Question Regarding Carbs vs Sugar

Can someone explain to me the difference on foods labels between carbs and sugar numbers?  I know sugar is part of the carbohydrates, but the numbers are so different!  I can find something that has 15 grams of protein, 3 grams of sugar, and 20 carbohydrates, for example....I have been told that as long as the "sugar" content is less than 10 and the "protein" content is higher than ten, that it is probably safe to eat post-op (once you are far enough in to be eating solid foods).  Sometimes the sugar number is low or even zero, but the carb number is still kind of high.  So I am confused...are we supposed to look at the "sugar" number, or the "carb" number?  Or both?

Thanks for your help, Cali!

Meleani

watch for "tols" also. These are your alcohol sugars, Too many of these are not good either, one thing, they do produce peel the paint gas. Carbs you need to figure out where they are coming from, are they good ones or are they bad ones. You need carbs to help with brain functions.  This might help you also, this can become confusing but after much practice it becomes second nature. Hope I didn't make this worse for you.  www.briancalkins.com/simplevscomplexcarb.htm

Glycol (2-carbon) Glycerol (3-carbon) Erythritol (4-carbon) Threitol ( " )

Arabitol (5-carbon) Xylitol ( " ) Ribitol ( " )

Mannitol (6-carbon) Sorbitol ( " ) Dulcitol ( " ) Iditol ( " )

Isomalt Maltitol Lactitol Polyglycitol

Darlene - Thank you for the detailed list/guidelines -- this is still a bit confusing, but helps alot!  I will check out the website you recommended as well!  Appreciate the help! 

--Meleani

Aloha- This might help:

http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/carbohydrate-basics-ga.htm

You should be more concerned with sugars (simple carbs) and you can subtract fiber carbs from the total carb number as they have little impact on blood sugar. Not sure what your guidelines are- with my VSG we were told to keep carbs less than 40g/day during the losing phase. I count protein and only watch sugars- no room for anything else if I get my protein in. XOLori

My doctor always told me, as long as there was more protein than carbs that would be an easy way to watch what you are eating.  I try not to get something that has 15 proteins and 14 carbs, I always try to eat alot less than that, but I really try hard to keep the sugar as low as possible.  Having been diabetic for a long time, I just got used to not having alot of sugar.

Good luck....Diane

Diane - Thank you for your suggestions as well...this all really helps alot!  Thank goodness for computers and Boards!  Can you imagine how we would all do this without this kind of support and help system?  Blessings to you!

Meleani 

Lori - Thank you for your suggestions!  I'll check out the website for sure!  Congrats on your obvious success with your weight loss!  Hope I am just as successful!

--Meleani 

You bet, Meleani ( LOVE your name!) - if you pm me with your email address, I will forward some good handouts from a nutrition class I attended that has lists of High Glycemic Index vs Low Glycemic Index foods- helps avoid those High GI carbs that spike your blood sugar fast ( which results in an insulin spike, dropping your blood sugar, resulting in lower blood sugar resulting in- CARB CRAVING!). Best of luck! XOLori

Hi again Lori -- I am not sure what "PM" stands for?  This whole "board" thing and posting is so new to me!  But here is my email address and thank you so much!

[email protected]