Carbs: Net or total? How do you count them?

OK have a good list! These will also help keep bowel movements more regular!

Sources of insoluble fiber: whole wheat, whole grains, wheat bran, corn bran, seeds (flax!), nuts (almonds, etc), barley, couscous, brown rice, bulgur, lentils, zucchini, celery, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, corn, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, dark leafy vegetables, raisins, grapes, dried fruits like dates and prunes, apples (eat the skin), and root vegetable skins. Also popcorn.

At the risk of sounding dumb, how do you track which type of  fiber it is? Is it listed that way on the package of food? I' using fitness pal but it doesn't break down fiber categories.

Thats not a dumb question. Some nutrition facts do break it down. Not sure if they all do though.

I never controlled overall carb numbers, as there are a lot of other more important things to worry about (fiber being one of them,) though I did have certain minimum levels that applied at times.

I count total carbs. My doctor said you really have no way to tell how your body will react to how much of the fiber so why chance it.

Look at an Atkins bar. One might be 22g/carbs but on the box it says in huge letters "only 4g net carbs" then there will be like 12g fiber. I mean, ok, but is that something you want to put into your body at this stage ?

During WL I counted all carbs. As I said in my earlier post today, I was taught a carb is a carb. Going that route got me to goal fairly quickly, so I don't regret it. Now in maintenance, I am trying to refine my diet and eating cardboard as Ruggie calls it piqued my curiosity since the numbers didn't add up.

I want to eat the cardboard for all the reasons Ruggie cited. It is a healthy way to eat, but I still need to watch carbs because I am easily triggered by the wrong carbs or too many carbs. I'm searching for my balance.

I am now debating how to continue with the carb counting. I am tempted to start doing net carbs, but only subtracting the insoluble fiber carbs - not the soluble or sugar alcohols. I'll see how it goes.

Great post and great reply to mine earlier. Thanks!

First Thank for putting so much great info in your post!

I would say first there are three ways;

1. A carb is a carb, is a carb
2. Carbs - Fiber = Net(a)
3. Carbs - Fiber - Sugar Alcohols = Net(b)

I count the middle of the road.  I did Atkins when #1 and did New Atkins when #3.  I found I did best when I did number 2.  I understand the science behind number 3.  But, I got in trouble real fast when I did count and  and sugar alcohols.  Most likely for the reasons you stated.  My luck, I was picking all readily available

Also many don't have the 20-40 grams of carb requirements.  My Nut is anti low carb.  She even called the therapist to task for instructing client to stay under 60.  But, she has taken over our Cognitive behavior classes!

Here is my actual point on this subject..........

Personally...... early on I tried to understand it..... few things were clear cut and I to read the Atkins Bar and couldn't believe that something with 22 carbs had a net carb count of two. I was already overwhelmed trying to keep it together and do this thing right. It was just easier not to think about it and call a carb a carb.

In my simple mind I just thought of it as an "equalizer" of sort....... it helped me feel better about all the "hidden" carbs I was probably taking in.....

On fiber and carbs..... I eat vegetables without worry of carbs for the fiber.... not starchy corn like veggies, but vegetables like  broccoli, asparagus, green beans, leafy greens.....

If you can truly get a good grasp on the net carb thing...... It's a good thing..... If your not sure.....I'd leave it alone and keep it for a maintenance tool......

frisco

I let my body sort it out.  I try to stay below 60 gross carbs, but choose food that is high in fiber.  Both kinds are good for you.  I have a sneaky suspicion that foods that have fiber added don't do the same good things for you that foods that are naturally high in fiber do.

A book I recently read, "Fat Chance" seems to go along with my theory.  I don't like frankenfoods anyway, so it isn't a hard choice for me to avoid them.

I count a carb as a carb. I do between 30-50 per day (usually right at 40). I try to use my best judgment. Carbs in one cookie could be the same as my cottage cheese and fiber powder mixture in the morning, but they sure as hell aren't equal, you know?

I'm not convinced that the fiber cereals are much better... of course, I don't drink milk so... LOL! I just count them all and use my head and go on with my life.