Caution! Watch Out For The Net Carb Trap!

As a low carb dieter, you have probably been bombarded with all sorts of new food terminology. One of the phrases you've probably heard time and time again is "net carbs." Net carbs is the new term food producers are using to describe the amount of carbohydrates in food that have a significant impact on blood sugar levels.

Food producers use a relatively simple formula to determine net carbs. They take the total amount of carbohydrates and then subtract the amount of carbohydrates that have a "negligible" effect on blood sugar.

For instance, let's say a food producer makes a candy bar that contains 20 grams of carbohydrates. Two grams of those carbohydrates are in the form of fiber. Fifteen grams are in the form of various sugar alcohols. That makes a total of 17 grams of carbohydrates that have a "negligible" effect on blood sugar. Subtract 17 from 20 and you have your total amount of "net carbs"--three.

While the advent of "net carb" labels may seem like a godsend as a low carb dieter, it is important to realize that these labels are somewhat deceptive.

To begin with, different types of "negligible" carbohydrates have different effects on blood sugar levels.

Whereas fiber may have a truly negligible effect on blood sugar levels, sugar alcohols are an entirely different story.

According to experts, sugar alcohols affect blood sugar levels at a slower and less complete rate than normal sugars do-- and also in a different manner from person to person. Some diabetics claim that they feel an immediate sugar rush after consuming small amounts of sugar alcohol while others report no change whatsoever.

Whatever the case is for you, it is probably better to ignore the "net carb" labels on products--and instead go straight to the nutritional information panel. Figure out exactly why the product is "low carb."

If there are no sugar alcohols, you can eat the product without thinking twice; if the product has a significant amount of sugar alcohol, you should either skip it entirely or count each gram of the sugar alcohol as 1/4 to 1/3 of a gram of carbohydrates. If you follow this approach to assessing "net carbs," you will avoid unnecessary cravings and seemingly inexplicable weight-loss stalls.

Benji Paras runs http://www.list-of-low-carb-food.com, specializing in the benefits of the low-carb lifestyle. The site contains a treasure trove of information for losing weight, and includes a list of low carb foods along with informative articles and the latest low-carb headlines.

---

Gastric Bypass Surgery ? A Mortality Rate to Be Scared Of?

Success stories on the gastric bypass are everywhere, but how... Read More

Weight Loss Doesnt Work

Your brain has this really interesting system that is kind... Read More

Eating for Health, Happiness and Successful Weight Control

Don't diet, just eat and lose weight!First, the following "diet"... Read More

3 Easy Dieting Success Tips

1. Drink 8-10 glasses of water each dayOkay, for many... Read More

Approaches to the Treatment of Obesity and A Free Weight Loss Formula

The general approach for treatment of obesity is to suggest... Read More

Put Down That Brownie! Just One Bite Can Knock You Off Plan

It is very important for low carb dieters to stick... Read More

Dieting? What You Need to Know About Physical Activity

What is the best form of physical activity?The best form... Read More

Is Losing Weight The Same As Losing Fat?

Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More

Does A Quick Weight Loss Diet Really Work?

Only if you're trying to fool the scale on a... Read More

Yoga As An Aid To Weight Loss

Yoga is wonderful for nurturing a state of mental and... Read More

Weight Loss and Diet Programs - The Real Skinny on What Works Best!

Have you ever wondered with all the weight loss programs... Read More

Gastric Bypass Surgery - Weighing The Risks of Obesity Weight Loss Surgery

RISING POPULARITYGastric bypass surgery has become a popular surgical procedure... Read More

Survival Guide For Holiday Parties

If you have been watching your weight all year, you... Read More

Four Common Mistakes that Overweight People Make

I am a Registered Dietitian who has spent over 10,000... Read More

Atkins Diet ? Simple Advice

Just like any other diet, the Atkins diet can become... Read More

Carnitine Weight Loss Revealed: Why L-Carnitine Should Be The #1 Weight Loss Drug

Carnitine is simply the safest and healthiest supplement you can... Read More

Obesity is Big Business

Obesity and overweight, weight reduction and weight management therapies, miracle... Read More

Weight Gaining

I learned about gaining weight when I heard the question... Read More

How Julia Roberts Can Help You Lose Weight

How would you like Julia Roberts to coach you on... Read More

Top Thirty Weight Loss Tips and Tricks

Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More

Healthy Recipes for Low Carb Success

Using healthy low carb recipes are an important part of... Read More

Green Tea And Weight Loss

There's recently been a LOT in the weight loss news... Read More

Healthy Hydration

Water is an essential component of the human body and... Read More

The First Tragedy in a Lifetime of Weightloss

I am approaching 70 years of age very quickly and... Read More

You Dont Have to Stop Eating Out Because You Are On Diet

Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More

Motivation: Keeping the Fire Going in Your Fat Loss Plan

Motivation is a factor often overlooked when it comes to... Read More

The Jiggle Effect on Faster Weight Loss

Exercise Physiologists who study the effects of exercise on weight... Read More

Weight Loss: Carbs? Or No Carbs?

Dietitians just plain don't like low-carb or high-protein diets.Whether it's... Read More

Calculate Your BMI - Do You Need to Lose Weight?

There are a few different ways to determine if you... Read More

Movie Star Weight Loss Secrets ? Kathy Smiths Former Personal Trainer Speaks Out!

In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More

College Weight Gain

Students today are faced with the serious reality of unwanted... Read More

Weight Loss Through Low Carb Diet

Are you or your family members amongst the 65%?To help... Read More

Dont Be Misled. The Best Attitude and Action for Weight Loss

Weight loss can be one of the most difficult things... Read More