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: # www.mendosa.com # health.howstuffworks.com # thelanguageguy.blogspot.com # www.bodybuilding.com # www.geocities.com # www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com
@knarfster I am glad you figured out what works for you. Whenever I have had them as part of a dessert, bad things happen. If you can still lose with subtracting the SA’s as well, your CCLL is probably much higher as well. As a general rule though, they do probably cause more stalls than not, but that is just my perspective.
I have been using “sugar free” desserts lately and been subtracting the sugar alcohols from the Carbs (as well as the fiber) and so far I have not dropped out of ketosis. My favorite is the “mousse” by jello desserts. I have not experienced any gas or bloating, but a little gas doesn’t bother me as I need to have something sweet to offset all the meat I have been eating.
Thanx for the tips I will def keep an eye on things I have had only one so far and no ill side effects. I pretty much got them to fill my carb cravings during my low GI diet but im trying to go atkins.
In my mind, the surest method for success is 18g – 4g of fiber = 14g net carbs. Depending on the sugar alcohols, they can metabolize more or less into sugar. Some of them like maltitol are 60-75% digestible to glucose. They also can cause nasty gastointestinal side effects.
Now Atkins products are a bit better and have safer sugar alcohols, but they are still digestible to some point. I still recommend counting even them (and glycerin carbs) in the net carbs and still subtract only fiber.
Sooo? long story short the 18grams of carbs that are 11g sugar alcohol and 4grams fiber really only have 3 carbs right? (taking this from an atkins bar) thanx
This was extremely helpful.
Very wise approach…. You are definitely doing it the way the good doc wanted it done. I have to imagine he would shocked at how his story of shop the outer edges and enjoy the phyto-nutrients has been changed. Good job on the 10 pounds!
Thank you so much, Kent. I have restarted my Atkins journey after losing and then gaining 50 lbs. It has been one week and I’m 10 lbs down. More importantly I haven’t had aspartame or caffeine for a week! Thank you so much for inspiring me. This time around I am doing induction by the book and eating real food, not “low carb” Frankenfood. The only chemical I’ve ingested is Splenda in my Diet Rite, 3 or fewer cans a day, of course. Sugar alcohols and aspartame totally stall me. You rock!
I so glad I ran across you vlog. For years I followed one version or another of Atkins diets and heavily used artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are a deteriment to your health. Like it or not they are neurotoxins. Because of this I have suffered and am still suffering the negative side effects. Most are pesticides. Yes pesticides. Neurotoxins that can cause neurological problems, digestive disorders, brain damage, cancers, weight gain etc.. Your better off staying with whole foods.
As for the sugar alcohols and the sweets, I would suggest doing without them as much as possible. Focusing on natural sweets like fruits as much as possible. Do what you can and start exercising (as simple as bike riding or something fun outside), and at your age you can be successful.
You are looking at someone who swore he could never live without Diet Dew. I use to drink well over gallon per day. With Atkins I valued the benefits I was seeing more than the temporary pleasure of soda. I would suggest perhaps Atkins 2002 might be a bit too restrictive for a 13 year old, and perhaps a better course would be the Atkins for Life plan.
It is more about restricting the whites (sugar, flour, starches) in your diet while still eating roughly 80-120g per day.
Hey so im only 12 and i dont know if i can stick without having any sweets like sugar free ones..if i only subtract half of the sugar alcohols off and count carbs do you think i would like completly stop losing weight?
my goal is to lose 50 pounds by november (for my 13th birthday) so..what should i do?
and also i know you say the 3 sweetners limit but i put that much in a glass (2cups) of tea so..ya just give me some advice lol
Glad to hear you found the video helpful. There are way too many people that fall for the marketing hype and then wonder why they don’t achieve the results they want.
I’m glad I just found this, I tried atkins and had ill effects and have been afraid to try it since, now I realize its because of all the sugar alcohol, and caffiene I was intaking.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Great video and I look forward to your next one. Hey if you get a chance, stop by my channel and check out what I have going on. Let me know when you have something up
Sorry, I like flavor not filling.
im glad you ask its unprocessed and it feels you up etc. broccoli yuck
Why would I want to do that when I can eat a steak and broccoli with cheese?
just eat dirt has no carbs
Thanks for the reply. Thats about what i’ve been paying also…but i don’t have a local grocer that carries them.When ordering on-line I get jacked on shipping(about $100 mo.).
I’ll GOOGLE your advice on the flour, and post back with any low-carb culinary breakthroughs… lol! Thanks again, you’re dooing people a great service.
Sorry I have never seen it. The Shirataki noodles I purchase are $1.89 per package either at my local asian or regular grocer. That isn’t way out of order, but not having to pay shipping saves a lot.
As for the flour, look for glucomannan or konjac flour, and konjacfoods sells the a pound for $19.
I’ve tried the shirataki noodles…pretty good. Pretty expen$ive also. Been looking for shirataki root flour, but cant seem to find it(if it’s even available).Any idea where to find it?
Thanks for the comments… It is definitely a YMMV thing. I am typically someone who would rather eat food less processed than more, so Dreamfields is very rare occurrence for me. There are so many other ways to enjoy that pasta experience — shirataki noodles, spaghetti squash, faux rice, etc.
Re: Dream Fields pasta. I’ve noticed many people react differently it terms of blood sugar spikes and stalling weight loss. I would suggest poeple considering adding it to their diet should closly moniter their blood sugar levels in conjunction with Ketosis strips, to see how it affects you.
P.S. Love your videos.