Realizing Harmony

I learned something new last night… the difference between Net Carbs (also known as Usable Carbs) and Total Carbs.

Total Carbs is what is often listed as the Carbohydrate content in the nutritional label of food packaging.  But your body doesn’t process all Carbs the same.

Total Carbs can be broken into three broad categories: Fiber, Sugars, and Sugar Alcohol.

Figuring out your Net Carbs from your Total Carbs is fairly simple.  Just subtract the Fiber and Sugar Alcohol from the Total.  What’s left (Sugars) is your Net Carbs.

When on a low-carb diet, what really counts is the Net Carbs.

So, while I’ve been on a low-carb diet and ignorant of this distinction, I’ve actually been getting less Carbs that count than I thought!  And now I understand why Lettuce counts as a Zero-Carb food.  (Its carbs are primarily fiber.)