Net Carbs: What it Means

Annaruthus

I'm sure, like other people, the term "Net Carbs" is familiar, but slightly confusing. I mean I see that the companies with subtract the fiber from the total carbohydrate number, and come up with a lower number, which allows them to advertise their product as low carb. I needed to know where the logic came from though! So here it is.

Carbohydrates are made up of sugar, fiber, and starches (you don't usually see this one on the nutrition label). Only the sugar and starches actually affect your blood sugar levels, because sugars and starches get converted to glucose. Fiber does not get converted to glucose. It hangs out in your gastrointestinal tract, and keeps things running smoothly, if you know what I mean.

So net carbs is the amount of "available" (i.e. available for energy) carbohydrates. This is why eating high fiber foods helps with dieting. Fiber makes you feel fuller, because it still goes to your stomach, but it is not available to be converted to fat!

I hope this helps anyone who was confused. I was suspicious of these food lables, so I just had to make sure!

Annaruthus

bumping!

invictus8

Thanks! Good post.

bohonomad

Thanks! I had nooo clue what net carbs meant. Luckily I'm always over on my fiber.

AlabasterVerve

I think it's worth mentioning that when tested some (most?) of these low carb products don't work as advertised so if your are on a low carb diet because you have to watch your blood sugar be sure to check you sugar often after eating to be sure they're safe for you.

If you're not following a low carb diet out of necessity and you enjoy the low carb breads and pastas and they're working for you I don't see a reason to get rid of them but for myself I decided to avoid them largely because of these blog posts:

Some specific examples:
http://www.dietdoctor.com/category/food/fake-low-carb-products

jacksonpt

Honestly, it sounds like a sales scheme someone came up with to promote some new diet or food or whatever.

Carbs are carbs. Your body needs them. Eat them and be happy.


EDIT
I'm sorry... that came out wrong. Do they get broken down and abosrbed differently? Sure. Can they impact hunger/cravings and energy levels differently? Sure.

But for the average person who's on this site to lose weight and can't make head nor tales of all the info/recommendations flying around on this site, I think worrying about what type of carbs your eating is overkill.

acousticallyjazzed

Good info thanks for sharing

Annaruthus

I was just posting some thing I thought was interesting. I'm training for a fitness competition, and have to be aroung 13-14% body fat. So for someone like me, the types of carbs I ingest are extremely important. For someone looking to lose weight in a healthy way, this information can be beneficial as well. Eating simple carbs at particular times can be extremely beneficial. Like with a protein shake following a workout. The simple carbs break down faster than complex ones, and speed the protein to your muscles faster.

I do not advocate low carb diets myself, because your body does need carbohydrates. However, if you enjoy a low carb tortilla, may be you should understand why it is being advertised as such. I believe being educated about what you put in your body to be of the utmost importance.

Honestly, it sounds like a sales scheme someone came up with to promote some new diet or food or whatever.

Carbs are carbs. Your body needs them. Eat them and be happy.


EDIT
I'm sorry... that came out wrong. Do they get broken down and abosrbed differently? Sure. Can they impact hunger/cravings and energy levels differently? Sure.

But for the average person who's on this site to lose weight and can't make head nor tales of all the info/recommendations flying around on this site, I think worrying about what type of carbs your eating is overkill.