar alcohols which you can omit from you counts (technically speaking) since alcohol is metabolized differently from sugar.

However, be forewarned that the bars are not allowed on Induction according to the 2002 DANDR which we go by here. The Atkins corp. is more interested in selling the bars than following the Dr's advice. Many people find the bars slow/stop their weight loss so we don't advocate them or the idea of feeding your sweet tooth so early on in your journey.

[Georgiana]

Re: Question about Carbs!

Ok..so I have been on the Atkins diet since last Monday...soon approaching my two week induction graduation! Yippee ! I am learning so much about counting carbs but I am confused about something and hope that you all might help. What is the difference between "NET CARBS" and the Carb Count on the label? For instance...An Atkins Chocolate Coconut Bar says "only 3g net carbs" but on the back of the box on the label it reads Total Carbohydrate 19g? Thanks
Gina

I don't think we've "met" in other threads, so welcome to ADBB!

On Atkins we are counting net carbs. Net carbs are total carbs (the ones listed to the right of "Carbohydrate" on the label) minus dietary fiber and, technically, minus sugar alcohols. Dietary fiber is, by definition, not digestible and thus does not have to be counted towards our daily carb intake. Sugar alcohols affect people differently. Some of us get to spend a day and night in the bathroom after eating something sweetened with them, others need to count them as net carbs because they are metabolizing them... while others are in between, so they get nasty bathroom issues + part of the carbs (joy!).

There is a more detailed explanation in this thread: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...l-reading.html

And as Jill already told you, no bars, especially during Induction.

[Itsall4me]

Re: Question about Carbs!

Thanks Jill and Georgiana...very useful information...after I posted I noticed a few threads which addressed this issue and read through them thoroughly. I'll remember to do that before posting again! I forgot all about "archives"!!! LOL...Now doesn't that sound like something to eat?!!!! LOL...Ok..maybe I'm just subconciously thinking EVERYTHING sounds like something to eat...I do know the bars are not "legal" during induction, I am just trying to get a good understanding of the counting carbs. The right way so to speak...again...thank you...I began this journey last Monday weighing in at 212...I know you are not supposed to weigh yourself however I had a doctors appt on this past Tuesday so NO CHOICE! Doc always wants a weigh in! ;( ...Needless to say after 8 days on the diet I weighed 199...so I know I'm following all the rules! I'm extremely happy but most importantly I FEEL BETTER! Thank you all for your support and may I congratulate you all on your efforts and losses as well. Have a wonderful day!
Gina

[Georgiana]

Re: Question about Carbs!

Wow! 13 lbs already?! Good for you, Gina!