Net Carbs vs. Net Effective Carbs - Marketing Hype

In the next video of the "How to" Atkins low carb videos, I discuss the issue of "net carbs" vs. "net impact carbs" (or "net effective carbs"). Net impact carbs is found throughout the marketplace as vendors are lobbying for the low carb market. I define net carbs as strictly as possible for me, which is grams of Total Carbohydrates minus grams of Fiber. The marketers would rather have you believe that the Sugar Alcohols do not count.

The reality is that they do count in more ways than one. Not only do they count from 25-75% as much Sugar, they also have some pretty negative side effects. They have been shown to cause both gas and diarhea in a number of people. This is due to them not being digested before the large intestines, which leads to the bloating. You might be among the fortunate few that are not as gastric affected by sugar alcohols. Your brain might hamper your weight loss efforts with a cephalic insulin reaction.

Thanks for all your comments and subscriptions. Here are some relevent links:
# http://www.mendosa.com/netcarbs.htm
# http://health.howstuffworks.com/lo-carbing3.htm
# http://thelanguageguy.blogspot.com/2006/04/great-net-carbs-scam.html
# http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/betteru35.htm
# http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean/products.htm
# http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6731

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Atkins
• Diet
• Weightloss
• Low
• Carb
• Sugar
• Alcohols
• Fitness

[cantosis2007]

Interesting video, I agree that you should not eat them on induction and if you want to start having things like low carb bars just have 2 or 3 a week when you get those bad sugar cravings.

Just out of interest do you eat things like the advantage bars bowulf ?

[bowulf]

@cantosis2007 No, bars and shakes were something I never or have never gotten into purchasing. I was given a few for free few years ago, but those were the only ones I have ever eaten. I was never much of chocolate person, so they had no desire for me.

I'd go along with your assessment too. After Induction, if you can lose and eat 2-3 a week for convenience sake or just because they taste good, I'd say go right ahead.

[PibbXtra08]

one of the advantage bars said

-22 carbs

-10 fiber

-1 sugar

-0 sugar alcohols

but it says only 2 net carbs how is this? was it misprinted and should say 10 sugar alcohols? because it says 0 sugar alcohols

[bowulf]

@PibbXtra08 It's because they are using net impact carbs and claiming glycerin or things like oligofructose don't affect blood sugar, and therefore don't count against your net carb count. I disagree with that philosophy and would still count all carbs other than fiber.

[PibbXtra08]

@bowulf

so you would suggest not eating that flavor? or any flavor?

[bowulf]

@PibbXtra08 My personal opinion is not have any bars or shakes during Induction. After Induction, you can choose for yourself and based upon your own continuing to lose whether or not to partake of these net impact carbs products. I have just seen way too many reports of stalls, and I would urge those on Induction to have the most successful weight loss as possible and avoid the most pitfalls.

[KeikoIncantatum]

Thank you

[Tomatomaten]

Thanks for a good video, there is just one thing that annoys me, its the belief that if you keep insulin in check, it will be better for fat loss. This simple isnt true.

"High levels of insulin are the result of obesity. They aren't the cause of obesity" (Quote from Malcom Gladwell, read his stuff for more info about the fallacy of the current weight loss culture)

[IdahoWeimGirl]

Thanks for the clarification. I almost got scammed into buying a tub of "4 net carb" icecream. I'll stick to my meat and veggies and the occational SF whipped cream and SF jello dessert!!!

[bowulf]

@Tonneskin I think what you saw is just another example of our broken label in the U.S. They probably meant it was a total of 9g of carbs and 4 net carbs. I looked elsewhere on the Internet, and it was approximately that on those sites.