Inquiring Kathy wants to know? How do you count your carbs? Carbs vs Net Carbs

My opinion is that "net carbs" is a bunch of BS. I WAS THINKING N Atkins and never lost any weight during times when I was eating that alcohol sugar candy, even thought my total "net carbs" where under 20 grams.

Hi AggieMae,

We have all learned about those hidden ingredients that can affect us badly. I know better but even this far out I forgot to read the list and take my time before putting it in my mouth. I am sticking to counting carbs, for me personally that is what works.

The Bariatric center where I'm going, has us choose door number three- count Sugar. I asked "Dose sugar alcohol count as a sugar or nothing -like fiber?" she said "YES." I guess the debate is very robust over how we metabolize sugar alcohol, so basically I'll be counting all the carbs except fiber.

Thus the Atkins bar pictured here would be 10g of "carbs"

Even more important to consider is not just counting carbs, but consider if they are complex or simple carbs. You can eat more complex with less of a negative effect than simple carbs. So just counting the amount of grams is not so black and white. Complex carbs are broken down slowly keeping you satisfied for longer, similar to fiber. The simple are quickly digested and leave us wanting more shortly after. I am not one to count any grams of anything, however, I am very mindful of what I put into my body. Carbs are great, they are a huge source of energy for the body, just make sure you are taking in way more complex than simple.

Hi Josh,

Thanks for the input.....Since you work out and train you have researched this in detail I bet

I try to stay away from the "white" carbs but that being said I found if I ate the simple carbs a few hours later I would have a low blood sugar attack. Complex carbs all the way

I don't count carbs at all. I look for sugar in my foods (if it's not a whole food) and try to keep it to less than 3 grams. I just try to meet my protein goals each day and occasionally look at the carb numbers. They are always under 75 and usually under 50.