When you say 40 or less carbs........

Is that all carbs or usable carbs?????? So confused.

What do you mean by usable carbs?

It means you subtract the fiber from the total carbs and whatever is left is the usable carbs.

I always subtract fiber and sugar alcohols to get my carb total at 40/or less per day.  I have been told this was an acceptable way of counting carbs for years.  This includes diabetes classes as well as multiple dietitians/NUTS.  Good luck!

All carbs!  Each and every one.  But it's up to you what you (and your doctor) what sort of plan you choose to follow.  The very low carbs has worked for me, but others have done well on higher carb plans.

Good luck!!

All carbs. I didn't have the time nor the energy to count "net carbs". For me, my body would burn any carbs I put in there. So, it's just what worked for me. I even counted the carbs in my chewable multivitamin.

Todays newsletter for Bariatric choice had this artical.  Great timing Huh?

THE TRUTH ABOUT CARBS
You need to know how to dissect the information in the carbohydrate section of a nutritional label. When looking at the carbs, subtract out any fiber, sugar, and sugar alcohol. This number will give you the total amount of starch in the product. Starch has been known to raise blood sugar level as much or more than sugar. If you exercise regularly, you shouldn't worry as much because you will need a good amount of carbs to sustain your energy. Carbs are not evil but too many, with little to no exercise, can result in weight gain and fatigue.

LOL....love that last line.....and this is total mainstream medical BS.  I know a competitive marathon runner who hasn't eaten over 20g carbs a day in over a decade.  It is a myth that you NEED carbs to exercise.  Hell its a myth that you need carbs period. 

In fact, there are essential fatty acids and essential amino acids (protein) but there are no essential carbs.

That said, it's hard to eat NO carb and there is no advantage to it. You'd have to eat nothing but meat and eggs. Even dairy and veggies have carbs.

I'm an endurance athlete and, except for when I'm actually out there doing endurance type stuff, I keep my carbs low. Even adding in the sports drinks, gels, etc. I still keep them under 200 g a day on average. And almost all my sports food has *some* amino acids in it. They help with performance.

Thanks everyone!