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What are your thoughts on net carbs?

rotnkat
rotnkat Posts: 393 Member
edited January 26 in Social Groups
I try to keep my carbs between 50 - 70 grams per day and don't worry about the net carb thing.

So I was curious as to what everyone else is doing: Are you counting whole carbs or are you doing the net carb thing?

Thanks,
Anita

Replies

  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    For my body, a carb is a carb. I try to keep total carbs below 20 grams per day. I don't seem to get any positive benefit from fibre, so I don't care if I get much. I did have my carbs a little higher awhile ago, but it was not working for me. I guess it will take years for my metabolism to recover from eating all those "healthy" grains, sugars and refined seed oils.
  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Posts: 923 Member
    I have begun doing paleo and I am a diabetic. I only count the carbs right now because my carb count is far lower than a standard diabetic diet. When doing a standard plan, I use the net carbs.
  • meghanner
    meghanner Posts: 180 Member
    I think it's 6 to one half dozen to the other. Mark Sisson says to count all carbs. I usually get around 20-30g of fiber a day and my total carbs are between 65-80. I think the key is keeping sugars below 25g/day, which can easily accumulate from veggies and the occasional fruit.
  • shar140
    shar140 Posts: 1,158 Member
    Total carbs seem to make more of a difference for me personally, plus there's less math involved. ;)
  • rotnkat
    rotnkat Posts: 393 Member
    Total carbs seem to make more of a difference for me personally, plus there's less math involved. ;)

    Yeah that's how I feel too!!!!! :drinker:
  • monkeydharma
    monkeydharma Posts: 599 Member
    I guess it depends on what you are trying to do with the carbs.

    The Atkins crowd came up with the concept of net carbs so that their 'no carb' approach would seem more successful. Since fiber carbs are not digestible - and thus have no appreciable calories - they could be ignored/eliminated.

    In primal/paleo, however, the avoidance of grain carbs has more to do with insulin, inflammation, and anti-nutrients rather than weight loss. While fiber carbs have no calories, they still have a role in the problems listed - so they should be included.

    While I do pay attention to the amount of fiber I'm getting, I still use overall carbs as my touchstone.
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