Carbs vs. Net Carbs

ycneger
ycneger Posts: 2
in Health and Weight Loss
Please this is NOT a low carb discussion so don't go there!

I eat a fair amount of high fiber foods which from my understanding offsets some of the carbs. Should this be considered in:

1) my macros
2) my total calorie intake (assuming 4 calories per carb gram)

For instance if one has a slice of whole multi grain bread (this is hypothetical...numbers are made up). The calories are 100 and there are 20 grams of carbs and 10 grams of fiber.

Have I consumed 20 carbs or 10 carb? My understanding, which may be faulty is that a gram of fiber offsets a gram of carb....ie renders it no effect.

If so...I have actually consumed 60 calories as opposed to 100 calories? (10 grams fiber reduces 10 grams carb means reduction of 40 calories)

Thoughts?

Kim

Replies

  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    I think the net v. Regular is for effect on bold sugar and ketones, I may be over simplifying or plain wrong, though. However, having a fiber content doesn't miraculously negate calories either. If it's 100 calories, it's 100 calories, not only 60 because the fiber takes away carbs, that's just not how it works.
  • christineellis
    christineellis Posts: 296 Member
    If it's 100 calories, it's 100 calories, not only 60 because the fiber takes away carbs, that's just not how it works.

    I would agree with this. The main thing about net carbs is looking to control your blood sugar, so you don't count the fiber carbs in your overall macros. However, some people also take this approach with sugar alcohol and I don't think that is the right approach for everyone. The sugar alcohols still affect me like any other carb...
  • ycneger
    ycneger Posts: 2
    Thanks...that was generally my take also. A calorie is a calorie and must still be burned.
  • pooncho
    pooncho Posts: 1
    You're all correct. Fiber doesn't count as calories because the body can't digest them. But that's taken into account when you look at the food labels. IOW, if you see 100 calories in a serving of whatever, it's already counting the net carbs, rather than the fiber.

    However, there are reasons to be aware of net carbs. My doctor just told me to keep my net carbs at or below 100g/day in order to lower my triglyceride levels. But I can't seem to see any way to track that in myfitnesspal. Any suggestions on how I can find that? Or will I just need to find a different app?
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    20 grams of carbs and 10 grams of fiber.

    Have I consumed 20 carbs or 10 carb?
    10
  • MermaidTX
    MermaidTX Posts: 352 Member
    You're all correct. Fiber doesn't count as calories because the body can't digest them. But that's taken into account when you look at the food labels. IOW, if you see 100 calories in a serving of whatever, it's already counting the net carbs, rather than the fiber.

    However, there are reasons to be aware of net carbs. My doctor just told me to keep my net carbs at or below 100g/day in order to lower my triglyceride levels. But I can't seem to see any way to track that in myfitnesspal. Any suggestions on how I can find that? Or will I just need to find a different app?

    Add a column for Fiber, or change one that's there (Sugar, Sodium, etc).

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