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net carbs / total carbs?

queen_janine
queen_janine Posts: 7 Member
edited December 2 in Social Groups
I have been trying to stay under 50 carbs a day. I'm trying to learn have less meat because I am uncomfortable with relying on it for low carbs especially because I'm not getting enough fiber according to the MFP recommendeds. If I am eating whole grains and beans do you know if I subtract the fiber from total carbs is that a fair way to know how many carbs I've had?

There must be a thread here on this subject?

Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    For net carbs, subtract fiber from total carbs (using U.S. nutrition labels).

    Also, there is some disagreement about how much for this, but I subtract 50% of sugar alcohols. When you look at some packaging (Quest bars, for example), they subtract all fiber and all sugar alcohols when they advertise the net carbs. This isn't the official nutrition facts, of course... but if you actually did flip over the bar and look at the nutrition facts, you would notice how this is calculated. I don't believe it is fair to say that we don't digest any sugar alcohols, but I can acknowledge that we don't digest all. I go with 50% to try to come to a fair estimate.
  • queen_janine
    queen_janine Posts: 7 Member
    Thanks, that makes it easier because of it was total carbs I'd be way high every single day.
  • anglyn1
    anglyn1 Posts: 1,802 Member
    Total versus net is basically down to individual preference. There are strong arguments on each side. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10057456/so-which-is-it-total-carbs-or-net-carbs

    There is also a good bit of debate on whether you need the recommended amounts of fiber. I have found I feel better with much less and I don't have any of the symptoms normally associated with low fiber.
  • anglyn1
    anglyn1 Posts: 1,802 Member
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3435786/
  • Panda_Poptarts
    Panda_Poptarts Posts: 971 Member
    To add to the above, I'd pay close attention to how you feel. I find my blood sugar is lower than I'd like on total carbs, and I don't feel nearly as good as I do on net. I think it's a personal choice one way or another.
  • KarlaYP
    KarlaYP Posts: 4,436 Member
    I have done the net carbs (subtracting any fiber I happen to get from the total, mentally). That being said it don't normally get much fiber, and feel best without it. No bathroom issues! In fact, that's better than its ever been! I have been adding back some veggies, and fruit (berries) to my woe the last week, (experimenting with maintenance levels!) and haven't experienced any negative bathroom time, as I did the last time I tried to add them.

    Find what works for you, and commit yourself to it! You can do this!
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    I am another that used to be so concerned about getting fiber back in my IBS days. I've discovered that fiber is in fact what causes me digestive backups and bloating. Now I try to get as little as possible and it's how I feel best.
    I definitely wouldn't target some arbitrary number from MFP as goal even if I did want to include fiber though.
  • jetsamflotsam
    jetsamflotsam Posts: 170 Member
    I do 50 net carbs. Been losing very slowly and would likely lose faster if I lowered them, but... Is what it is... I may yet! I usually get about half the MFP Rec fibre and I'm not constipated...
  • kirkor
    kirkor Posts: 2,530 Member
    queen_janine wrote: »
    ... especially because I'm not getting enough fiber according to the MFP recommendeds.

    Not applicable on a low carb diet, and possibly not applicable even on SAD.

    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/fiber/
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