ATKINS DIET PLAN
NET CARBS
Most all food manufacturers are focusing on
advertising the "Net Carbs" of foods. But what is Net
Carbs and why is it important? Not all foods are
converted to blood sugar and therefore to do not contribute
to blood glucose levels. These are considered non
impact carbs. The non impact carbs are fiber and sugar
alcohols. Therefore, you subtract the fiber and sugar
alcohol carbs from the total carbohydrate to get the total
Net Carbs. For example, suppose you had eaten a candy
bar and some fiber rich crackers. Both have 15 grams of
carbohydrates. The crackers also have 5 grams of fiber
while the candy bar has no fiber. The net carbs for the
candy bar would be 15 while the net carbs for the crackers
would be 10.
Buyer Beware
There is a catch 22 here. You have
to be careful when you analyze net carbs. There have
been several tests of products whose claims have not lived up
to actual testing. NBC recently tested several products
and many came in over the amount listed on the package or
advertisement. This included the Subway chain.
The Atkins food products all tested at or lower than the
advertised carb count.
Key Points of
ATKINS NET CARBS
Try to always select diet foods high in protein
and fiber. Most low carb foods now list the net
carbs on the package. Remember that the net carb
impact is what is important. Finally, remember that
the impact is for each serving, not the entire package.
1. Low carb diets are based on the premise that certain
carbohydrates contribute to blood glucose levels, while
other carbohydrates do not.
2. Low carb diets consider certain carbs such as fiber and
sugar alcohol non impact carbs. Non impact carbs are
carbs that you cannot metabolize or use so they do not
count as net carbs.
3. Net carbs are calculated by taking total carbohydrate
grams and subtracting fiber and sugar alcohol grams. The
remaining carb grams are considered a given products net
impact carbs.
4. Purchase a carbohydrate gram counter such as the Dr.
Atkins Carbohydrate Counter to accurately keep track of
your carb usage.
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