Net Carbs... fact or fiction?

zcheeze
zcheeze Posts: 25
in Food and Nutrition
Total Carbs - Fiber = Net Carbs

I've heard that some people use this formula and others consider it rubbish.

To me, at first it made sense. EX: eating whole wheat pasta is better for you, because you are getting fiber and not just eating a starch that turns into sugar.

But there seems to be quite a few conflicting opinions about this...

so now, I am confused.

Thoughts?

Replies

  • eazy_
    eazy_ Posts: 516 Member
    .
  • zcheeze
    zcheeze Posts: 25
    Ok, I guess that makes sense. I suppose if a person is in taking carbs at all it is better if they are fiber rich?

    I know our bodies use carbs for fuel... so perhaps the fiber content doesn't matter as much (in regards to carbs)?

    Also - I know cyclists who will bulk up on carbs for long rides, because they are going to need that fuel. If the carbs are exercised away, is there really a need for a low carb diet?
  • Skrib69
    Skrib69 Posts: 687 Member
    A la Atkins diet???i have always been anti Atkins because I know too many people who felt like crap on it, and put the weight back when they came off. IMO, it focuses too much on weight loss and not enough on permanent change to what we eat.
  • zcheeze
    zcheeze Posts: 25

    Carb loading isn't a good idea. It weighs you down, makes you slower... how fiber affects carb is absorption rate. Fiber slows down how fast the carbs break down and how long they take to get in to the blood. compare a candy bar to something like bread. The candy bar will get get broken down quicker and absorbed faster. It will have a larger effect on insulin compared to the bread. Notice how insulin was mentioned and the speed of it being increased. This is where the diabetic's come in and the fiber(what i mentioned earlier)

    Thx!
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    for weight loss, fiction.

    for people with insulin related issues, fact.

    I agree with this.

    On a related note, I resent having to add my own foods to the database because someone entered the "net carbs" instead of the actual amount of carbs for certain foods (tortillas, for example...) I think if you want to use the formula for insulin related issues, you should track total (correct) amount of carbs and fiber, then just do simple math.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Total Carbs - Fiber = Net Carbs

    It's an American thing.

    In the UK / EU Fibre is not considered part of carbohydrates so we measure both separately and report them on the label. This is different analytical and labelling practice to the US and Canada. (Wikipedia illustrates it)

    So a UK label's "carbohydrates" are effectively "net carbs" as above. Fibre is given a lower calorific value.

    Thereofre I can see a lot of sense in the thing in terms of calorie values, available / digested carbohydrates etc etc.
  • ktranth
    ktranth Posts: 1
    Hate to break this to you, but wheat bread can spike your insulin higher than candy bars because of the proteins accidentally introduced by hybridization. Check the glycemic index yourself, but wheat bread is on average 71-- table sugar is about 60.

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