Counting Carbs Question

Cece · #1 03-22-2003, 01:26 PM

I know that some of you do hard core carb counting and that fibre plays a big part when you count. How does that work? do you subtract a certain # of carbs for each gram of fibre? Is that how it's done? I'd read it somewhere in regards to breaking down a recipe but didn't give you the rationale behind it.

Cristy · #2 03-22-2003, 01:55 PM

I subtract the grams of fiber from the total carb content. For example if I eat something that has 10 grams of carbs total, and 5 grams of fiber then my "net carb" count is actually 5 (10 - 5). I've read that fiber doesn't get stored in the body, so my understanding is that it will clean you out as it passes through the digestive system. Many of the low/no carb diets use this method of counting carbs. For example, the Atkins diet states that you need only to count "net" carbs, which do not include fiber. I don't consider fiber extra carbs. The recommended intake of fiber is 25-30 grams a day. That means eating a lot of veggies and legumes, etc. I would not count that in my "overall" carb count. I'm sure someone else will respond with some good info on the subject. So to answer your question, I feel that you should subtract the fiber intake from you carb intake! Happy counting [img]/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Source 101 · #3 03-22-2003, 04:37 PM

Yup...I only count active carbs
total carbs minus fiber equals active carbs.

I don't count green, fiberous vegetables in my daily carb count at all.

Cece · #4 03-22-2003, 07:24 PM

Thanks you guys, I thought as much but didn't want to make assumptions. I probably won't count any "clean" carbs (veggies) then in my total intake.

So does that mean that if my brownies have 23 grams of carbs and I dump a cup of All Bran on top that they're carb free?????? [img]/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

SuRFaH808 · #5 03-23-2003, 09:57 PM

haha thats funni

lifterchick · #6 03-24-2003, 09:25 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Source 101 said:
I don't count green, fiberous vegetables in my daily carb count at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's really good information to know!!! There are days when the only complex carbs I have are my oatmeal in the morning and a sweet potato at lunch, yet my carb count on fitday is still between 100-150 because I eat a lot of green veggies and salad. I've been trying to incorporate carb cycling into my nutrition to see if I can jump start some fat loss but couldn't imagine how I could stand to go any lower than oatmeal and a sweet potato and not lose my mind!

If you are not counting these as carbs, do you include them in your daily calorie totals on a cut? I mean, I probably eat between 100-150 cals of green veggies some days. My usual choices are green beans, asparagus, broccoli, sugar snap peas, brussel sprouts, and salad greens. If I counted them as calories but didn't count the carbs, wouldn't that skew my macro ratios for the day, or am I missing something (always a real possibility [img]/forum/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]!).

soccerchick · #7 03-24-2003, 09:30 AM

hmm, all this is interesting. i always counted everything i ate... [img]/forum/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] so i don't need to count certain things like fiber at all in the carb total? what about the daily calorie total like lifterchick said?

#8 03-24-2003, 11:42 AM

Personally I just count everything, I think it's easier that way. It gets too confusing and makes more work IMO if you start trying to subtract stuff. Whatever works for you I guess. [img]/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

soccerchick · #9 03-24-2003, 12:09 PM

i find it easier to just count everything too... i think i will just stick with that.

simpler is best for me. [img]/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

lifterchick · #10 03-24-2003, 12:12 PM

Agreed! Unless, of course, it means I can eat more... [img]/forum/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]!