For those of you that do Low Carb, Do you figure the total carbs in a product or net carbs. I know that the net carbs= carbs - the Fiber & sugar alcohol, but I find if I eat something that has carbs but low net carbs, I don't get the low carb benefit. Like I am still craving carbs and don't seem to lose the weight the same as if I was doing total carbs. What do you think?

Thanks

Wendy

Both on Atkins and now that I try to watch carbs as a general guideline, I look at total carbs minus fiber. In other words, I don't subtract sugar alcohols, I count them in the carb total. For the same reason - seems like sugar alcohols can mess me up. Plus they don't do nice things to my digestive track.

We can't digest the fiber, and it doesn't add any ill effects, so I go ahead and subtract it.

I subtract fiber.... but the sugar alcohols always trigger more cravings, and they stall me out.

Sugar alcohols can also give some people really bad stomach pains, and funky poo.

I think each person has to try it out for themselves. I know some low carbers who can eat the sugar alcohols, subtract them and lose weight beautifully. Others, as mentioned here, get bad cravings triggered and stop losing weight.

I guess the answer is...your mileage may vary.

For me, I can eat the sugar alcohols and still lose weight, but if I eat too often, it does spin me out on cravings.